The Setlist: Live Music in Des Moines for Fall 2026
The Setlist is your cheat sheet for must-catch concerts and shows in Greater Des Moines. Go ahead and check, check what’s worthy of an encore.
September
Black Veil Brides at Val Air Ballroom
Break out the eyeliner: Black Veil Brides are bringing their theatrical brand of rock to the Val Air Ballroom on September 8. Expect soaring guitars, dramatic energy and enough black clothing to make a Des Moines September night feel delightfully gothic. Get your tickets here.
Pokey Lafarge at Wooly’s
Pokey LaFarge brings his rootsy sound to Wooly’s on September 13 for a night that feels like Americana got dressed up for a night on the town. With plucky rhythms, Southern soul and indie-folk flair, his music is toe-tapping with the perfect amount of twang. Get your tickets here.
Gary Clark Jr at Val Air Ballroom
Blues-rock powerhouse Gary Clark Jr. rolls into Val Air Ballroom on September 21, bringing plenty of guitar strummin’ with him. His sound blends blues, rock, soul, and a little bit of grit, or in other words, the musical equivalent of ordering the good bourbon. Get your tickets here.
Bowling for Soup at Val Air Ballroom
Bowling for Soup’s gloriously goofy pop-punk energy will be at Val Air Ballroom on September 22. Prepare for a nostalgic singalong to "1985”; the kind of night where your inner 2000s teenager gets the aux cord. Get your tickets here.
Gogol Bordello at Wooly’s
Founded on Eastern European and Romani music traditions, Gogol Bordello brings an eclectic fusion of punk rock, folk, dub, and cabaret. This chaotic energy will light up Wooly’s on September 24, for a music experience truly unlike any other. Get your tickets here.
Bleachers at Vibrant Music Hall
Top music producer, Jack Antonoff, is bringing Bleachers, Hinterland 2025 alumni, back to Iowa at Vibrant Music Hall on September 25. Hear global sensations like “I Wanna Get Better”, “Modern Girl”, and “Rollercoaster” live right here in the Des Moines metro. Get your tickets here.
Highly Suspect & Yelawolf at Vibrant Music Hall
From Massachusetts, the American rock band, Highly Suspect, is making a stop in Waukee at Vibrant Music Hall on September 27. This Grammy-nominated hard rock band is known for songs like “Lydia” and “My Name Is Human”. Get your tickets here.
October
Afroman at Val Air Ballroom
Expect laid-back hip-hop, comedy, and the kind of party where nobody is taking themselves too seriously when Afroman takes the stage at Val Air Ballroom on October 1. Basically, leave your dignity at the door and get ready for a night of “Because I Got High” energy. Get your tickets here.
Clint Black: Back On the Blacktop Tour at Vibrant Music Hall
Classic country star, Clint Black, is back on tour (and on the blacktop), extending his dates through this season. On October 2, head to Vibrant Music Hall to hear top music charting songs like “A Better Man”, “Killin’ Time”, and other ballads and groove getters. Get your tickets here.
Lauren Alaina at Hoyt Sherman Place
Country star Lauren Alaina brings her Stages Tour to Hoyt Sherman Place on October 2, serving up big vocals and even bigger country charm. She’ll mix new music with the fan favorites that helped make her a country powerhouse, with special guest Shane Profitt. Get your tickets here.
Zach Top at Casey’s Center
Zach Top is bringing his throwback-meets-modern country sound to Casey’s Center on October 8 on his “Cold Beer & Country Music Fall Tour”. With Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives along for the ride, expect plenty of twang, steel guitar, and songs that practically demand a cold one (hence the name). Get your tickets here.
Queen Flash: The Ultimate Tribute Band at Finish Line Show Lounge
Queen Flash takes over Prairie Meadows’ Finish Line Show Lounge on October 10 for a night dedicated to the legendary sound of Queen. Freddie Mercury energy is encouraged; actual mustache ownership is optional. Get your tickets here.
Gym Class Heroes & Lupe Fiasco at Vibrant Music Hall
Suddenly the year is 2011 and “Stereo Hearts” is blasting on your local FM radio station. Relive your early 2010's on October 14 at Vibrant Music Hall as Gym Class Heroes & Lupe Fiasco hit the stage for a reunion you won’t want to miss. Best part? This show also features special guest, B.o.B, to give you a total throwback. Get your tickets here.
Stanley Simmons at xBk Live
The sons of KISS rock legends, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, are making their debut, and you don’t want to miss it. Their newly released album, Dancing While The World Is Ending, has ignited their 2026 U.S tour with a stop at xBk Live on October 18. Get your tickets here.
Thomas Rhett at Casey’s Center
Global country sensation, Thomas Rhett, is center stage at Casey’s Center on October 22, and country fans have officially found their fall plans. Grab your boots, your best concert buddy, and your most enthusiastic “yee-haw”, because this one is going to be a big one. Get your tickets here.
Thundercat at Val Air Ballroom
Thundercat brings his wildly inventive blend of funk, jazz, soul, and R&B to the Val Air Ballroom on October 26. Known for his virtuosic bass playing and genre-bending sound, he’s the perfect pick for anyone who likes their concerts a little on the weird side. Get your tickets here.
Ella Langley at Casey's Center
A surprise to everyone, country music rising star, Ella Langley extended her tour to add a stop in Des Moines at Casey’s Center on October 29. She gained national attention through her viral social media performances, and her music almost instantly rose to the top after gaining a massive following in a mere matter of weeks. Tickets are nearly gone, get yours here.
November
Daughtry at Hoyt Sherman Place
Daughtry kicks off November with a stop at Hoyt Sherman Place on November 1 as part of the band’s 20 Years Unplugged Tour. Expect stripped-down versions of the hits like “It’s Not Over”, “Home”, and “Over You”, big Chris Daughtry vocals and plenty of early-2000's nostalgia. Get your tickets here.
Kurt Vile & The Violators at Wooly’s
Indie-rock favorite Kurt Vile and The Violators take over Wooly’s on November 10 for a night of hazy guitars and effortlessly cool vibes. Consider it the musical equivalent of putting on your favorite vintage jacket and sipping on your preferred local IPA. Get your tickets here.
Larry Fleet at Hoyt Sherman Place
Country singer-songwriter Larry Fleet brings his soulful, Southern-tinged sound to Hoyt Sherman Place on November 13. His blend of country, rock, and soul is made for big singalongs and even bigger feelings. Get your tickets here
Supreme Girls of Motown at Finish Line Show Lounge
Get ready for a night of powerhouse vocals, polished choreography, and classic Motown magic at Prairie Meadows’ Finish Line Show Lounge on November 14. The Supreme Girls of Motown bring the timeless sounds of the Detroit era to center stage. Tickets on sale soon!
Andy Grammer at Hoyt Sherman Place
Andy Grammer brings his Greater Than Pt. II: A One Man Show to Hoyt Sherman Place on November 17. The intimate performance mixes acoustic music, storytelling and plenty of his famously uplifting pop anthems like “Honey I’m Good”, “Keep Your Head Up”, and more. Get your tickets here.
The Living Tombstone at Val Air Ballroom
Internet-born and genre-bending sound takes on another name at Val Air Ballroom on November 18. Known for turning gaming culture, electronic music, and rock into one gloriously chaotic package, The Living Tombstone is anything but your average concert experience. Get your tickets here.
Zac Brown Band at Casey’s Center
One of the most anticipated concerts of the year, Zac Brown Band brings its Love & Fear Tour to Casey’s Center on November 20, with Grace Potter. Expect country-rock favorites and massive singalongs to hits like “Chicken Fried”, “Toes”, and “Colder Weather”. Get your tickets here.
Kenny G at Hoyt Sherman Place
Smooth-jazz legend Kenny G brings his unmistakable saxophone sound to Hoyt Sherman Place on November 21. With a career spanning five decades and more than 75 million records sold, he has more than earned the right to make one saxophone solo last as long as he wants. Get your tickets here.
Yung Gravy at Val Air Ballroom
He’s ridiculous, absurd, and nostalgically smooth. Yung Gravy is one of the internet’s favorite rappers with tongue-in-cheek, catchy music that can make the life of any party. Join him at his tour stop at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines on November 23. Get your tickets here.
Harbour at Wooly’s
Harbour is an alt-pop lovers’ dream. Coming to Wooly’s on November 29, expect a late night of indie energy and pop-rock with extra personality. It’s the perfect way to shake off the post-Thanksgiving slump and remember that leaving the house is, in fact, very much encouraged. Get your tickets here.
Don’t Miss a Moment. Catch All the Upcoming Live Shows in Des Moines.
The greater Des Moines area is bursting at the seams with live shows, concerts, and can’t-miss events all year long. Prefer intimate crowds, niche artists, and/or local performers? Cozy up at Wooly’s, xBk Live, or at Prairie Meadows' Finish Line Show Lounge. Love saying “I saw them before they were famous”? Val Air Ballroom, Vibrant Music Hall, and Hoyt Sherman Place have you covered. And when it comes to full-on, scream-sing headliners, Casey’s Center is the metro’s go-to spot for big-time performances.