Free Live Music Series To Return to Rock the QC This Summer
By Jonathan Turner
A never-ending cornucopia of live music fills the Quad Cities all year, with a tremendous lineup of talented local artists.
But summer is particularly special, as each of the major towns in the area hosts free live music series, and the 2026 schedule has been set, starting with the first one on Thursday, May 21 with the Crooked Cactus Band at Moline’s Bass Street Landing plaza. Clear your calendar, because there’s are lots of great musicians and tunes to choose from!
New Third Thursday Live Music Series at The Plex, Bettendorf, 6-8:30 p.m.
The Plex in Bettendorf is bringing live music to the neighborhood this summer with a new Third Thursday live music series taking place monthly, from May through September.
Beginning in May, visitors can enjoy live music for free at The Plex every third Thursday. Each event will feature a different artist and vendors and will rotate locations throughout The Plex neighborhood. This gives attendees the opportunity to experience different businesses and everything The Plex has to offer. The series is designed to create a fun, welcoming atmosphere to enjoy local entertainment and support businesses throughout The Plex.
The first event will take place on Thursday, May 21st outside of Oscar’s Pub (5027 Competition Drive, Bettendorf) and will feature live music from Luke Fox from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The kickoff event will also include a free Yoga/Pilates session hosted by Reform by Tapas. Registration is required for the class and can be completed at TapasYogaShala.com. Guests are encouraged to grab dinner, drinks, and enjoy a summer evening at The Plex while enjoying live music.
For updates and upcoming events, visit ThePlexQC.com.
Common Chord Live At Five, Skybridge Courtyard, 2nd Street, Davenport (Fridays 5 p.m.-7 p.m.)—
June 5: Summer Kickoff Party with Diplomats of Solid Sound and Funktastic 5, plus Silent Disco at 8-10 p.m.
June 12: Class of ‘82
June 19: John Resch and Doggin’ Out
June 26: Paxtony Sherbeyn & the Solid Gold Boys
July 3: Rude Punch
July 10: 10 of Soul
July 17: Cedar County Cobras
July 24: Beaker Brothers Band
July 31: Crooked Cactus Band
Aug. 7: Chris Avey Band
Aug. 14: Heads in Motion
Aug. 21: Einstein’s Sister
Aug. 28: Matt Fuller Band
Bettendorf Public Library Summer Concert Series, Faye’s Field (Thursdays 6:30-8 p.m.)—
June 4: The Tailfins
June 11: The Blackstones
June 18: Crooked Cactus Band
June 25: Fair Warning
July 2: Panic River Band
July 9: Lojo Russo
July 16: The Night People
July 23: Hap Hazard
July 30: Molly Conrad
Aug. 6: Totes McGotes
Aug. 13: 10 of Soul
Moline Bass Street Landing Plaza, off 17th Street north of River Drive (Thursdays 7-9 p.m., with solo and duo performances at 6 p.m.)—
May 21: Crooked Cactus Band
May 28: Matt Fuller Band
June 4: Far Out 283
June 11: Smooth Groove
June 18: Fair Warning
June 25: The Tailfins
July 2: The Dirt Road Rockers (4:30 p.m.), The Night Wranglers (7:30 p.m.)
July 9: Code 415
July 16: Corporate Rock
July 23: The Velies
July 30: Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls
Aug. 6: Blues Deluxe
Aug. 13: Funktastic 5
Stephens Square Concert Series, east end of Moline Township Activity Center, 620 18th St. (Mondays 6:30-8:30 p.m.)—
June 8: The Night People
June 15: Crooked Cactus Band
June 22: Tommy Pickett & Friends
June 29: Warehouse Project
July 6: The Hotrods
July 13: The Incredible 45’s
July 20: The Tailfins
July 27: Gray Wolf
70th-Annual Starlight Revue Concert Series, Lincoln Park, Rock Island (Tuesdays, 5-6:45 p.m. Hy-Vee Grille, music 6:30-8:30 p.m.) –
June 9: The Tailfins
June 16: The Blackhawk Broadcasters
June 23: Gray Wolf
June 30: Totes McGotes
July 7: The Incredible 45's
July 14: The Night People
East Moline Main Street Concert Series, Runners’ Park, 742 15th Ave. (Sundays 5-8 p.m.)—
June 7: Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band
June 14: Jeni Grouws and The Big 6
June 21: John Resch & Doggin Out
June 28: Semi Charmed
July 12: Danny’s Book Club
July 19: Jive Radio
July 26: Matt Fuller Band
Aug. 2: Class of ’82
Aug. 9: Travis Reid
Aug. 16: Identity Crisis
Aug. 23: 10 of Soul
Aug. 30: Jaci & The Juice
Plus, later in the summer, you can look forward to the annual Thursday Night Groove concert series that brings free live music to the Ellis Kell Stage at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island (1st Avenue and 18th Street) from 7–9 p.m. on Thursdays. The popular summer series features local bands, with food trucks and drinks (beer/concessions) available starting at 5 or 6 p.m., and the series typically runs from mid-August through early October.
Check out the Rock Island Parks & Recreation Facebook page for schedule updates.
Jonathan Turner is a veteran journalist and piano player, who has made the QC home since 1995 and loves writing about arts and culture. He is the author of the books “A Brief History of Bucktown: Davenport's Infamous District Transformed,” and “100 Things To Do in the Quad Cities Before You Die”.