With its special August 20 event celebrating the opening of Common Chord's new Redstone Room facility, the Davenport venue's staffers are proud to host the area return of River Roots Live favorite Robert Randolph, his electrifying blend of gospel and blues signaling the return of a space that has helped shape the Quad Cities music scene for decades.

Transforming its gardens into one of the region's most memorable concert experiences, Rock Island's Quad City Botanical Center will host a special "Bluegrass on the Grass" music event on August 16, allowing guests, as surrounded by blooms, trees, and fellow music lovers, to experience an unforgettable night with the artists of Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band.

Celebrating, per the event title, 7 Freakin' Years of Hard Rock, radio station I-ROCK 93.5 brings its annual anniversary party back to Eat Moline venue The Rust Belt on August 20, this year's entertainers boasting the hard-driving talents of Eva Under Fire, Alborn, Autumn Kings, and Left on Red.

Hailed by Americana Highways as "very innovative and eclectic," the Americana artists of Goldpine, composed of married Nashville musicians Benjamin and Kassie Wilson, return to Davenport's Raccoon Motel on August 17, their 2025 album Three also lauded by Americana Highways as a work that "features powerful vocals, a unique sound, and a mix of raucous and subdued styles."

With Americana Highways praising the artist for delivering a "sweet, steamy pot of serious country music and lyrics." singer/songwriter Stacy Antonel headlines an August 18 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, her debut album Always the Outsider hailed by Saving Country Music as "quite an exquisite collection of songs that gives Antonel a unique role in the country landscape."

Internationally recognized by Graceland and the Elvis Presley Estate, a popular touring artist brings his Matt Stone as Elvis: In Person stage spectacle to Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on August 20, the artist hailed for bringing staggering levels of authenticity and attention to detail to his craft, and captivating audiences with flawless recreation of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll in his prime.

Having already won 20 awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association and 23 from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America, the Grammy-nominated bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent – composed of guitarists, bassists, and vocalists Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent – will perform music that speaks to faith, family, hope, and the journey they have walked together when their "A Beautiful Life Tour" comes to the University of Dubuque's Heritage Center on August 15.

With the headliner performing in his four-octave vocal range and backed by some of the nations best musicians, the touring sensation Rick Lindy's A Black & White Night: A Salute to the Legendary Roy Orbison lands at Maquoketa's Ohnward Fine Arts Center on August 15, this exhilaration celebration of the music legend designed to delight audiences of all ages and get them dancing in their seats.

Rodney Shaw, River Shaw, Matt Friesz, and Joe Friesz of Burnt McMelba Toast [Photo by Laura Heath]

Rod had invited us to hang out with his co-founder Matt Friesz and each of their sons who had joined the [Burnt McMelba] Toast band this year to hear them rehearse for two gigs in August. He wanted us to learn more about how Toast was not having a reunion. The band was having a revival with second-generation blood and new variations on past themes.

l to r Rodney Shaw, River Shaw, Matt Friesz, and Joe Friesz of Burnt McMelba Toast

Tucked away in a string of houses between the highway and the river somewhere north of the Quad Cities is an old river cabin, marvelously redone and modernized into a rock 'n' roll minimalist dream. There's no reason to believe that Burnt McMelba Toast are practicing here until I finally step out of the car, a few wrong turns finally pointing me to the rumble of a bass amp in the riverside seclusion.

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