The first full week of 2026 comes to a close with a mix of events throughout our reader regions. The Loft in Waterloo celebrates a re-opening under new ownership this Saturday. A who’s who of punk and metal acts hits up xBk Live for a benefit show for Des Moines Mutual Aid. And the heavy doom Chicago group Shrineburner are making their way through the region with a Friday show at Gabe’s in Iowa City and a gig at Raccoon Motel in Davenport the following night.

Asking For A Friend — via the artist

G. Love & Special Sauce

Shrine Burner w/ Aseethe, Acoustic Guillotine & Deivore

Asking For A Friend – FREE SHOW SERIES

New Neighbors, Brave You, The Slow Retreat & Burn After Writing

Under The Knife — via CSPS

Candles & Classics – January Tango of a Showgirl

IDEAL IDOL VOL V

Under The Knife – Gallery Opening

Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts

Joshua Mutant — photo by Thrash Panda Media, via the artist

JACOB LAMPMAN, JOEL SIRES AND BEN RENDALL

Grand ReOpening of the Loft

JOSHUA MUTANT, MORE CHEESE, WRESTLING W/ WOLVES AND LOVE BOMB

Bootcamp at Pokey’s Fest 2025 — Jonathan Hansen / Little Village

Raw Space / Heaven Drugs / Knives

Capital City Pride Presents: Heather Matarazzo

Sweez

A Benefit Show for Des Moines Mutual Aid w/ Bootcamp, Traffic Death, Skinned Alive, Wanderer

Anthony Gomes — photo by David Probst, via the artist

Anthony Gomes

Second Saturday Flea Market

Shrine Burner w/ Aseethe, Acoustic Guillotine & Deivore

Katie Dahl — photo by Kelly Nicolaisen, via the artist

Frank Martin Busch & The Names

A Night of Shakespeare

Monarch Sessions – KATIE DAHL!


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