Articles
Names Need Not Apply: The Frozen Fructose Laundromat Interview
Photographed & Written by: Matthew TerryABOUT THIS SERIES:Over the past year I’ve focused on the local haunts that musicians, musicals, and music fans call home and fill with the warmth of audible expression. In 2025 I will begin delving into the musicians who...
Trading Winter Blues for Dancing Shoes at Spring Thing 2025
Photographed & Written by: Matthew TerryTo many, winter is more than just a word, and while it may help describe a season that suggests seclusion and chattering teeth, here in the Midwest, a mere mention of that word is enough to send chills down our spines in...
The Crossroads of Creativity: An Interview with Subatlantic
Photographed & Written by: Matthew TerryABOUT THIS SERIES:Over the past year I’ve focused on the local haunts that musicians, musicals, and music fans call home and fill with the warmth of audible expression. In 2025 I will begin delving into the musicians who...
Growing A Groove: An Interview with The Textures
Photographed & Written by: Matthew TerryABOUT THIS SERIES:Over the past year I’ve focused on the local haunts that musicians, musicals, and music fans call home and fill with the warmth of audible expression. In 2025 I will begin delving into the musicians who...
A Musical “Tempest” In Trio Form: An Interview with Lady Igraine
Photographed & Written by: Matthew TerryABOUT THIS SERIES:Over the past year I’ve focused on the local haunts that musicians, musicals, and music fans call home and fill with the warmth of audible expression. In 2025 I will begin delving into the musicians who...
Societal Sects Construct a Community at The Spotlight Theatre
ABOUT THIS SERIES:This is an insider's peek into live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant, diverse music scene in the Quad Cities and shed light on the...
The Humming Hive of Bootleg Hill Honey Meads
ABOUT THIS SERIES:This is an insider's peek into live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant, diverse music scene in the Quad Cities and shed light on the...
Panheads & Pad Thai: Gypsy Highway a Unique Flavor in Davenport
ABOUT THIS SERIES:This is an insider's peek into live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant, diverse music scene in the Quad Cities and shed light on the...
Trading Periodicals for Piano Keys: Sound Conservatory
ABOUT THIS SERIES:This is an insider's peek into live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant, diverse music scene in the Quad Cities and shed light on the...
Pour Yourself a New Experience: Pour Bros in Downtown Moline
ABOUT THIS SERIES:This is an insider's peek into live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant, diverse music scene in the Quad Cities and shed light on the...
A Space Between Comfort and Change: Theo’s Revived in Rock Island
ABOUT THIS SERIES:"Music Venues in the Quad Cities" is a series providing an insider's peek into live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant, diverse music...
Replacing Rentals with Reisling: Getting to Know The Grape Life
ABOUT THIS SERIES: "Music Venues in the Quad Cities" is a 12 part series providing a comprehensive overview of live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant...
The Tangled Wood: A Gathering Beyond the Ghost of Governors
ABOUT THIS SERIES:"Music Venues in the Quad Cities" is a 12 part series providing a comprehensive overview of live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant...
Codfish Hollow: The True Jewel of Jackson County
ABOUT THIS SERIES: "Music Venues in the Quad Cities" is a 12 part series providing a comprehensive overview of live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 600. The series aims to highlight the vibrant...
Skylark: Prophets to Prohibition to Present-Day in Rock Island.
ABOUT THIS SERIES:"Music Venues in the Quad Cities" is a 12 part series providing a comprehensive overview of live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant...
From France to QC, The Art Of post doom romance.
Art. noun. - the use of the imagination to express ideas or feelings. Music comes in all wave shapes & amp sizes. Given the unique nature of sound, and the unique nature of humans, sound activates various regions of the brain. As you know, certain genres, lyrics,...
Quad City’s St. Patrick’s Survival Guide | Music of the QC
St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and the Quad Cities are gearing up for a weekend full of shows, concerts, and music events to celebrate the holiday. Whether you're looking to catch a traditional Irish performance or rock out to some live music, there's...
A Manifesto, A Mannequin, & A Means To Move Beyond The Mainstream
ABOUT THIS SERIES:"Music Venues in the Quad Cities" is a 12 part series providing a comprehensive overview of live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant...
Music Venues of the Quad Cities | Raccoon Motel
ABOUT THIS SERIES:"Music Venues in the Quad Cities" is a 12 part series providing a comprehensive overview of live music venues in the Quad Cities area, with a specific focus on venues whose audience capacity is below 500. The series aims to highlight the vibrant...
Curating The Classics: The All Sweat All-Stars Prep For Christmas at The Spotlight
On a mild and sunny Sunday afternoon a dozen widely recognizable local musicians gathered in a nondescript Bettendorf church perched just below the peak of a hill I spent my childhood winters sledding down. Despite spending the majority of my childhood a meager two...
Festive Christmas Concerts Happening In The QC
"Merry Christmas ya filthy animals!" Families are reuniting from all over the globe. Kids are begging for the latest Fortnite, Minecraft, InstaPrint Cameras, etc. etc. and finding out if they are on the naughty or nice list. It's the time of year where food comas are...
Dark Star Orchestra Shines On Capitol Theatre
I hopped out of my bed, skipped to my bathroom, and jumped in the shower. I am just kidding. It takes me two hours to get out of bed, and it is more of a falling motion. All hyperbole aside, I stumbled onto my feet with a mile-wide smile on my face, on the...
Travels with Tedesco | Dan Tedesco at Village Theatre Nov. 18th
Dan Tedesco is an alternative folk musician whose sound resonates and captivates audiences. His latest single, “You Want Me to Stay (But I Have To Go)” is a testament to his incredible talent, combining his Americana sound with raw human emotion. Performing live,...
Einstein’s Sister’s Exit Strategies Include Trek To Abbey Road
The Quad-Cities’ Lennon and McCartney, Kerry Tucker and Bill Douglas of Einstein’s Sister, have more than expert pop songcraft in common with the Beatles on their latest EP, “Exit Strategies” -- the record was mastered at Abbey Road Studios. Miles Showell, who has...
Void Church Presents: Activity w/ Moscow Puzzles
With summer officially behind us, and the chill of early October fully immersing itself into our surroundings, it's hard not to have our thoughts shift to darker imagery as we trade the warmth of the summer sun for the glowing heat of candles illuminating the...
Zed Kick Out The Psychobilly Jams On New ‘Wrecking Machine’
Quad-Cities psychobilly band Zed is rampaging through a demonic hot rod of rock and raunch on their new album, “Wrecking Machine,” and they’re turning it loose for the first time Saturday, during a CD release party at the Village Theatre, 2113 E. 11th St., Village of...
Room to Improv: A Sonic Journey Through Spontaneity
When one hears the word improv, especially in relation to those that occupy the middle of the country, I would imagine the first thing that comes to mind is a show hosted by Drew Carey. This show had a mixed cast, that among others prominently featured Wayne Brady and...
The Return of a Classic: Music Reignites The Rows of The Capitol Theatre.
Since its opening on Christmas day of 1920, The Capitol Theatre has been a mainstay along 3rd street in Davenport’s downtown district, with it holding a place in The National Register of Historic Places since 1983, half a decade before my existence began. While the...
LeClaire Park Gets The Blues Again, As Blues Fest Returns To Davenport
You’ll be happy to get the blues this weekend, as Mississippi Valley Blues Fest 2023 will be held Friday and Saturday, September 15-16, at the historic LeClaire Park in Davenport, Iowa. Gates are open 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 11:30 p.m. As always,...
Young Local Artists In The Spotlight At Rock Island’s Schwiebert Park
The future of the Quad-Cities arts scene will step up to the stage as young artists from throughout the area are featured in the Quad Cities Youth Music & Arts Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at Schwiebert Park in downtown Rock Island. The second...
I-Rock Rocks Its 4th Birthday With Rust Belt Show
I-Rock 93.5 is celebrating its fourth birthday in the best and most appropriate way – with a huge hard rock concert at East Moline’s Rust Belt. On Friday, Sept. 15, the Quad-Cities radio station will unleash a free “4 Freakin’ Years Of Hard Rock” party featuring...
Moline Continues Momentum Of Sesquicentennial With Mo.Live!
You’ll be able to get Mo music, Mo art, and Mo fun for free at a new festival in Mo line Centre Thursday, Aug. 24 through Saturday, Aug. 26. Mo.Live! grew out of the popularity of last year’s Moline 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration. A lot of Mo liners were...
Silly Geese Making Serious Songs – Empty Graves Album Review
I've been hearing a lot of talk about Empty Graves around the Quad Cities in recent months, which at first glance is a sentence that could seem far more nefarious than it is actually meant to be. While there have been recent stories featured in the local news in...
Summer Jam Vol. 3 Returns to Downtown East Moline
James ‘Lobo’ Lopez and Colin Brandt have once again joined forces with Hey Bryans to bring this summer’s ultimate party back to East Moline. That’s right, it’s time for Summer Jam Vol. 3! Summer Jam Vol. 3 makes its way to Hey Bryans (1140 15th Ave East Moline) on...
Alternating Currents Plugs Into Quad-Cities Aug. 17-20
Alternating Currents is recharged and ready to electrify local music fans Aug. 17-20 with over 100 acts across 30 venues throughout the Quad-Cities. Featuring an eclectic and vibrant mix of music, comedy, film and visual arts strewn across two states and multiple...
Dress Like A Rockstar: Hidden Gems In The QC To Elevate Your Fashion Game
With Alternating Currents in one week, it’s time to lock down what awesome looks you’re going to wear! And what better opportunity is there than a major local festival featuring the Quad Cities’ finest to go find the best hidden gem thrift and boutique shops in the QC...
Empty Graves Comes To Life With New Album And Tour
Quad-Cities millenialcore band Empty Graves is on the rise, with an addicting new song, “Dog Pills,” an upcoming album, “Virulent,” and a burgeoning tour slate. The group -- Brockton Reddish on vocals, Benjamin Larson on guitar, and Brendan Cone on bass – is...
Say It Again: Play It Again
Subatlantic, a band comprised of Phil Pracht (drums, background vocals) Rebecca Rice (lead vocals, guitar, keyboard) Sean Chapman (bass, cello, background vocals), and Adam Kaul (lead guitar, background vocals) has become one of my favorite groups in the local Quad...
Sometimes Getting Lost Is Where We Best Discover Who We Are. – Flat Black Studios
Written & Photographed by: Matthew Terry (Some images provided by Flat Black Studios: AKA Kevin Bacon photo.) Often, getting lost is the best way to find oneself, and while I am not sure if that plays a motivating role in the acts that come through Flat...
Dawn And On Rises For Eighth Annual Fest In Schwiebert Park
Eight is looking great for the annual Dawn and On Festival, returning for its eighth summer to Rock Island’s Schwiebert Park on July 8. The all-day fest’s lineup this year will include The Big Wu, Jon Stickley Trio, The Dawn (go figure!), Strange Neighbors, The...
Rhythm On The River
Coordinating with Juneteenth in the Quad Cities, a new “Rhythm on the River” concert will be Sunday, June 18 at Schwiebert Park in downtown Rock Island, celebrating the contributions of Black musicians and highlighting Black voices in our local music scene. Rhythm On...
The Sound Conservatory
It’s been nearly a year since The Sound Conservatory, 1600 2nd Ave., Rock Island, moved to its current space, and the bustling music school, store and concert venue continues to grow. In a new summer concert series, the sophisticated, stunning building (in the former...
CJ Parker Remains A Rising Star On New Music, ‘The I Album’
Quad-Cities musician CJ Parker was named a rising star by MTV a year ago and is still on an upward trajectory with his new album, “The I Album,” which dropped March 31. A smooth and eclectic mix of gospel, jazz, R&B, soul, pop, and more, the seven-song collection...
QC Summer Concert Series Guide!
With Memorial Day weekend just passed, it’s officially summer in the Quad-Cities! Of course, that means the start of the outdoor concert season in and around the area, and, as usual, there’s a full slate of live tunes in all music genres on the menu for the sunny...
Studio Spotlight: Charm Media Group
As someone that is about as far from a music/sound engineer as possible, it's easy for me to recognize the unique facets of the various spaces I have been lucky enough to explore and expose through these monthly features, or perhaps it's more that I discover details...
Album Review of Bill Campbell’s “Together We Rise,” Album and Concert | By Jonathan Turner
Photos provided by William Campbell Music I love everything about Bill Campbell’s new album, “Together We Rise,” and especially how the award-winning composer, music professor, and church musician unveiled it in a dazzling multimedia swan song at St. Ambrose...
Sisters In Sound: Ariel McReynolds Interview By Angela Meyer
Through the years, I’ve been lucky enough to meet some really amazing artists of all genres that I’m proud to call my friends here in the Quad Cities. We compare notes & bounce ideas off of each other, sharing the highs and lows of this crazy music business. Ariel...
Studio Spotlight: Skylark QC
Located along the one-way rush of 7th Ave in Rock Island, only a couple blocks from the Moline border, lies an old building that began as a church in the late 19th century, living several non-secular based roles, before once more becoming a place of worship prior to...
William Campbell Takes On New Musical Adventures With ‘Together We Rise’
William Campbell is the Indiana Jones of Quad-Cities music. By day, he’s a mild-mannered professor at St. Ambrose University. But by night, he takes on far greater adventures.During his nearly two decades behind the desk at St. Ambrose, he’s compiled a stunning resume...
Album Review: Logan Springer & The Wonderfully Wild
The Echo recently sat down with Logan Springer of Logan Springer & the Wonderfully Wild to learn more about their upcoming sophomore album, Crow. The Americana crooner promises an eclectic and memorable set of tracks on the horizon for this next collection....
STUDIO SPOTLIGHT: ACE Radio Studio
This month's feature takes us a bit out of the QCA, and while the location is a bit of a drive North from "Quad Cities Proper", the driving force behind this studio, Robert Siegworth certainly plays a major role in the music scene of this area, as well as helping...
Album Review – Monica Austin’s Midwest Mama
Monica Austin is not your typical blonde-haired, blue-eyed female country artist. In her first full-length album, Midwest Mama, Austin doesn’t just bring another generic collection of love songs. This is a true storytelling record. An autobiographical homage to every...
Not To Be Underestimated, BTDT Is Breaking Barriers
Been There & Done That: The Echo recently sat down with Ava, Izzy, Katie and Carson of BTDT (formerly Been There Done That) to learn more about their band, how they got started here in the Quad Cities, and some advice they have to share for other musicians...
Studio Spotlight – Modern Myth
The East Village of Davenport looked a little less lively on a hazy Saturday morning as the rain struggled to decide if it would keep falling or simply hang above, haunting the city all afternoon. The spirits provided the night prior had all dried up while I made my...
Alborn Pushing Forward With New EP, Powerman 5000 Tour
Alborn make the kind of music that would sound great backing a movie montage of the current frenetic pace of the band: Loud, aggressive, driving, and with enough melodic punch to make it memorable. The seven-year-old Illinois alternative metal act -- comprised of...
STUDIO SPOTLIGHT: FUTURE APPLETREE 2
Located in the oldest city of the Quad Cities sits a quaint building that holds many records and many stories. Residing at 311 21st St, Rock Island, IL 61201, next to Ragged Records Music & Record Store, Future Appletree 2 - owned and operated by American audio...
QUAD CITY ALT-METAL BAND – ALBORN, TAKES ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THE UNITED STATES
ALBORN - Photo from: Alborn's EPK. Formed in 2016, Northern Illinois based alternative metal band Alborn consists of Justin Taylor [guitar/lead vocals], Alex Raser [Drums/vocals], Zame Lewis [bass] and Nate Guske [guitar/vocals]. Their sound has been compared...
ECHO INTERVIEW: DOPPELGANGER
Doppelganger - Photo by: Bleak Visuals OVER 1 MILLION VIEWS AND COUNTING... Alex Coats and Kyle Delveau met in middle school and have been playing together since 2007. They started forming Doppelganger after graduating high school in 2013 with Kyle's older brother....
QC Rock Academy Meets Old Dominion
This past Saturday, the band Old Dominion performed to a huge crowd at the Vibrant Arena in Moline. Before the show, they invited a group of young music students from QC Rock Academy to hang out during their soundcheck and meet the band. If you aren’t familiar with QC...
ECHO INTERVIEW: MICHAEL MONCADA & WHISKEY HIGH
Michael Moncada & Whiskey High brings energy, grit, and heart with their signature outlaw sound! They have been making waves across the scene, with shows in major cities across the Midwest. The band is comprised of seasoned musicians, whose stage presence and...
ECHO INTERVIEW: ANGELA MEYER
Photo: Angela Meyer Performing at Codfish Hollow Barnstormers Angela pulls in the crowd with a sweet voice and honest songwriting. She knows what it's like to be in the audience, her earliest memories taking her back to being a child dancing around a smoky beer tent...
What The Hell Is An EPK, And Why Every Artist Needs One.
I was at a show the other day and overheard a conversation, to which one person said, "What the hell is an EPK?". The Quad Cities is ranked 11th in the nation for the highest concentration of musicians. Upon hearing this, I knew I needed to write this article for our...
ECHO INTERVIEW: TIMBO
A Nashville plainsman with a voice that moans for home, singing from the heart of his travels, heartbreaks, and ups and downs along the way. Like the grit in a wound on a skinned knee, Timbo carries a sound of a life lived hard and a life lived simply adventurous....
ECHO INTERVIEW WITH: THE TEXTURES
Summercamp: On The Road champions (2020, and 2022) | The Textures are a 6 piece Funk/Soul & Alt-fusion band playing original music based out of the Quad Cities. With the new release of their single, "Poppin' Balloons" the Textures are excited to be playing, The...
Taking on the Glory and Gross of Summer Camp
Witnessing forty-five hours of music, one-hundred and twelve miles from my home, over three days, from five stages, two tents, and the pop-up shows in the forest remind me of the following exchange in the film Field of Dreams. Ray Kinsella: “Is there a heaven? “John...
Piano Project Brings Music to Iconic Quad-City Destinations
River Music Experience unveils their creative placemaking program: OneSound. The OneSound Piano Project has strategically placed ten artist-designed pianos in iconic Quad-City locations for the public to interact with, bringing more music, art, and interaction to our...
Summer Concert Series Guide
Summer is just around the corner which means warmer temps, patio hangs and free outdoor live music! Luckily we live in the Quad Cities where there is no shortage of any of those things. Grab your friends and family (and your lawn chairs) because we have an exclusive...
The Resilience of Live Music in a Celebrated Community
Not even a pandemic could best the remarkable music scene in the Quad Cities. The Quad Cities is home to a rich Mississippi blues heritage on the scale of New Orleans, Memphis, Tenn. and St. Louis. Historic venues such as the Col Ballroom and the Adler Theater have...
Davenport’s Grape Life: an intimate oasis for great music, wine
In an increasingly loud, chaotic world, The Grape Life is treasured as a mellow, soothing, sophisticated refuge. It effortlessly and expertly provides two of life’s greatest, enduring pleasures – outstanding wines and live music. The comfortable, comforting wine store...
An Open Door At The Village Theatre
The Quad Cities is home to a number of memorable live music venues. Be they small and intimate spaces, grand concert halls, theaters, or repurposed rooms, the locations where live music can be experienced in this area are certainly more than you can count on two...
Five Bands You Should Know From Dr. Manisha Virdi
Dr. Manisha Virdi is a friendly dentist by day and an avid showgoer by night. At least once a week you can find her at a concert in the Quad Cities and on extra special nights she even opens her home to touring artists passing through. Her dedication to the QC music...
Blues N’ (Crawford) Brews
The Quad Cities is known for its thriving live music scene partially made possible by the many bars, restaurants and breweries that host performers year-round. Many local acts earn a living performing locally thanks to these establishments. However, few are as dynamic...
A Q+A with CJ Parker of CJ Parker & XII
CJ Parker hit the ground running in 2022. With the first-quarter recognition from MTV news, keep in mind with only four-track released) his momentum as a solo artist and with CJ Parker & XII has skyrocketed. The Davenport Central graduate is only a few years out...
Marathon Concert for Ukraine Refugees Hosted by QC Music Community
The situation in Ukraine has left many feeling helpless. Not only for those in Ukraine but here in the US wishing to offer their support but are unsure how. Joy Avenue Media is presenting "Playing for Peace," a benefit concert of live music to fundraise for the...
We Are Greer
UT alumnus, English professor and Music Director Anthony Greer would never have guessed he’d be returning to his alma mater to teach. However, he does come from a large family of UT instructors. “My grandfather, grandmother, and great-uncle taught here until 1999, and...
Five Bands You Should Know from Jaawan Arrington
Jaawan Arrington is a QC Native that uses his skills outside of the newsroom to promote positivity. Through the 100 Series lifestyle brand, Jaawan has encouraged thousands of Quad Citizens to keep it 100 and share their stories. In his own words, here are a handful of...
East Moline Middle School Mariachi Band in Rebuilding Year
Nearly one in every five East Moline residents is Hispanic or Latino, so it makes sense there is a solid Mariachi band program at Glenview Middle School, 3100 7th St., East Moline. Formed in 2015 by Richard Clark, who retired last year, the Mexican music program is...
Your Musical Guide to St. Patricks Day in the Quad Cities
The Midwest adopts a Texan identity when it comes to holidays, especially St. Patricks Day. If you didn’t already know our Bi-State St. Patricks Day Parade is one of the largest bi-state parades in the country. While we could dive into how hilarious and kind of...
For Further Inspection: Local All-Star Fundraising Showcase at the Raccoon Motel
The anticipation for Saturday's "Local All-Star Fundraising Showcase" began a week prior, when a not so cryptic post on Mountain Swallower's Instagram page pointed out the Gary J and the Pancake Bros. event topping the upcoming events at Raccoon Motel. With the few...
Five Bands You Should Know from Josh Graves
Josh Graves, Underground Economy owner, knows a thing or two about the Quad Cities music scene. His experience working with bands in the Underground Economy studio and through the Underground Xperience showcases has him circulating through various artists in our...
The Best (musical) Date Nights in the Quad Cities
Romantic holidays come with their fair share of challenges. What do we do? How can I make it different than a regular date? I don’t have a romantic partner, so do I just sit at home and wallow? Luckily, there are plenty of great little pockets in the Quad Cities where...
After 10-Year Anniversary, Rock Island’s Rozz-Tox Remodels and Reopens Mid-Feb.
There’s literally no place in the Quad-Cities like Rozz-Tox. After marking its 10th anniversary in 2021, the quirky café has been closed for renovations for the past couple of months. It will reopen with its dazzlingly diverse lineup, Asian-inspired menu, and offbeat...
For Further Inspection: Mathew Logan Vasquez at Raccoon Motel
When an act comes through town with plans to stop at the Raccoon Motel, it's usually wise to expect a performance well worth the cost of admission. When one of those acts commits multiple nights, you know it isn't a show to miss, which was surely the case this past...
Barefoot Keyboardist Murray Lee, New Album and Studio Space
Often Greek Gods were portrayed barefoot because they were thought to stand above us, having no need for the protection of shoes. Following in their footsteps, Murray Lee is often around the Quad Cities playing gigs barefoot. He doesn't consider himself a Greek God...
A Q+A with Piso’s Cure
Piso's Cure is a newer band on the Quad-City music scene. The five-piece R&B outfit consists of Frankie Fontagne (bass, vox), Chrissy Boyer (vox), John Sorensen (drums), Logan McDaniel (guitar), and Jacob Palmer (keys). We sat down with them to chat about their...
Streaming and the Local Quad-City Music Scene
There is something to be said about how music fans in the Quad Cities come together to support their local music scene. Our community hosts so many events throughout the year, the fans share them in their circles and show up to support their favorite bands. With so...
Ringing in the New Year With Rumours
All Sweat Productions is bringing an essence of the 70s to the River Music Experience this New Years’ Eve with Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours.
Rapper, Big Man G Lays His Claim on the QC
In the words of the late Stephen Sondheim, "Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor." This notion is not lost on Devin Martel. From an outside perspective, the Quad-City rapper more commonly known as Big Man G seizes every opportunity laid in front of him. Behind the...
Veteran Quad Cities Bassist/Guitarist Shines With New Solo Album
Randy Leasman of Davenport has written songs since he was 12, but the veteran bassist and guitar player hasn't been able to sing his own material on a record or in concert over the years. That changed recently for the 37-year-old Davenport West alum, with the release...
A PSA on PROs
Becoming a music industry professional requires a base level of knowledge. Whether you’re looking to become an artist, producer, manager (the list goes on), there are fundamental aspects of the industry to know early on. Know the ins and outs of your stage plot. ...
River+City Collective rebounding from COVID, booking more shows in QC.
Sam Koester is a rare bird in the aviary of the Quad City region’s music biz. The friendly, 41-year-old Muscatine native now resides in Moline, owning and operating River+City Collective. RCC is an entertainment production company producing shows primarily in and...
Quad City Arts Signature Series Brings Artists Up Close and Personal
The Quad City Arts Performing Arts Signature Series (PASS) is tailor-made for a unique, charismatic musician like Bassel Almadani, who has quite a story to tell. The first-generation Syrian-American – born in Ohio – fronts the funk and soul band Bassel & The...
Quad City Symphony Orchestra Returns to a Whole “New World” For New Season
It’s fitting that the last Quad City Symphony Orchestra performance before the Covid shutdown was Verdi’s Requiem, a piece written in memory of a dear friend. The first Masterworks program to welcome a full-capacity audience since then (Oct. 2-3, 2021) will feature...
Mississippi Valley Blues Society Revamps Website, Brings Back Blues Fest to LeClaire Park
It takes an army of volunteers and sponsors to make the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival possible, and perhaps no more important than this year. Following the pandemic-plagued 2020, when the fest was canceled along with so many events, the all-volunteer Mississippi...
Lewis Knudsen Premiers New Album at the Redstone Room
After becoming a full-time musician in 2018, Lewis Knudsen found himself on the edge of a precipice. The Covid Pandemic forced him to try other avenues that were not live music. “After the shutdown, I looked around and asked myself, "how can I make music if I never...
Baby Garp Moves to Rock Island
The River Music Experience and Sean Moeller of Codfish Hollow have partnered to bring "Baby GARP" to the Quad Cities this year. The one-day festival will take over Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island, IL, on Sept. 11. Scheduled initially for Codfish Hollow in...
Davenport Composer, Music Professor To Premiere New Album at Sept. 10 Concert
The Covid pandemic has tested everyone’s patience. But even pre-pandemic, award-winning composer, pianist, and music professor William Campbell was at his wit’s end. Fortunately, he found some peace, wisdom and channeled his boundless creativity into a new album, “All...
Downtown LeClaire Enlivens Live Music Scene in Q-C With “Friday Night Live”
Downtown LeClaire has long been a popular Quad-Cities destination for its quirky, locally-owned shops, the Buffalo Bill Museum and Riverboat Twilight cruises, scenic riverfront, and its excellent variety of food and drink establishments. For several years, it's also...
Everything You Need To Know About Open Mic And Jams
Open mics (OM) and jams (OJ) have been a long-standing tradition for generations in the music world and are a crucial grassroots method of building a healthy music scene. It is a ground-level entrance to any music scene for any experience level. They offer so many...
Lopiez Celebrates 2 Years of Rocking the Q-C With Live Music, Pizza, Beer
Quad Cities’ brother duo, Andrew and Peter Lopez celebrate their restaurant two-year anniversary with a two day festival.
How to Get Started on Your Vinyl Journey
Starting your vinyl collection is full of excitement! What records do you buy first? How do you organize them? What piece of furniture will you use to store them? There are so many questions right from the jump. I’m Jon (also known as Centaur Noir) from Ragged Records...
Our Midwest Haven and the Potential of Music
Project Renewal Mentor and recording artist, Avery Pearl, discusses a recent collaboration between non-profits supporting music education.
Avey Grouws Band Proves the Benefits of Adaptation
Billboard charting, Avey Grouws Band adapted with the onset of COVID and pivoted to Live Streams. This pivot led to a packed midwestern tour for 2021.
New 1920s-Era Music Festival Debuts on Bix 7 Day in Davenport
For the first time in 11 years, the Dixieland jazz of the 1920s will be part of Bix 7 race weekend, with the FREE music festival – The Heights of the Era, all day Saturday, July 24.
Q-C Live Music Venues Seeing Varied Responses to Covid, Reopening
Independent Venue Week returns July 12 – 18, 2021, bringing together venues from across the country for a series of shows and programming in celebration of the spirit of independence. Across the country and the Quad-Cities, independent live music venues are finally getting back to a sense of normalcy.
The Quad Cities Step Up in Solidarity
Solidarity: Coming Together to Support Survivor Services is a call to action to show up and show out for survivors, ensuring that the Quad Cities is a welcoming, safe, and thriving place for everyone. This concert is raising funds to support Family Resources and will support victims of sexual violence in the Quad Cities.
Dawn and On Music Festival Returns to Schwiebert Park July 10
The day-long festival, heading into its sixth year, will be headlined by jam rockers Magic Beans and Illinois bluegrass favorites The Way Down Wanderers, who travel the country. Additionally, the festival will feature Wisconsin folk-rockers Them Coulee Boys, Midwest supergroup Middle Western featuring David Zollo and William Elliot Whitmore, along with Peoria bluegrass staples Still Shine.
After Playing Around the World, Rock Island Alum Returns for Q-C Juneteenth Festival Saturday
A 2005 Rock Island High alum, JUNO the Artist has toured the world as a guitarist and has played with everyone from Bruno Mars to Camila Cabello to Lizzo, plus the June 9 CMT Awards in Nashville. This Saturday (June 19), she returns for a Q-C Juneteenth festival.
Davenport’s RME to Hold June 4 Open House, Welcomes Zeke’s Island Café as New Tenant
River Music Experience -- with other local businesses and nonprofits that make their home in the historic Redstone building in downtown Davenport – has a lot to celebrate, including the planned opening of a new Zeke’s Island Café and re-starting of the free weekly...
Too Many Gigs, Too Many Years.
I met Frank Holst at Brew in the East Village (beautiful spot with a patio and great food). He was coming from a meeting and told me to, “look for the old guy.” We both already had lunch, so we decided on drinks. He ordered lemonade and I had beer. The day was a...
Rockford-based Nielsen Trust Ready to Rock Again at Adler
Fifteen months after their first and last live shows, one of rock music’s royal families is more than ready to rock again at Davenport’s Adler Theatre Thursday, June 3.