Live Music Returns to the Quad Cities
2020 was the year of virtual performances, balcony ballads, and musicians playing solo. Yes, we made the best of it and the music and creativity never stopped. Performers figured out how to make it work…but it wasn’t the same. When the band is on stage and everyone is singing along and clapping their hands in unison that’s the energy of everyone being there together.
The Quad Cities has long been the home of musicians, artists, and performers. Before other modes of faster transportation, the Mississippi River was a conduit of culture bringing different styles of music up and down the waterway. The QC’s culture of creativity hasn’t changed over the years. Live music is part of this region’s DNA. The Quad Cities has a full schedule of live music events planned this summer.
Now coming up in August…
One of the three longest running festivals in Iowa returns for its 50th celebration of the music of jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke. Traditional jazz music will play again on August 5-7, 2021, at the Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, Iowa. Born in Davenport, Iowa, in 1903, Bix Beiderbecke gained fame as a self-taught jazz cornet player with a unique sound. Beiderbecke played with jazz greats Jean Goldkette, Hoagy Carmichael, and Paul Whiteman. Ticket information can be found at www.bixsociety.org.
After the pandemic cancelled all the nightly grandstand acts in 2020, the Mississippi Valley Fair has an all-star lineup scheduled for this year’s fair on August 3-8, 2021, in Davenport, Iowa. The shows kick off with Jason Aldean on Tuesday night, followed by Locash, Shinedown, Old Dominion, Pitbull, and the fair closes out the last night with Craig Morgan. In order to attend the grandstand shows, you need a Fun Card that you can purchase online at www.mvfair.com. In addition to the grandstand acts, the Mississippi Valley Fair daily entertainment, rides, 4-H exhibits, and more.
This summer marks the five-year anniversary of the beginning of All Sweat Productions and they're back in Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island, Ill., with a performance of The Beatles album, Abbey Road, along with other classics from the Fab Four. It takes place on Saturday, August 7, 2021, with the gate opening at 6 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m. All Sweat Productions is a live music project aimed at gathering the best musicians in the QC region and jamming the greatest t rock n' roll moments. Tickets are $10 at the gate and kids 12 and under are free. Go to www.rivermusicexperience.org for more information.
Alternating Currents Festival has announced the featured live music acts for this year. The four-day festival on August 19-22, 2021, features all music genres from rock to country, folk, singer/songwriter, funk and more. Among this year’s live music lineup are: Squonk Opera, Radkey, Fox Royale, Motherfolk, and Tedious & Brief. This event is a full music, film, comedy and art experience at over a dozen venues and 100 performances. More information can be found at www.alternatingcurrentsqc.com.
The party of the summer returns to LeClaire Park in Davenport on Saturday, August 21, 2021, with the music of The Rolling Stones. “Let’s Spend the Night Together” along the banks of the Mississippi River rocking out to the band’s greatest hits from the iconic albums Beggar’s Banquet and Let It Bleed, including “Sympathy For The Devil,” “Midnight Rambler,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want!” This spectacular event closes with our traditional renditions of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever set to a brilliant fireworks display. Ticket information can be found at www.qcso.org.
Live music doesn’t just happen during festivals.
Because the Quad Cities has so much great local music talent, we can make your 2021 summer evenings even better with live music almost every night of the week at free outdoor summer concert series for all ages. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy! A schedule can be found here.
Live music isn’t just happening at outdoor festivals. The live music venues in the QC also have concerts on the books again with national touring acts.
The TaxSlayer Center in downtown Moline, Ill., has its first concert on Friday, July 9, 2021, with a powerhouse line-up of legendary arena rock bands featuring Dokken, Firegouse, Jack Russell’s Great White and special guest Brandon Gibbs. One Night of Queen happens on Friday, July 23. The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour with Michael McDonald is coming up on August 28. Tickets can be purchased at www.taxslayercenter.com.
The Rust Belt in East Moline, Ill., also has restarted its concert bookings. Steel Panther on July 10, and September 10th bring 3 Doors Down on their Better Life 20th Anniversary Tour. Tickets can be purchased at www.therustbeltqc.com.
The Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport offers a variety of live music entertainment almost every weekend. Headliners such as Air Supply, Clint Black, Wayne Newton, and Cheech & Chong have graced their stage. Entertainment details can be found at www.rhythmcitycasino.com.