xBk
xBk Live is an independently owned performing arts venue and listening room in Des Moines, Iowa, operating a 250-capacity main hall and a 40-capacity Annex, serving touring artists, local musicians, community groups, and private event renters through ticketed concerts, bar service, and venue rentals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersDes Moines, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What xBk does
xBk Live is an independently owned and operated performing arts venue and listening room located in the Drake/Dogtown neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 2016 and operating since as a for-profit private company with 1–10 employees, the business operates two physical spaces: the main xBk Live hall (250 capacity) at 1159 24th Street and the xBk Annex (approximately 40 capacity), opened in 2024 in a converted former fire station at 1163 24th Street, Unit B. Programming spans live concerts across rock, jazz, country, metal, punk, folk, EDM, and experimental genres, alongside open mics, comedy, poetry slams, workshops, private rentals, and community events.
The venue is outfitted with professional-grade production infrastructure: a Midas PRO2C audio console connected via AES50 to a 48-channel DL251 stagebox, an L'Acoustics PA system (two ARCS WIDE, two ARCS FOCUS, four SB18m subwoofers), a High-End Systems Hoglet 4 lighting console with Chauvet, ADJ, Blizzard, and ETC fixtures, and a Big Room AI-powered subject-detection video switching system paired with three AIDA UHD6G-X12L 4K POV cameras for automated live streaming. Multichannel recording capability is delivered through Klark Teknik DN9630 and Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 converters.
The business generates revenue through four streams: ticket sales priced $9.35–$50 across ticketed concerts and free Annex events distributed via the proprietary website and third-party platforms See Tickets and Eventim; venue rentals at $1,500 (Monday–Wednesday) and $3,000 (Thursday–Sunday) with reduced rates for select nonprofits; on-site bar and concessions including premium pours, tap wine and beer, and canned cocktails; and recording services priced at $50 for a mixed stereo, $10 per channel for 24-channel multitrack, and $200 per video-recorded show. Distribution runs through direct venue operations, proprietary online ticketing, third-party marketplaces, and inquiry-based rental bookings. In February 2025, xBk expanded beyond live events by launching the Creative Entrepreneurship Program (C.E.P.), delivered in partnership with the Iowa Center (education) and US Bank (microloans), targeting aspiring creative-industry founders.
xBk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- xBk
- Legal name
- xBk Live
- Website
- https://xbklive.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- xBk Live is an independently owned performing arts venue and listening room in Des Moines, Iowa, operating a 250-capacity main hall and a 40-capacity Annex, serving touring artists, local musicians, community groups, and private event renters through ticketed concerts, bar service, and venue rentals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
xBk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Music Venue
- NAICS
- Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Karaoke Bars & KTV Lounges (MPAGAIAG)
Keywords
Where xBk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Des Moines
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
xBk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: xBk generates primary revenue through ticket sales for concerts and events, with prices ranging from $9.35 to $50.00 per show. Tickets are sold through the venue's website and third-party platforms like See Tickets and Eventim.
- Venue Rentals: xBk rents its space for private events, parties, meetings, concerts, and showcases. Standard rates are $1500 Monday through Wednesday and $3000 Thursday through Sunday, with reduced rates for some nonprofits.
- Bar/Concessions: The venue offers a premium selection of liquors by the pour, wine and beer on tap, and domestic canned beers. The Annex also provides canned cocktails such as whiskey sours, vodka mules, and margaritas.
- Recording Services: xBk offers 2-channel stereo recording at $50 for mixed stereo output, 24-channel recording at $10 per channel, and video recording at $200 per recorded show.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | General admission concerts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Venue rental - weekday rate |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Venue rental - weekend rate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Stereo recording service |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Multi-channel recording |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Video recording service |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
xBk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
xBk is a privately held, 250-capacity performing arts venue and listening room in Des Moines, Iowa that hosts live concerts, open mics, comedy shows, poetry slams, and private events. It operates a second intimate ~40-capacity space (xBk Annex) for smaller performances and community gatherings, and runs a Creative Entrepreneurship Program offering workshops, mentorship, and microloan access for creative industry entrepreneurs.
Product overview
xBk is a music venue and performing arts organization offering live entertainment experiences through two distinct spaces. The core offering is xBk Live, a 250-capacity listening room venue hosting concerts and performances, complemented by xBk Annex, a smaller 40-capacity intimate events space for community gatherings, open mics, and cultural events. The organization also operates a Creative Entrepreneurship Program (C.E.P.) providing educational workshops for creative industry professionals, and offers private event rentals for parties, meetings, and showcases.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- xBk Annex: An intimate events venue in a converted former fire station next door to the main club, hosting smaller performances, open mics, comedy shows, workshops, and community gatherings.
Products and services
- xBk Live Venue (Concert Tickets) A 250-capacity small performing arts venue and listening room located in Des Moines, Iowa, featuring live music performances, concerts, and community events for concert-goers across diverse genres.
- xBk Annex Events An intimate events space in a converted former fire station next door to the main club, hosting smaller events including open mics, poetry slams, comedy shows, listening parties, and classes with a capacity around 40 people.
- Venue Rental Program Private event rental of the venue space for parties, meetings, concerts, and showcases. Standard rates are $1,500 Monday through Wednesday and $3,000 Thursday through Sunday, including 2-3 staff onsite (bartender, host, production engineer) and up to 10 hours of access. Reduced rates are available for some nonprofit organizations.
- Recording Services On-site audio and video recording services for artists performing at xBk. Offers 2-channel stereo recording at $50 for mixed stereo output, 24-channel recording at $10 per channel, and video recording at $200 per recorded show.
- Bar and Concessions On-site beverage service at xBk Live and the Annex, offering a premium selection of liquors by the pour, wine and beer on tap, domestic canned beers, and canned cocktails such as whiskey sours, vodka mules, and margaritas at the Annex.
- Creative Entrepreneurship Program (C.E.P.) An educational program offering workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities for creative entrepreneurs, covering business skills including marketing, financial management, strategic planning, and music publishing, with partnerships with Iowa Center and US Bank for microloans.
Quantifiable outcome
- Independent venues in Iowa generated $588.6M in economic output, $266.4M to state GDP, and supported 2,663 jobs (NIVA 2024 report)
Companies that use xBk
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
xBk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
xBk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Iowa CentercoreThe Iowa Center is a partner in xBk's Creative Entrepreneurship Program, providing educational support and resources for emerging creative entrepreneurs. The program offers workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities led by industry experts.
- Chuck Smith InsuranceminorChuck Smith Insurance sponsors the Monday Night Live concert series at xBk, providing support for this monthly programming that features different singer-songwriters fronting the MNL house band.
- National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)corexBk is an active member of NIVA and the NIVA Iowa Chapter. Owner Tobi Parks serves as board vice president of the National Independent Venue Foundation. NIVA advocates for independent venues' interests, provides research, and organizes industry conferences.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
xBk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- First Avenue: Iconic 1,550-capacity Minneapolis music venue and NIVA landmark. Larger and more brand-established than xBk, but the most cited US independent venue comparable on identity, community role, and NIVA leadership profile.
- Knitting Factory: Multi-location independent venue operator (Brooklyn, Spokane, Boise, and partners). Comparable on the small-format indie venue model, but operates at broader scale than xBk's single-city presence.
Direct peers
- Saturn: Independent live music venue in Birmingham, AL hosting touring and local acts across genres. Comparable to xBk on mid-size capacity, NIVA membership, and mixed-genre indie programming.
- Troubadour: Legendary independent listening room and live music venue in West Hollywood, CA. Comparable to xBk as a small-capacity, long-tenured indie venue known for artist discovery and broad genre programming.
- Cat's Cradle: Iconic mid-size independent music venue in Chapel Hill, NC. Comparable to xBk as a NIVA-affiliated indie venue booking national touring and regional acts in an intimate setting.
- The Hideout: Long-running intimate independent music venue in Chicago, IL. Comparable to xBk as a small-capacity indie club with bar-led economics, regional artist programming, and a tight community following.
- Exit/In: Independent Nashville music venue hosting touring and emerging artists. Same archetype as xBk: indie ownership, mixed-genre bookings, listening-room style configuration, NAVA-network adjacent.
- The Cedar Cultural Center: Non-profit intimate listening room in Minneapolis, MN. Highly comparable to xBk on format (listening room), capacity band, and mission-driven community programming across diverse genres.
- The Basement East: Independent ~300-capacity listening room in Nashville, TN. Closest structural peer to xBk: small-format, multi-genre, NIVA-affiliated, with professional in-house production at intimate scale.
- The Stone Pony: Iconic small-format independent music venue in Asbury Park, NJ. Comparable as a long-running indie live venue with mixed-genre bookings and a community-driven identity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
xBk social profiles
Digital presencexBk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
xBk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
xBk subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
xBk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
xBk M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about xBk
What does xBk do?
xBk is a privately held, 250-capacity performing arts venue and listening room in Des Moines, Iowa that hosts live concerts, open mics, comedy shows, poetry slams, and private events. It operates a second intimate ~40-capacity space (xBk Annex) for smaller performances and community gatherings, and runs a Creative Entrepreneurship Program offering workshops, mentorship, and microloan access for creative industry entrepreneurs.
Is xBk a public or private company?
xBk is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was xBk founded?
xBk was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is xBk based?
xBk is headquartered in Des Moines, United States, in the North America region.
How does xBk make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are venue Rentals, bar/Concessions and recording Services.
Who are xBk's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are First Avenue and Knitting Factory. Direct peers are Saturn, Troubadour, Cat's Cradle, The Hideout, Exit/In, The Cedar Cultural Center, The Basement East and The Stone Pony.
Does xBk have an API?
No public API is recorded for xBk.
What industry is xBk in?
xBk's product category is Live Music Venue. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAIAG, Karaoke Bars & KTV Lounges. Its NAICS code is 71119 and its SIC code is 7900.