From car rides to school, to late-night gym sessions, music is constant in students’ lives, and now, some of their favorite artists are coming right to Iowa. The newly established “Casey’s Center” (Formerly “Wells Fargo Arena”) is hosting the majority of these concerts.

With these artists coming so close to home, students now have more opportunities than ever to experience live music from their favorite artists without having to travel far, from notable acts like Luke Combs to more niche bands like Dayseeker. 

While big-name artists draw a lot of attention, a more niche group, Dayseeker, has been gaining popularity in recent years. Although they may not be as widely known as artists like Luke Combs, they have a dedicated fan base. For students who enjoy this different style of music, bands like Dayseeker offer something unique in terms of style compared to country or classic rock. Country music is a more laid-back, easy-going feel, like cruising down a quiet gravel road. Classic rock, on the other hand, brings high raw energy and very catchy melodies.

Large concerts like these often bring energetic crowds, people singing, and an atmosphere that many students say is completely different from just listening to music at home or on the radio.

On April 11, 2026, Luke Combs will be coming to Ames, Iowa, at Jack Trice Stadium for his tour, “My Kinda Saturday Night Tour,” featuring Ty Myers and Dierks Bentley. 

“I really enjoy listening to Luke Combs. I first learned and was introduced to him through my parents, and have always enjoyed him since,” junior Lily Shepard said. 

Combs’ most notable songs are Fast Car, When It Rains It Pours, and Beautiful Crazy, with a combined 3.27 billion streams, according to Spotify statistics. While some students may be excited about such a big act, others have a different opinion.

“I’m not a huge fan, even though I really enjoy most country music; I don’t like his style,” junior Logan Peterson said. 

While Peterson isn’t a fan of Luke Combs, he enjoys a completely different style of music and is a fan of Journey, who will also be coming to Iowa, most famously known for their song “‘Don’t Stop Believin.’” Journey was originally scheduled to perform at Des Moines’ Casey’s Center on April 8, 2026, at 7:30 pm, but according to KCCI, some members of the band are ill, and the concert has been postponed; the date is still to be announced.

“I am a very big fan of Journey’s song, ‘Don’t Stop Believin,’” Peterson said. “I am not very familiar with really any other of Journey’s songs, but from what I’ve heard from people, I think that they are a very good band and I’m very excited to see them come to Des Moines.”

Another student, senior Mya Backstrom, stated, “I absolutely love Luke Combs. We are going on a choir trip soon that is pretty long, and I heard we get to see him during it. I’m super excited and looking forward to it.” Luke Combs is very notable, and so many people here are excited to see him come to Iowa.

When artists choose tour dates, they may not immediately think of the smaller cities, but the people who live there are often affected when they visit.  

“I think it’s interesting to see how many people gathering to listen and watch together can really strengthen the concert community in the Des Moines area,” Shepard said.

Whether you just like listening to music or going to concerts, these are great opportunities just to get out and enjoy yourself. This is a great opportunity to also invite a loved one or friend to just hang out and have a good time.

As the season shifts into spring and almost summer, expect more tours and concerts to come to Iowa. Lots of people are very excited and have pre-ordered tickets for these events; these concerts, especially those by bigger-name artists, will sell out fast.