Live Music This Week in DSM: May 26 – 31, 2026

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes D.R.I. with Deathwish, Drew Fry, Annika Wilson, Mountain Alice, Brody & Cooper and Kris Karr. 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, May 26, 2026

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Piano Man Richard Spierenburg in the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Company's Comin' at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
Belin Quartet at Salisbury House & Gardens in Des Moines at 5:30 p.m.
SPAM at Cruise In Car Show at Sugar Shack Diner in Altoona at 5:30 p.m.
Jaguar Sun with The Carousel at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $ 22.54 (price & fees) (seating options)
DSM Big Band at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $30 to $17 at table, $15 bar seat
Blues Jam at Carl’s Place in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
New Neighbors / Mrs Nezbitt / The Slow Retreat / On Hiatus at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
John Till & John Waite at xBk Annex in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $15 + fees
Dan Jones & Friends at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
Austin Brown Trio at The Lift in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg in the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
David Watson at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Chris Powell at Gilroy’s Kitchen & Pub & Patio in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
The Soul Searchers at Cumming Tap in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Live Music at Bondurant Farmers’ Market in Bondurant at 6 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Barn Dance at 1850 Homestead in Cambridge at 6 p.m.
Trumpeter Scott Davis & Co. at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Lincoln Grimes and Kevin Best at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Open Jam at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Open Mic Night with Mike Aceto at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 7 p.m.
Chris Novak at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg in the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
CeCe Stewart at Chamberlain Pub at Wesley on Grand in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Blake Jack and Jordan Beem at Jasper Winery in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
The Drama Kings at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Dan Trilk at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
(Los Compadres Food Truck) Surf Zombies at Music in the Junction & Farmers’ Market in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
Dakota on the rooftop patio at Destination Grille in Grimes at 6 p.m.
Josh Sinclair at Trailside Tap in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
Thelma & the Sleaze with Allegra Hernandez and Morgana Moon & The Damned Saints at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $15.32 (price + fees) (seating options)
KC Trombonist Marcus Lewis with His Quintet at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $25 at some tables, $free seating
Harrison Ingham at Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Open Jam at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
BreAnne Stone at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy in Dallas Center at 7 p.m.
Scott Eggleston at The Greenwood Lounge in at 8 p.m.
MFKS at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
The Sheet at Bix & Co. in West Des Moines at 8:30 p.m.
Anthony Koester at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, May 29, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg in the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Joshua Sinclair for Fridays at Middlebrook Farm in Cumming at 4:30 p.m.
Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace and The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Joe Demerath at Truman’s Pizza in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Alex Schroeder at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Chris Evers at Caffrey’s Sports Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
Recoil at Food Truck Fridays at Campbell Park in Clive at 5:30 p.m.
Psycho X at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines at 6 p.m. (Peggy O’s food truck)
Brittany Sword at Paws & Pints in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Robbie Michael at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 6 p.m. (or 7 p.m.?)
Justin Goodchild at Zeke’s Rooftop & Grill in Johnston at 6 p.m.
Standing Hampton at Chill on the Hill at Copper Creek Lake Park at Pleasant Hill at 6 p.m.; $12 includes drink ticket
Austin “Oz” Mattison at The Hills Bar & Grill, Pleasant Hill at 6 p.m.
Jeremy Alvarez and James Biehn at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Johnny Laws and Vince Kline at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Sips & Songs in The District – Prairie Trail in Ankeny
- The People's Band at 6 p.m.
- The Pork Tornadoes at 8 p.m.
- Silent Disco at 10 p.m.
Final Mix Show Band at Soggy Frog Marina Bar at Saylorville Lake in Polk City at 6 p.m.
Touch of Grey at B&B Theaters in Ankeny at 6:30 p.m.
Tom Box at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
Alpha Wolf with Gideon, Mugshot, & Resolve at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $35.29
The Ripoffs at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Lady Revel with Dirty Blonde & Kibble at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Nick Leo (Latin Jazz Quartet) at The Cave in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
The Drama Kings at Kelly’s Little Nipper in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Unplugged Show at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $5/$8 (40+ people only) (first draft beer is on the house)
- Bugz Benson at 7 p.m.
- Casey Peasley at 7:45 p.m.
- Yellow #5 at 8:20 p.m.
Southern Rain Band at Talk Shop Lounge in Saint Charles at 7:30 p.m.; $5
Arnelia Day with Rutabaga at xBk Live in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $18.94 (price & fees)
The Sons and Sara at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 8 p.m.
FunHouse at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
The Remedy at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Randy Burk at Murph & Mary’s Pub in Newton at 8:30 p.m.
Matt Terronez Band at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
After Hours at Noce in Des Moines at 9:30 p.m.
Anthony Koester Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Saturday, May 30, 2026

Jeff Stagg, Cucho Madera, Tom Hofer, BrassBlastBrassBand at Downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines at 7 a.m.
Adam Kulmatycki Duo at Annie’s Irish Pub at Noon Open Mic Jam with The Chuggaluggers at 1833 Saloon in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
Mugshot at Kelly’s Little Nipper in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
Saints & Sinners at Revelton Distillery in Osceola at 4 p.m.
Jake Schrodt at 1908 Draught House in Norwalk at 5 p.m.
Brittany Sword Duo at Soggy Bottom Marina Bar in Polk City at 5 p.m.
Encore Legends at Mean Machine Cycles & Beers in Elkhart at 5 p.m.
Vida Sisters & John C at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Heath Alan at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 6:30 p.m.; $5
Meet Me at The Alter with Flourecents, Look at Me at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $28.59
The Guilty Pleasures and Super 8 at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $18.94 (price + fees) (seating options)
Joe & Jobim with Avianna Gedler at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $68 to $38 at tables, $32 bar seats
Dogtown Rhythm Band at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
SP3 Duo (Haugland / Pellow) at Pal Joey’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Star Funeral at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Salt Creek at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
Tim & Jana West at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Joe Demerath at The Other Place in Clive at 7 p.m.
Robbie Michael - On The Patio at Hawk Heaven in Altoona at 7 p.m.
Derek Jones & the 50 South at Talk Shop Lounge in Saint Charles at 7 p.m.; $10
Luke Fox at Mullets Uptown in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
Erik Wright at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
Unforgiven at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $10
Jason Ringenberg at xBk Annex in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $17.73 (price + fees)
James Biehn Band at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Kenni Falls at Walker’s Place in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
BitterSweet for Toni’s Bday Celebration at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Rural Route at Drifters in Bouton at 8 p.m.
Houston Fry at Just One More in Jamaica at 8 p.m.
Chris Falcon at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
The Savage Freds at Good Times in Ankeny at 9 p.m.
Last Call with Max Wellman at Noce in Des Moines at 9:30 p.m.
Zachary Freedom Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Trio Aceto at Local Bands, Bikes and Brews at Des Moines Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 1 p.m.
Chris Powell at Soggy Bottom Marina Bar in Polk City at 1 p.m.
Decoy at Truman’s Pizza in Des Moines at 2 p.m.
Opus Taylor at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
Luke Fox at Kippy’s Place in Elkhart at 2 p.m.
Rural Route at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
Jake Schrodt at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
Brazilian jam session with “Choro Moingona” at The Cave in Des Moines at 3 p.m.
Mountain Alice at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm in Cumming at 3 p.m.
Mirah with The Host Country at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
The Sinclairs at Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop in West Des Moines at 4 p.m.
Tom Pevear at Exile Brewing in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Sentimental Swing at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 $13
West Connection at Haines Park in Altoona at 6 p.m.
Spineshank with (hed) p.e., Primer 55, Oceans On Other Planets, Apathy Syndrome at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 6:30 p.m.; $39.94

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