These are some of the biggest concerts near Des Moines in 2024, from Jelly Roll to Chris Stapleton
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Wherever your music tastes lie — angsty pop about breakups, with veteran country musicians, or lyrics that skew toward storytelling — there’s likely a show for you happening right here in Iowa. Here is a list of some of the biggest concerts coming to the Des Moines metro each month, and a few you might want to consider traveling for. This list will be updated, so visit it each month to see the latest.
May
Cake, May 11
Hear Cake’s 1996 hit “The Distance” on May 11 when the alternative rock band plays Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway in Des Moines, for the Field Days Music Series. The band performs songs including “The Distance,” “Love You Madly,” “Short Skirt/Long Jacket,” “Never There” and a remake of “I Will Survive.”
Where: Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway in Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $49 at axs.com.
More: Alt rockers Cake play Des Moines this spring. Find out when tickets go on sale.
Disturbed, May 14
Heavy metal act Disturbed rescheduled their January Wells Fargo Arena show to May, making the month that much busier for concertgoers. “The Sound of Silence” hard rockers come to the city as part of their “Take Back Your Life” tour.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $29.50 at hyveetix.com.
Cody Johnson, May 17
“The Painter” and “Me and My Kind” singer Cody Johnson is bringing his “Leather” tour to Des Moines. The award-winning country artist from Texas saw widespread success with his song, “‘Til You Can’t” in 2021.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $47 at hyveetix.com.
More: Country singer Cody Johnson brings his 'Leather' tour to Des Moines in 2024
Greenbelt Music Festival, May 17-18
Improv rockers Umphrey’s McGee and jam-grass act Railroad Earth will headline the Greenbelt Music Festival in May. The festival, in its second year, will also feature musicians Sierra Hull, Yonder Mountain String Band and more.
Where: 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive
Tickets: Start at $64 at greenbeltmusic.com.
More: Clive's Greenbelt Music Festival returns in 2024 with Umphrey’s McGee, Railroad Earth
Chicago, May 18
Chicago, the rock band with horns that formed in Chicago in 1967, is headed to the Live Nation-owned Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee. The band behind songs such as “Saturday in the Park” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2020.
Where: Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee
Tickets: Start at $225 at concerts.livenation.com.
More: Des Moines-based concert promoters bring expertise to Live Nation's new Waukee venue
Willie Nelson, May 25
Legendary country artist Willie Nelson returns to Des Moines just shy of one year after performing in June 2023. The 90-year-old musician with a long list of accolades will bring his repertoire of songs — “Highwayman,” “On the Road Again,” “Across the Borderline,” “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys” with Waylon Jennings — to Des Moines as part of the Willie Nelson & Family tour.
Where: Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $49 at axs.com.
More: Legendary country artist Willie Nelson to return to Des Moines. Here's how to get tickets.
George Strait, Chris Stapleton, May 25
“King of Country Music” George Strait and country superstar Chris Stapleton will transform Jack Trice Stadium in Ames into the location for one of the biggest concerts of the year in Iowa. The celebrated country musicians will be joined by Grammy winners Little Big Town. Stapleton performed at the Wells Fargo Arena last year to a nearly sold-out crowd.
Where: Jack Trice Stadium, 1732 Jack Trice Way, Ames
Tickets: Start at $222 at eventticketscenter.com.
June
T-Pain, June 4
Rapper T-Pain, known for his use of auto tune, is bringing his “Mansion In Wiscansin Party Tour" to Waukee. Some of T-Pain's most recognizable songs include "Buy U a Drank" and his feature on Flo Rida's "Low."
Where: Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee
Tickets: Start at $64 at concerts.livenation.com.
The Mars Volta, June 6
The Mexican-American progressive rock band out of El Paso is behind songs such as "Inertiatic ESP," "Blacklight Shine," "Roulette Dares" and more heads to the Val Air Ballroom for a show. Teri Gender Bender opens.
Where: Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $55 at axs.com.
Jelly Roll, June 6
Jason DeFord, or Jelly Roll, is kicking off Tailgate N’ Tallboys Music Festival in Clinton. The CMT Music Awards winner and country act is behind songs “Need A Favor” and “Son Of A Sinner.”
Where: 101 S. First St., Clinton
Tickets: Start at $139.99 at tailgatentallboys.com/clinton.
More: Clinton music festival Tailgate N' Tallboys is gearing up for next year. See who is headlining.
Pixies, Modest Mouse and Cat Power, June 23
Alternative rock fans will want to catch the Pixies — “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Gigantic,” and “Where Is My Mind?” — with Modest Mouse of “Float On” fame and special guest Cat Power at Vibrant Music Hall.
Where: Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee
Tickets: Start at $97 at concerts.livenation.com.
More: Pixies, Modest Mouse take over Waukee for one night. Here's how to get tickets.
Parker McCollum, June 27
The country singer-songwriter comes to Des Moines on his “Burn It Down” tour. Known for songs “Pretty Heart” and “To Be Loved By You,” Parker McCollum was nominated for a CMA New Artist of Year award last year.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $24.50 at hyveetix.com.
More: 'Burn It Down' country singer Parker McCollum announces Des Moines stop for 2024
July
Luke Combs, July 13
Kicking off Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend is country star and CMA Entertainer of the Year winner Luke Combs. His newest album, “Gettin’ Old,” includes his remake of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” which earned Combs his seventh Grammy Award nomination. “The Kind of Love We Make” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart” are among his catalog of hits.
Where: Iowa Speedway, 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive, Newton
Tickets: Start at $85 at hyveeindycarweekend.com.
More: IndyCar race lands a top country singer, R&B and hip hop star to bookend the Iowa 2024 races
Post Malone, July 14
“Congratulations,” Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend concertgoers. Post Malone closes out the doubleheader weekend, bringing his blend of rap and pop that includes hits “Circles” and “rockstar” featuring 21 Savage.
Where: Iowa Speedway, 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive, Newton
Tickets: Start at $85 at hyveeindycarweekend.com.
Maren Morris, July 26
"My Church" singer Maren Morris returns to Iowa nearly a year after her Iowa State Fair Grandstand concert in 2023. For every ticket sold for the country singer's show, $1 will be donated directly to LGBTQ organizations serving youth in their communities in partnership with nonprofit and LGBTQ support organization the Ally Coalition, according to Live Nation.
Where: Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee
Tickets: Start at $54 at livenation.com.
August
Hinterland Music Festival, Aug. 2-4
Take Irish singer-songwriter Hozier of “Take Me to Church” fame, add alternative Grammy winners Vampire Weekend and pair it with rising star Noah Kahan and what do you get? Three days worth of impressive headliners for the Iowa music festival. Joining the lineup are masked country singer Orville Peck, singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine, pop musician Chappell Roan and more than a dozen more artists.
Where: Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, 3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles
Tickets: Start at $145 for Saturday only at hinterlandiowa.com.
More: Hinterland Music Festival in St. Charles just dropped its 2024 lineup. See who's headlining.
Iowa State Fair Grandstand concerts, Aug. 8-18
Here are the performers announced for the Iowa State Fair Grandstand so far: Christian country-pop performer Lauren Daigle; rock band Foreigner with special guest Melissa Etheridge, rap-turned-country star Jelly Roll; rockers Mötley Crüe; country musician Thomas Rhett; R&B singer Ne-Yo; The Avett Brothers with ’90s alternative hip-hop band G.Love & Special Sauce; and the family-friendly music brand Kidz Bop.
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Tickets: iowastatefair.org
Smashing Pumpkins, Aug. 20
Veteran alt-rockers and Grammy Award winners the Smashing Pumpkins are bringing "The World Is A Vampire Tour" to Waukee. Spanning dream pop, progressive rock and psychedelic, the band led by Billy Corgan has a discography that spans several decades. Some of their hits include "1979," "Tonight, Tonight" and "Ava Adore."
Where: Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee
Tickets: Start at $118 at livenation.com.
September
Sum 41, Sept. 12
Canadian rockers Sum 41 are coming to Waukee. Sum 41, which got its start in the late 1990s, released hit "Fat Lip" in addition to "In Too Deep" and "Still Waiting." The band announced last year they'd disband after the release of album "Heaven :x: Hell" and their subsequent tour.
Where: Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee
Tickets: Start at $64 at concerts.livenation.com.
Knotfest, Sept. 21
Knotfest, the heavy metal music festival, returns to Des Moines with headliners, and creators, Slipknot. The lineup includes Till Lindemann from Rammstein, hardcore/metal forerunners Knocked Loose, heavy metal act GWAR and more. This year marks 25 years since Slipknot released their self-titled debut album.
Where: Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $125 on knotfest.com.
October
Pink, Oct. 24
Grammy Award winner Pink is bringing her "Trustfall" tour to Des Moines in October. The pop star behind "So What," "Raise Your Glass" and "What About Us" is supporting a Des Moines organization with her concert, too. A portion of proceeds from the show will support Girls Rock! Des Moines, which describes its mission to empower girls and women, nonbinary and transgender youth and adults through “self-expression, creative agency, and mentoring in music and arts-based education, collaboration, performance, and production."
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $61 at hyveetix.com.
November
Billie Eilish, Nov. 17
Grammy-winning musician Billie Eilish takes her "Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour" to Omaha, Nebraska. Iowans up for the drive will get to hear the "What Was I Made For?" and "Bad Guy" singer live.
Where: CHI Health Center, 455 N. Tenth St., Omaha, Nebraska
Tickets: At ticketmaster.com.
Heart, Nov. 19
Heart, the rock band fronted by the Wilson sisters, will bring years of hits when it comes to Wells Fargo Arena in November. Behind enduring hits “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You” and “Magic Man,” Heart’s current lineup includes Nancy and Ann Wilson, Ryan Wariner, Ryan Waters, Paul Moak, Tony Lucido and Sean T. Lane.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
Tickets: Start at $35 at hyveetix.com.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: See a list of concerts in Iowa 2024 from Wells Fargo Arena to the fair