Vibrant Music Hall
12/6/2023
Music lovers, concert goers and live show aficionados can add one more venue to choose from in Des Moines’ suburbia — Vibrant Music Hall.
Vibrant Music Hall, located in Waukee’s KeeTown Loop at 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, hosted its first concert, needtobreathe on Nov. 5.
Vibrant isn’t named because of its energetic vibe but rather gets its naming rights from Vibrant Credit Union, based in Moline, Illinois. Live Nation Entertainment manages the venue, adding Iowa’s Vibrant Music Hall to its list of 150 venues nationwide, including the House of Blues.
Live Nation chose Waukee for its new location, as it is close to Interstates 80/35 with ease of access for both artists and guests. It’s about a 10-minute drive from Jordan Creek Mall.
For a firsthand look at the venue, I attended the Rock Resurrection Tour with Saint Asonia, Theory of a Deadman and Skillet. Parking cost $15 — the only Waukee venue that charges for parking. The will-call ticket booth is located outdoors. Once inside, patrons pass through automatic metal detectors, a change from being hand-wanded at other venues.
A stunning wall mural in the front lobby catches your attention. Painted by local artist James Navarro, it includes a variety of colorful shoes — Converse, Vans, dress shoes, representing different people coming together for the music. The spacious areas near the entrance and by the bar areas offer less crowding and a place to hang if needing a break from the music.
Venue setups vary based on the artist’s preference and accommodate up to 3,300 patrons. This concert offered general admission, standing-room-only area on the main floor. About a third of the concert goers sat in the upper deck and box seats. This setup is the best of both worlds, benefitting the concert “standers” and the “sitters” all under one roof. Cup holders in the seated areas prevent spills, and patrons can bring in empty water bottles to fill at one of four water stations. There’s nearly 100 bathroom stalls on two floors — a much-needed perk for ladies and gents.
The acoustics are spot on with state-of-the-art speaker systems. The musicians yelled, ‘Hey, Des Moines, are you ready to rock?’ I noticed the minor technicality, as we were in Waukee.
The wide-angle layout of the venue allows for “not a bad seat in the house.” Testing this theory, I observed all four corners of the venue, in both standing and seated areas on two levels. The concert experience was truly ideal, regardless of where you might be.
If you get a chance to hang with coveted backstage passes, an upper-level viewing area offers a bird’s eye, up-close look at the performers.
With seven bars, drink options were plentiful with short wait times. It’s a cash-less system, and prices are on par with other bars. A Foundry Vodka or a Bacardi Spiced Rum run $10. Make it a double for $6 more, and it’s a no-brainer if you plan on drinking more. Craft beer runs about $13 for a 19-ounce can or a Busch Light 25-ouncer costs $11.
Like other businesses, there are upcharges if you want to splurge. High-end drinks and food are available in the Red Room but require a VIP club access $20 ticket just to get in the door. Splurge on mixologist-curated cocktails, such as the Strawberry Vodka Lemonade or a Vibrant Old Fashioned; each are $19. Wine bottles run from $36 to $110.
Celebrating a special occasion? Reserve a box seat area, complete with tables, bottle service and a wait staff who deliver high-end cocktails and food bites.
Vibrant offers premium memberships and other add-ons. Premier parking costs $25; fast-lane access, $10; coat check $5; and VIP Red Room $20. Do the math — it adds $60 to your ticket cost.
Haleigh Biancalana, general manager, says they’ve received a lot of positive feedback for the first few concerts. Her favorite part is the modern look.
“The aesthetic touches are unlike anything I’ve seen. The cool feature is that it’s wider than longer, providing a more intimate setting with the musicians.”
Live Nation hired all local staff. Biancalana says, “This new space is run by our neighbors and peers. It creates a space for those who love music,” she says.
For more information on upcoming concerts, visit www.vibrantmusichall.com. ♦
