Live Music This Week in DSM: Oct. 13 – 18, 2026

Don't miss this week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM)! 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. If you go to any shows, go to the venue’s online site and check for any changes, cancellations.

Be generous to musicians and waitstaff. They all need your support!

If you know of any venues that have live music in the area, that I’m not posting, please email Bryan.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Craig Swalwell Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
PeelingFlesh with GridIron, Outta Pocket, Grounds for Assault at Wooly's in Des Moines at 6:30 p.m.; $31.69
Schaffer the Darklord and Coolzey with Aeon Grey at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $17.73 (optional seating)
DSM Big Band at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $30 to $17 at tables, $15 bar seats
Blues Jam at Carl's Place in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
DSM Irish Session at Magee's Irish Pub & Eatery in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
Snarky Puppy at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $50.65 to $99.20
Mike Aceto at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Luke Fox at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Piano Man Richard Spierenburg at Chamberlain Pub at Wesley on Grand in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Damon Dotson on the patio at Gilroy’s Kitchen & Pub in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Jesse Roper with Ducharme-Jones at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $24.05 (optional seating)
Saxophonist Wayne Page & Co. at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
gymclassheroes & Lupe Fiasco at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee at 7:30 p.m. $31 to $172+
Open Jam at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Jason Mayer at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
“Chip Happens” - Chip Albright & Friends at Unity Center in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
CeCe Stewart at Chamberlain Pub at Wesley on Grand in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
An Evening With Geordie Greep at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $34.26
DAMAG3 with Film and Gender, Connor Cristi at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $18.94 (optional seating)
Tae & The Neighborly at Stoner Theater in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $25 to $200
KC Percussionist John Kizilarmut & Co. at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $20 at table, Free bar seat
Scorched Waves / Rutabaga at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Open Jam at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
Joshua Sinclair at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy in Dallas Center at 7 p.m.
Our House – A Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at The Ingersoll in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $138 includes dinner that starts at 5:30 p.m.
The Soul Searchers at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
MFKS at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Luke Thomas at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 16, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Fenimore Bros Vinyl Release Party with Night Bees/ Ben Hallow at Strychnine in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace and The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Brad Seindenfeld at Caffrey’s Sports Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
The Juan & Only at Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Jared Benson at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Big Joe Kinser Band at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Taylor King at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m. (food truck)
Steve Grismore at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
Danielle Nicole at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $34.26 and $45.10 (GA seated)
Tribute To Sonny Rollins with Damani Phillips at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $58 to $15 at tables, $24 bar seat
Miles Kean Trio at The Cave in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
JB Williams at Kelly’s Little Nipper in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Emily Meyers / Katie & the Honky Tonks at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Mastodon with Deafheaven, Alcest at The Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $56.45
Big Head Todd & The Monsters at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $56.30 to $88.95 (single tickets only) (resale also)
The Spooklights at xBk Live in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $18.94 (service fee added) (optional seating)
Decoy at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Keifer & Scott at Marv’s Mainstreet Dive in Norwalk at 8 p.m.
Hold On at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Mike Bernard at Brick & Ivy in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Rattlebox at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8:30 p.m.
The Other Brothers at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
Dustin Farrow & The Relics at Yacht Club in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
Yubu and the boys at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.
After Hours at Noce in Des Moines at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026

Lauren Igou, Zachary Freedom, Joe Demerath, Sam Pattison, Saints & Sinners at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines at 7 a.m.
Confluence Brewing in Des Moines – 14th Anniversary Party
- Chip Albright at Noon
- Harrison Ingham at 3:30 p.m.
- Ryne Doughty at 7 p.m.
Rob Lumbard at Blues With A Feeling at On With Life in Ankeny at 1 p.m.
Kris Karr at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels / Not Quite Brothers / Emo Kids at Winterset Cidery in Winterset from 4 – 10 p.m.; $30 (food trucks, vendors, bring chairs / blankets)
Bob Dorr & The Blue 2 at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Baberhood Bluegrass Band at Big Rack Brew Haus in Winterset at 6 p.m. (White Smoke BBQ available)
Wes Hoffman / The Slow Retreat / New Neighbors at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Coyote at Croatian Slavic Center in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
Yubu Band at Shiurley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
David Watson at Reclaimed Rails Brewing in Bondurant at 7 p.m.
Lucas Beebe at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
The Black Jacket Symphony Presents Bon Jovi’s ‘Slippery When Wet’ at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
Soulcage / Rapture / Wastegate at xBk Live in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $17.73 (fee included)(optional seating)
Heath Alan at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Mad Delirious at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 8 p.m.
Black Top at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Retroactive at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Royce Johns at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Peyton Burns at Marv’s Mainstreet Dive in Norwalk at 8 p.m.
Recoil at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 8:30 p.m.
Orphan Annie at Striking Sparrow Lounge in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
Red Dirt Renegade at Goodtimes in Ankeny at 9 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026

Lightcube at Local Bands, Brews & Bikes at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 1 p.m.
Malcolm Wells & The Two Timers at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
Devon Miller at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
Sean Sullivan at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
Boon & Lambert at Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Farm in Cumming at 3 p.m.
Yubu at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
Al Welsh at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
Stanley Simmons with The Velvet Daydream at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $18.94
Modern Joey / Unique Vibrationz at Locals Bat & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Dogstar with The Backfires at The Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $51.29
Jazz Night at The Contrary in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
BEAT: BelewithVai/Levin/Bozzio Performing the Music of King Crimson at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee at 8 p.m.

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