Live Music This Week in DSM: Sept. 23 – 28, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Mason Cole, Chris Falcon, Dogtown Rhythm Band, Latino Heritage Festival acts and Stardusters. Cheer on a sports team, shop local or visit your favorite attraction or event before or after enjoying the best live music in DSM.

This list is curated week-to-week by local music fan Bryan Farland. Visit The List – Live Music in DSM Area's Facebook page for more information.

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
• Panther Creek Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
• B. John Burns' "Robert Redford Dedication" Dinner Hour Livestream at 5 p.m.
• NOLA Jazz Trio at Latin King at 5:30 p.m.
• The Band Spam at Cruise In Car Shows at Sugar Shack Diner in Altoona at 5:30 p.m.
• Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace with Return to Dust at Casey's Center at 7 p.m.; $27 to $296
• Demon Hunter at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $37.79
• Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
• The Heligoats & Jake McKelvie with Clip Clop at The Lift at 7:30 p.m.
• Peach Pit with Miya Folick at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $49.65
• Tony Mcghee at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025

• Luke Fox at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Brian Congdon at Gray’s Station Paseo at 469 SW 12th St. in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Moonshine Bandits with Adam Whitehead, Chris Heaton, Yung Gin at Lefty’s at 6 p.m. (doors); $25 adv.
• Mason Cole at Either/Or at 6 p.m.
• Betsy Hickok / Ron Roberts / Wayne Page on the patio at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
• Joshua Sinclair on the patio at Gilroy’s Kitchen in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Giant Claw / Problems / Kyler Vande Kieft at xBk Annex at 7 p.m.; $15 + fees
• Lincoln Grimes at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
• Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
• Casey Peasley at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
• Joshua Sinclair at Polk City Town Square Farmers’ Market in Polk City at 4:30 p.m.
• Jordan Messerole outside of Magee’s in the The District in Ankeny at 5:30 p.m.
• Rob Lumbard at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Chris Falcon on the patio at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
• Sumpin Doo (with Doug Johnson) at Music in The Junction at Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Jessie & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Matthew Garcia on the patio at TrailSide Tap in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• Day’s Live Music – Treehouses at Twilight at Iowa Arboretum in Madrid at 6 p.m.; $25 (drink ticket, snacks)
• Mia Prosperi / Brian Gerald Bulger / Quinn Trilk at Lefty’s at 6:30 p.m.; $10
• Robert Deitch at Board & Batten LLC in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
• Zane Gedler & Co. at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.
• Blake Jack & South 35 Album Release at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 7 p.m.
• Open Jam with house band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
• Old Blind Dogs - Celtic Music at Franklin Center at 7:30 p.m.; $35
• Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Mustangs and the Sally’s at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Diamond Empire Band – DSM Showcase at 1350 SW Vintage Parkway in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
• Johnny Novacaine at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.
• Anthony Koester at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 26, 2025

• DSM Original Oktoberfest – Day 1 at The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny from 3 p.m. – Noon; $25 for two days
• Damon Dotson at Middlebrook Agrihood – Farm in Cumming at 4:30 p.m.
• Lena Adams at Klokkenspel Plaza in Pella at 4:30 p.m. (bring chairs)
• Dan’s Birthday Bash III - January / On Hiatus / Guss Royal / Delta / Claymore / Sordid / Your Last Breath / Ataraxis Movement / Dead Don’t Die at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $20 (Give You A Belly Belly BBQ available)
• Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace and the Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge at 5 p.m.
• Brad Seidenfeld at Caffrey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
• Willie James Shay at Sonny’s Pizza Bistro at 5:30 p.m.
• Fred Love & The Bakersfield Brawl at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
• Psycho X on the patio at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
• The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Alex Schroeder at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• Casey Joe Collins at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
• Robbie Michael at Firepit Fridays - Cellar Winery in Madrid at 6 p.m.
• Jordan Messerole at Speckled Hen Farms in Winterset at 6 p.m.
• Brian Herrin at B&B Theaters in Ankeny at 6:30 p.m.
• Bon Jecci at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
• Austin Snell with Brandon Wisham at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7p.m.; $27.49
• For Once In My Life: A Night Of Stevie, Luther, & More with Napoleon Douglas and The Dirty Lowdown at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $59, $49, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
• DSM Big Band Trio at The Cave at 7 p.m.
• Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
• Whiskey Bizkit at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
• Cavalera Chaos A.D. with Fear Factory, Byzantine, With Dead Hands Rising at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $45.01
• Lee Brice at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee at 7 p.m.; $54 to $123
• Ben Puttmann at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Dan Medeiros Project at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 7 p.m.
• Jana West & The RetroSpect Trio at Slater Station at 7 p.m.
• Robert Deitch at xBk Annex at 8 p.m.
• Sultry Hustler at The Lift at 8 p.m.
• Recoil at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• Sister Sara at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• Fast Dolly at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Chris Powell at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
• For Once In My Life: A Night Of Stevie, Luther, & More with Napoleon Douglas and The Dirty Lowdown at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m; $59, $49, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
• Dogtown Rhythm Band at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
• Casey Muessigmann at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9:30 p.m.
• Jordan Beem & John Griffiths at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.
• After Hours with Carson Parker at Noce in Western Gateway at 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025

• Cucho Madero, B. John Burns, Mike Walsh Band, Ben Sanders at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Historic Court District at 7 a.m.
• Latino Heritage Festival in Western Gateway Park – Day 1
  • Escaramuzas Infantiles at 10:30 a.m.
  • Estrellas de Jalisco at 11 a.m.
  • Konkultura at 11:45 a.m.
  • El Cowboy Band at 12:30 p.m.
  • Opening Ceremony at 1:30 p.m.
  • Son Peruchos at 2 p.m.
  • Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico at 3:30 p.m.
  • Los Llaneros at 4:15 p.m.
  • Aztec Dancers at 5:45 p.m.
  • Selekto Show at 6:30 p.m.
  • Jovenes Embajadores at 8 p.m.
  • Cumbre Nortena at 8:45 p.m.
• Joshua James Johnson at Bluegrass Matinee at Exile Brewing at 11 a.m.
• DSM Original Oktoberfest – Day 2 at The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny from Noon – Midnight; $25 for two days (a free drink)
• Tom Buckmiller – History of the Blues at DSM Public Library on Forest Avenue at 2 p.m.
• Malek’s Fishermenat Cellar Winery in Madrid at 2 p.m.
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at Speckled Hen Farms in Winterset at 3 p.m.
• Dukes of Haggard at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
• The Get Down at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
• Liv McNair at Wintersef Cidery in Winterset at 5 p.m.
• Jake McVey at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 5:30 p.m.
• Suede at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
• Fred Gazzo Quintet at Anna Dolce Ristorante in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Alex Schroeder on the patio at Fender’s Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• Missouri Mule at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
• Eric Church with Marcus King Band at Casey’s Center at 7 p.m.; $52 to $392
• Panda Bear with Deakin at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $38.83
• Anthony Orji Trio at The Cave at 7 p.m.
• Unforgiven at Croatian-Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
• Adam Kulmatycki Duo at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Pork Tornadoes - Sounds of Summer Concert at Johnston Town Center in Johnston at 7 p.m.
• High Country at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $10
• Des Moines Symphony performs Tchaikovsky 5 at Des Moines Civic Center at 7:30 p.m.; $20 to $80
• Greg Wheeler & the Poly Mall Cops with Arc Flash / Odd Prts at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $20 + fees DoS (seating options)
• Sara Routh at xBk Annex at 8 p.m.
• High Bidders at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• 5 Below at Locals Bar & Stage at 8 p.m.
• Dick Danger Band at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 8 p.m.
• The Punching Pandas at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 8 p.m.
• Dream Theater with Parasomnia, A Change of Season at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee at 8 p.m.; $71 to $217
• Reload at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Jason Wilbur & Dave Jacques (played 20 years for John Prine): John Prine - Songs and Souvenirs at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 8 p.m.; $45 Blanket Fort at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
• Final Mix at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 9 p.m.
• The Weasels at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025

• Latino Heritage Festival at Western Gateway Park – Day 2
  • Escaramuzas Infantiles at 10:30 a.m.
  • Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico at 11:15 a.m.
  • Sons of Bossa Nova at Noon
  • Aztec Dancers at 1 p.m.
  • Guitarras ATM at 1:45 p.m.
  • Jovenes Embajadores at 3 p.m.
  • Los Luzeros de Rioverde at 3:45 p.m.
• Fall Crawl at Winterset Cidery in Winterset
  • Corey Jamison at 11 a.m.
  • Opus Taylor Band at 2 p.m.
• Scott Davis & the Drama Kings at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
• Devon Miller at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
• Des Moines Symphony performs Tchaikovsky 5 at Des Moines Civic Center at 2:30 p.m.; $20 to $80
• Brazilian jam session with “Choro Moingona” at The Cave at 3 p.m.
• Dan & Quinn Trilk at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm in Cumming at 3 p.m.
• Ducktoberfest in the parking lot at The Ducktail Lounge
• Grain Powered Duo at 3:30 p.m.
• Jana West & RetroSpect at 5 p.m.
• Brian Herrin on the patio at Exile Brewing at 5 p.m.
• Tanner Taylor Organ Trio at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
• Stardusters at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
• Dave Moore at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 5 p.m.; $20
• Turnstile with Mannequin P*ssy, SPEED, Jane Remover at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.; $72.33
• Toad The Wet Sprocket and Vertical Horizon at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee at 7:30 p.m.; $64 to $140
• Open Jam/Mic at Locals Bar & Stage at 8 p.m.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.