Live Music This Week in DSM: Oct. 27 – Nov. 1, 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. 27, 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.
Jerry Beauchamp Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
Prince Daddy and the Hyena with Combat and Walter Etc. at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $25 (seating options available)
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.
Dan Jones & Friends at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
Jazz Night - Austin Brown Trio at The Lift in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
Clutch with Slomosa, Blood Vulture at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $46.13
Vincent Neil Emerson with Dax Lindholm at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $28.59

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Open Music Stage at Mickey’s Lounge in Waukee at 6 p.m.
The Claudettes at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 $15 (seating options available) Antonio Lopez & Co. at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Lincoln Grimes at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Open Mic Music Jam at 1833 Saloon in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Josiah Queen at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.; Resale: $94.12
All Them Witches with Emma Ruth Rundle at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $45.52
Open Jam at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Tyler Folkerts at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on 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.
Kenni Falls at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
Pat Bump & Julie Sillanpaa (The Bumps) at Bondurant Farmers’ Market in Bondurant at 6 p.m.
Jordan Beem at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
Ella Langley with Kameron Marlowe and Gabriella Rose at Casey’s Center in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $193 for the few seats left
Spite with Stick To Your Guns, No Cure, Vomit Forth at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $36.84
Steffen Heins Album Release Party with Andy Fleming at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $10 (seating options available)
The Lush Life: The Music of Billy Styrayhorn with The Tanner Taylor Trio at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $20 at a table
Mood Medication / Glass Knuckles / Votive at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Rock Jam at 1833 Saloon in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Joe Demerath at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy in Dallas Center at 7 p.m.
Scott Eggleston 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.
Johnny Novacaine at Yacht Club in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
Micah Wagner & Ted Stockton at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30, 2026

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace and The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
David Wayne Redfearn at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Sierra Griggs 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.
Ben Puttman at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Johnny Laws with Vince Cline & Tim Cooper at Ducktail Lounge in Clive at 6 p.m.
Mule at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Josh Sinclair at Halloween Party at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Katy Nichole with Emerson Day and Cade Thompson at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $34.26
Black Diamond Loons Halloween Show at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Kevin Best at Kelly’s Little Nipper in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Chirp / MFKS /at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Luke Fox at Walker’s Place in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Jack Curtis & The Travelers at The Cave in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
ERF Halloween at xBk Live in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $12 (optional seating available)
Tommy Doggett and Ben Mars at xBk Annex in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; Donations accepted.
Bad Friends at Nightmare On Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll) in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Toast3r at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Son of Gladys Kravitz at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
The Ice Pirates at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Jef Spradley – Halloween Party and Costume Contest at Brick & Ivy in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Back To Vinyl at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Cody Hicks Band at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 8:30 p.m.
The Ripoffs at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
Joe Inman at Halloween Bash at My Sister’s Place in Carlisle at 9 p.m.
El Desmadre at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.; $35.29
After Hours at Noce in Des Moines at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026

Will Hatchett, 4Neys, Annika Wilson, Joe Sorensen, Cucho Madero at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines at 7 a.m.
Luke Fox at SingleSpeed Brewing Co. DSM in Des Moines at 2 p.m.
Halloween Early Show - Pain’s Plaything / Crisis Child / Sordid / Dead Don’t Die at Strychnine in Des Moines at 4 p.m.; $10 (cash prizes)
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
Funhouse at Winterset Cidery in Winterset from 4-10 p.m.
The Soul Searchers at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Chris Carlisle at Big Rack Brew Haus in Winterset at 6 p.m.; $5 (White Smoke BBQ available)
Halloween with The Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra – Costume Contest at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $58 at one table left, $24 for 1 bar seat left
Procedure with Right Hand Red at Halloween Party at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
New Sins / Quick Piss / Muthur / Clip Clop at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Salt Creek at Croatian Slavic Center in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
Dirty Champagne at Costume Contest at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 7 p.m.
Hardway at Carlisle Watering Hole in Carlisle at 7 p.m.
Joshua Sinclair at Halloween Party at West Hill Brewing in Indianola at 7 p.m.
Beautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie Fantastique at Des Moines Civic Center in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $32.50 to $79.50
The Story So Far with The Starting Line, Ultra Q at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $61.09
Halloween Party with Night Stories, Traffic Death, Bat Problem at xBk Live in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $12
Open Swim – Halloween Party at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Encore Legends at Halloween Party at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8 p.m.
After Shock at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
SPAM Band Halloween Party at Sam’s Bar & Grill in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Fret Noise at Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
Ducharme-Jones Band at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8:30 p.m.
Halloween Late Show - Alien Farmhouse / Alex Kintzie / Dalton Nichols / Cameron McAllister at Strychnine in Des Moines at 9 p.m.; $10 (cash prizes)
Resurrection Mary /Hear for Tomorrow at Halloween Bash at 1833 Saloon in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
Jordan Beem at Halloween Party at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.; $15 ($4,700 in Cash and Prizes – $3,000 in cash, $1,700 in prizes
Orphan Annie at Marv’s Mainstreet Dive in Norwalk at 9 p.m.
Robbie Michael at Halloween Bash at Hawkeye Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 9 p.m.
Last Call withMax Wellman at Noce in Des Moines at 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026

Jake Schrodt at SingleSpeed Brewing in Des Moines at Noon
Jeni Grouws at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
Beautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie Fantastique at Des Moines Civic Center in Des Moines at 2:30 p.m.; $36.50 to $95.50
Tony McGhee at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
Gaylin Sudik & Friends at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
Brother Al with DJ Abilities at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $28.59
Diles Que No Me Maten with Mr. Softheart at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $15 (optional seating available)
Jazz Night at The Contrary in Des Moines at 8 p.m.

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