Iowa music venues

Since 2020, Des Moines has lost several cornerstones of its live music scene, from small clubs to major festivals. The closures have narrowed the path for local artists to develop, even as new venues and entertainment giants reshape how live music operates in the metro.

The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake is a rock and roll landmark and one of the few historic ballrooms still operating today. Its legacy is closely tied to "The Day the Music Died," when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson performed their final show at the Surf on Feb. 2, 1959, before their fatal plane crash in a field north of Clear Lake the following morning. The Surf has recently expanded with the opening of their Music Experience Center next door, which has artifacts of the three late stars, along with other artists that have performed at the Surf, since it first opened in 1933. In this episode Pete Potts, director of marketing and public relations, and Jeff Nicholas, president of the nonprofit that manages the Surf, give us a tour of the Surt Ballroom and Music Experience Center. We also visit the crash site with Nicholas, whose family owns and maintains the crash site, which has become a tourist attraction for music lovers around the world.

The announcement of the venue's closure by the end of the year marks another blow for Des Moines' local music scene.

Platinum-selling indie pop band Saint Motel's A.J. Jackson talks about the band's album Saint Motel & the Symphony in the Sky and its freshly released companion record, Afterglow, ahead of their concert at Val Air Ballroom Oct. 13.

The Irish singer-songwriter plays the 10th annual Hinterland festival.

Golden Bear Records is reshaping the sound of central Iowa’s music scene. The studio has produced albums for Abbie Sawyer, Andrew Hoyt, Lily DeTaeye and James Tutson, among other notable Iowa musicians.

Des Moines band The Mesmerists is releasing their new album The Last Love this Saturday, July 19, at xBk Live. IPR’s Cece Mitchell spoke with the trio about their musical journey so far and the themes explored in their new record.

'Always Here: A Compilation of Sounds from Iowa' is a brand new compilation album featuring 19 transgender and nonbinary artists from Iowa, with all proceeds benefiting the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund.

Des Moines band Lady Revel is playing an album release show for their new LP Slow Burn at xBk Live this Friday, May 30. IPR’s Cece Mitchell spoke with vocalists Jasey Rebarcak and Sara Wodka about the creative process behind the record.

Senate File 146 would prohibit the use of automated bots to purchase online tickets at concerts and sporting events.