Live Music This Week in DSM: Dec. 2 – 7, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Basement Philosophers Society, DSM Big Band, Lorie Line, Heath Alan, Casey Peasley and Patricia Holly. 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, Dec. 2, 2025

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Dale Menning & the Stardusters at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
B. John Burns’ “Things I Did On My Snow Day” Dinner Hour Livestream at 5 p.m.
Young Talent Open Mic with Taylor King at Kelly's Little Nipper at 5 p.m.
Max Wellman's 16th Anniversary Home for the Holidays at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $68, $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
Basement Philosophers Society at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
Nicholas Roth – Keys to Excellence Piano Series at Sheslow Auditorium at Drake Universityat 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

Rev3rent with Habeas Corpus, Beyond Lobotomy, Ataraxis at Lefty’s at 5 p.m. (doors); $12 Adv.
Stan Dudley / Randy Ward Acoustic Duo at Chamblain Pub at Wesley on Grand at 5 p.m.
Youth Orchestra Fall Concert – Preludio Strings, Youth Sinfonia, and Youth Philharmonic at Staplin Performing Arts Center in West Des Moines at 5:30 p.m.
Brian Herrin at Stuffed Olive in Historic Court District at 6 p.m.
NOLA Jazz Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
Sounds of the Season with The DSM Big Band at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $68, $54, $36 at a table, $36 bar seat
Brother Trucker with mid-set guest Henry Rosner at Maggie’s Rumble Room at 7 p.m.
Blues Bureau at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
Open Jam at Locals Bar & Stage at 7 p.m.
Christmas with the Celts at Hoyt Sherman at 7:30 p.m.; $39 to at 81
Youth Orchestra Fall Concert – Youth Symphony and Youth Wind Ensemble at Staplin Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.
David Watson at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Kenni Falls at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
Jessie & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
Maxwell Schaeffer at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
Christmas with Lorie Line at Hoyt Sherman Place in Sherman Hill at 7 p.m.; $79.70
Josh Meloy with Trenton Fletcher at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $33.15
Backhand Blue at xBk at 7 p.m.; $23 DOS + Fees (seating options)
Max Wellman’s 16th Anniversary Home for the Holidays at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
The Soul Searchers at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
Silversonic at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Open Jam with house band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
DSM Irish Session at Murph & Mary’s Pub in Newton at 7 p.m.
Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy in Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Rural Route at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 5, 2025

Heath Alan at Mainframe Studios First Friday at 5 p.m.
Another Enemy / Source of Fire / Enemy of Man / Losing Dice / True Commando at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $15
Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge at 5 p.m.
The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Andrew Hoyt at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
All I Want For Christmas: Gina Gedler at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Luke Fox at Captain Roy’s at 7 p.m.
Kevin Lingren at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
Sonic Titans at VFW Beaverdale at 7 p.m.
Joshua Sinclair at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Casey Peasley at Pally’s Bar & Grille in Clive at 7 p.m.
Drew Fry at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
Fret Noise at Ugly Sweater Party at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
The Sheet at Reclaimed Rails in Bondurant at 7 p.m.
Scott Davis Duo at The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar at 7:30 p.m.
Advanced Base at Locals Bar & Stage at 7:30 p.m.
The Nadas at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.; $33.15
Heath Alan at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
Grind at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Anthony Koester Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Dirty Champagne at Ugly Sweater Party at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Brian Herrin at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
Midnight Radio at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8:30 p.m.
All I Want For Christmas: Gina Gedler at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $59, $49, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
This Is For Lefty’s – Showcase: Snake Lucci / ATM / Schwem / Hallowed Hive / Bigg Ray West / Dessy X / Meepmode at Lefty’s at 9 p.m.; $10
Blake Jack & South 35 at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

Open Mic jam with the Chuggaluggers at 1833 Saloon at 3 p.m.
Jessie & The Medicine Men at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
Wrestling With Wolves / Happy Thoughts / TV Cop at Lefty’s at 5 p.m. (doors); $10
Steve Grismore Trio featuring Holiday Favorites at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
Unforgiven at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 6 p.m.; $10
Dickie with The Carousel and Rutabaga at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $15 DOS + Fees (optional seating)
Matt Woods Band at Captain Roy’s at 7 p.m.
Country River at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
Yubu Band at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Taylor King at Brightside Aleworks in Altoona at 7 p.m.
Kent Atha at Mom’s Maxwell at 7 p.m.
Display Case / More Cheese / Pull String at Locals Bar & Stage at 7:30 p.m.
Southbound at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
Dick Danger Band at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 8 p.m.
Orphan Annie and the Hot Mess at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Gikikk at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
The Detour Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Casey Peasley at Osceola Eagles Club at 8 p.m.
Final Mix Show Band at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 8:30 p.m.
BitterSweet Nation at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
Max Wellman’s 16th Anniversary Home for the Holidays at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $59, $49, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
Casey Joe & The Ghosts / Banjokat & The Sit-Ins / Canby (solo) at Lefty’s at 9 p.m. (doors); $10
Jordan Beem & Mike Moody and the Outlaws at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 9 p.m.; $5

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

Malcolm Wells and The Two Timers at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
All I Want for Christmas: Gina Gedler at Noce in Western Gateway at 3 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Apathy Syndrome / Heir of Sorrow / Stretched Thin / Swing Youth at Lefty’s at 5 p.m. (doors); $15
All I Want for Christmas: Gina Gedler at Noce in Western Gateway at 5 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Wayne Page with Mark Lawson & Steve Charlson at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
Bob Fields & Swingtime at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
Patricia Holly Album Release at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $20 DOS + Fees (optional seating)
Tina Haase Findlay & The Thankful Band – Holiday Concert at Salisbury House at 7 p.m.; $65
Chiodos with Hawthorne Heights, Holywatr at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $50.16

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.

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.