Live Music is in our Quad Cities DNA
From its earliest days, the Quad Cities music scene has benefitted from its position on the nation’s largest river. While the Mississippi River provided easy transportation for agricultural and industrial goods, it also was a conduit for culture—most notably music. The popularity of riverboat travel in the early 20th century spread jazz, blues, and folk music along the river, from New Orleans and the Delta in the south to Chicago and the Twin Cities in the north.
The QC music community holds a wealth of variety – both in genres and venues. Experience bands from across the world at venues like Common Chord's Red Stone Room, Racoon Motel, The Rust Belt, and Codfish Hollow. Check out our Quad City Symphony Orchestra and concert tours at the historic 2,400-seat Adler Theatre. Grab a cold drink and catch live music at intimate settings like Rozz-Tox, Cool Beanz, Rock Island Brewing Co., and Gypsy Highway. Don't miss the annual Mississippi Valley Fair, held in early August, featuring outdoor concerts that have included performers like Pit Bull, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, and Toby Keith.
National and international touring acts frequently stop in the Quad Cities to perform at the Vibrant Arena at THE MARK in Moline and The Rust Belt in East Moline, Illinois. The 12,000-seat Vibrant Arena has welcomed such stars as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting, James Taylor, Doobie Brothers, The Eagles, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, and Bryan Adams. The Rust Belt, situated in a repurposed warehouse, holds up to 4,000 people and has welcomed Bon Iver, Kamasi Washington, CeeLo Green, Wynonna Judd, Steel Panther, and many new upcoming bands from around the country.
In the summer, QC visitors get the best of the Quad Cities music scene. Not only can you find weekly, free, outdoor concerts in the downtown areas, but also music festivals including Alternating Currents, Quad City Symphony’s Riverfront Pops, Gumbo Ya-Ya, Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, and more!
Catch the excitement and sounds of our live music scene at one of our venues below.