Dark Family has really stepped up both their songwriting and production games, peeling away some of the lo-fi haze and the more languid song structures to reveal the most direct, tuneful compositions I've heard from them yet, all presented at a level of clarity that marks a turning point in their catalog.

A touring engagement with the platinum-selling, chart-topping, chainsaw-playing rock and metal artists of Jackyl comes to East Moline venue The Rust Belt on October 19, its musicians not only fan favorites but the possessors of two actual Guinness World Records: one for playing 100 concerts in 50 days, and one for performing 21 concerts in a 24-hour period.

Performing in live public settings again for the first time in nearly two years, Galesburg's professional vocal ensemble the Nova Singers makes its long-awaited return in the hour-long concert event Singing Together, with the musical program taking place on October 16 at Galesburg's First Lutheran Church and on October 17 at Davenport's St. Paul Lutheran Church.

A modern legend in the realms of R&B and hip-hop soul, Ginuwine – performing locally as a headliner on the Back It Up Tour – plays an October 16 concert at East Moline venue The Rust Belt, the multi-platinum-selling, chart-topping artist revered for albums including The Life and The Senior, as well as Billboard's smash R&B singles “Pony,” “Differences,” and “So Anxious.”