The Greater Des Moines Story: Greater Des Moines Buzz

live music in Greater Des Moines
September 15, 2026
By: Amelia Klatt

Live Music This Week in DSM: Sept. 15 – 20, 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, Sept. 15, 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.
  • Tom Hofer & The Iowa Playboys at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
  • Holly & Bochert at the Beaverdale Farmers' Market in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
  • Dennis Kane at the Johnston Farmers’ Market in Johnston at 4 p.m.
  • Jesse & The Medicine Men at Adel Farmers' Market in Adel at 4 p.m.
  • B. John Burns' "Famous Last Words" Dinner Hour Livestream at 5 p.m.
  • Machine Head at Wooly's in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • DSM Big Band at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $30 to $17 at tables, $15 bar seats
  • Locker & Co. at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Blues Jam at Carl’s Place in Des Moines at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 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.
  • The Juan & Only at Waukee Farmers’ Market on The Triangle in Waukee at 4 p.m.
  • Zane Gedler & Co. at Surety Hotel in Des Moines iat 5 p.m.
  • Luke Fox at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Chris Powell on the patio at Gilroy’s Kitchen & Pub in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Brian Allen on the patio at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 6 p.m.
  • Jordan Messerole at Live From the Gilded Palace at 7 p.m.
  • Emarosa with VEAUX and dreamfone at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $30.97
  • Tyler Utter & Co. at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Open Mic Jam at 1833 Saloon in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Joshua Sinclair at Revel Hotel in Urbandale at 7 p.m.
  • Open Jam at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
  • Triple J’s at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
  • Jake Schrodt at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026

  • Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
  • Stardusters - Afternoon Dance at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 1 p.m.; $13
  • Patricia Holly at Polk City Farmers’ Market on the Square in Polk City at 4 p.m.
  • Kris Karr at Soumas Courtyard – Hotel Pattee in Perry at 4:30 p.m.
  • Jake Schrodt at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines at 6 p.m. (Los Compadres Food Truck)
  • CeCe Stewart at Chamberlain Pub at Wesley on Grand in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Gut Feeling at Music In The Junction & Farmers Market at Valley Junction in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Jesse & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
  • DSM Metro Opera in The Park at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 6:30 p.m. (food trucks)(bring chairs, BYOB)
  • JMSN with Jim Swim at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $30.97 (price & fees) (optional seating)
  • Dickie with Joel Sires at Stoner Theater in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $20
  • Mitch Towne & Co. at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $20 at tables
  • Castle / Bat Problem / Quade at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $15
  • Alternative Rock Jam: (Hosts Jessica ”Fred” Fredregill and Braylon Westbrook at 1833 Saloon in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Open Jam Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
  • DSM Irish Session at Brightside Aleworks in Altoona at 7 p.m.
  • Jordan Messerole at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy in Dallas Center at 7 p.m.
  • Buddy Holly: Oh Boy! at The Ingersoll in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $138 includes dinner that starts at 5:30 p.m.
  • The Souls 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.
  • Jordan Beem at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
  • Cody Hicks at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 18, 2026

  • Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
  • Oktoberfest at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines (Day 1) includes Kinder Zone, Yard Games, Food Vendors
    • Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band at 3 p.m.
    • Jim Kucera Band at 6:30 p.m.
  • The Blue 2 +1 at 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.
  • Joshua Sinclair at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • Brad Seidenfeld at Caffrey’s Sports Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
  • Beaverdale Fall Festival in Des Moines (Day 1) Rhythmic Rewind Band at Main Stage at 5:30 p.m.
    • Ducharme-Jones at Community Stage at 5:30 p.m.
    • Danny Porter at Dam Pub Back40 Patio at 6 p.m.
    • Faculty Lounge at Holy Trinity Stage at 7 p.m.
    • Sons of Gladys Kravitz at Christopher’s Stage at 7 p.m.
    • Bad Friends at Goodson’s Stage at 7 p.m.
    • River City Opry at Main Stage at 8:30 p.m.
    • Street Dance Community Stage at 8:30 p.m.
  • Velvet Trio at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines at 6 p.m. (Peggy O’s food truck)
  • The On Offs at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • The Juan & Only at Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Rural Route at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Steffen Heins at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
  • Jesse & The Medicine Men at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m. (food truck)
  • MANCAT at Murph & Mary’s Pub in Newton at 6 p.m.
  • Flying Silos at Music at the Meridian in West Des Moines at 6 p.m. (patio seating + bring chairs)
  • ENSIFERUM with Firewind, Green Death at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $39.94
  • That’ll Be The Day: Gina Gedler Sings Linda Ronstadt at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $58 to $15 at tables, $24 bar seats
  • Grain Powered Duo at Kelly’s Little Nipper in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Solburn / Morgana & The Damned Saints at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Flyte Risk at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 7 p.m.
  • Mitchell Tenpenny with Jake Banfield at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $40.97
  • Night Ranger at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee at 7:30 p.m.; $53 to $141
  • Kevin Atwater with Ruby Plume at xBk Live in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $22.54 (fee included) VIP available) (Optional seating)
  • Cover That at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
  • Kinda Petty at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
  • Neva Alden at Brick & Ivy Rooftop in Altoona at 8 p.m.
  • Jake Schrodt at Marv’s Mainstreet Dive in Norwalk at 8 p.m.
  • Kevin Lindgren at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
  • Neil Hewitt at Drifters in Bouton at 8 p.m.
  • Not Sisters at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
  • Dustin Farrow & The Relics at Yacht Club in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
  • After Hours at Noce in Des Moines at 9:30 p.m.
  • Joe & Tay at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026

  • Will Hatchett, Crawling Kingsnake, Anthony Koester, Aria & Jocelyn, The Day Of at Downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines at 7 a.m.
  • Ingrid Oakley at Uptown Ankeny Farmers’ Market in Ankeny at 8 a.m.
  • Oktoberfest at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines (Day 2) includes Kinder Zone, Yard Games, Food Vendors
    • Happy Players at Noon
    • Drunk & Troubled at 3:30 p.m.
    • Amana Colony Folksingers at 5 p.m.
    • Schnitzel Brothe rs Bier Band at 7 p.m.
  • Beaverdale Fall Festival in Des Moines (Day 2)
    • Dirty Nasty Beats at Main Stage at 1 p.m.
    • School of Rock & Pumpkin Dance at Community Stage at 2 p.m.
    • The Finesse at Main Stage at 3:30 p.m.
    • Greg Wheeler & Poly Mall Cops at Main Stage at 5 p.m.
    • June Bugs DSM at Community Stage at 5:30 p.m.
    • Danny Porter at Dam Pub Back40 Patio at 6 p.m.
    • Vinyl Five at Holy Trinity Stage at 6 p.m.
    • The Other Brothers at Main Stage at 6:30 p.m.
    • Stark Raving Madge at Christopher’s Stage at 7 p.m.
    • Chris Falcon and the SpaceTime Continuum at Goodsons Stage at 7 p.m.
    • Sharane Calister & The Feel Right Band at Main Stage at 8 p.m.
    • Trio Aceto at Community Stage at 8:30 p.m.
  • Brother Trucker at Kindness for Miles Ride (Bullying and Suicide Prevention) at Truman’s Pizza Tavern in Des Moines at Noon – 3 p.m.
  • Dukes of Haggard at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
  • Mike Moody & the Outlaws at Prairie Meadows in Altoona – Track apron at 4:30 p.m.
  • A Tribute to the Life and Music of Matt Handley – Monday Mourners, Clarence Tilton and others at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • The Juan & Only at Cowboy Mexican Bar & Grill in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Bob Pace at The Hills Bar & Grill in Altoona at 6 p.m.
  • Jenny Kohls Band at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
  • Hattrick at Carlisle Bike Night in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Scott Lemon at Big Rack Brew Haus in Winterset at 6 p.m. (White Smoke BBQ available)
  • NOLA Jazz Band at Noce in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $58 to $15 at tables, $24 bar seats
  • Tim & Jana West at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Muther / Doc Bullfrog / Glass Knuckles 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
  • Robbie Michael at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
  • Back to Vinyl at Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield at 7 p.m.; $25
  • Logan Metz with Trevor Sensor at xBk Annex in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $15.32 (fee added)
  • Joey Harkum with Beggars’ Bargain at xBk Live in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $22.54 (fee added)
  • Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
  • RetroActive at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 8 p.m.
  • Blanket Fort at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
  • Bruce Day at Marv’s Mainstreet Dive in Norwalk at 8 p.m.
  • Jesse & The Medicine Men at Osceola Eagles in Osceola at 8 p.m.
  • The Weasels at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
  • Blade Rave at Wooly’s in Des Moines at 9 p.m.; $28.59
  • Last Call with Max Wellman at Noce in Des Moines at 9:30 p.m.
  • Big Hair Mafia at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026

  • Oktoberfest at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines (Day 3) including Kinder Zone, Yard Games, Food Vendors
    • New Jolly German Band at Noon
    • Barefoot Becky at 2:30 p.m.
  • Dogtown Rhythm Band at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
  • 2nd Annual Cherry Open Jam at Shelter 3 at Jester Park in Granger at 2 p.m.
    • PA system, drum kit, Chef Fletch on the grill with hot dogs and hamburgers all provided) BYOB and side dishes
    • Route inside park: Past the nature center -> right at stop sign -> left at the 1-mile Y intersection -> first shelter on the right.
  • Jake Schrodt at Kippy’s Place in Elkhart at 2 p.m.
  • Dan Medeiros at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
  • Corey Jamison at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
  • Banjo Kat at Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Farm in Cumming at 3 p.m.
  • Jason Erickson-Reed at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
  • Sons of Gladys Kravitz outside at Ducktoberfest at The Ducktail Lounge in Clive at 4 p.m.; $10 (bring chairs) (food truck)
  • Christopher Miller at Exile Brewing in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • Joshua Sinclair at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 5 p.m. (food trucks)
  • Sentimental Swing at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
  • BOG Rewind – Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind at xBk Live in Des Moines at 6 p.m.; $25 ($20 CIBS members)
  • Piano Bar Night with Piano Man Richard Spierenburg at Board & Batten LLC in Dallas Center at 6 p.m.
  • ‘Spanish Romance” Andrew Blanch (Australian guitarist) and Maria Eugenia Nieva (Argentinian mezzo-soprano) at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $30/$40
  • Jazz Night at The Contrary in Des Moines at 8 p.m.

Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.

Amelia Klatt Headshot
Amelia Klatt

Amelia Klatt is the Director of Events for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Her background working with nonprofit organizations has led to skills as a relationship builder and events professional. Klatt received her MPA from Drake University in 2019.

Related Greater Des Moines Buzz Stories

Fly Iowa Festival 2026 to Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary at Winterset Municipal Airport

See military and vintage aircraft in Madison County on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Beaverdale Fall Festival Returns Sept. 18–19 with a New Stage and BBQ Showdown

Along with the BBQ contest, the Beaverdale Fall Festival is debuting a brand new Community Stage featuring live music alongside a reimagined Main Stage.
5 Ways to Get Out and Explore Greater DSM This Week: Sept. 11-17

Explore DSM this week with live music, vintage and thrifted finds, family bowling, farm festivals and more.