His legendary live shows described by NME as "crossing the line between music and bloodsport," experimental musician Lucas "Granpa" Abela, who also performs under the stage moniker Justice Yeldham, headlines a July 19 concert event at Rock Island's Roxx-Tox, the New York Times' David Rees describing the artist's live sets by saying, "One moment you hear John Coltrane playing a volcano, the next you hear a string section being squeezed through a toothpaste tube."

With her just-released recording The Heartbroken Record lauded by Holler Country as an " an exciting display" from an artist whose voice "is already informed by a seasoned wit and sharp wisdom," country singer/songwriter Lauren Watkins headlines a July 21 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, her studio-album also praised by Entertainment Focus as "a masterclass in country heartache, blending introspective lyrics with infectious melodies."

With AllMusic.com calling the musicians' album We Are the Tide a "near faultless" work that set "a new benchmark in the Oregon/Washington folk-pop revival," the indie-folk and -pop musicians of Blind Pilot headline a July 23 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the ensemble also praised by NPR as a group that "makes wistful late-summer music – songs of reflection and connection, carried out in a subtle swirl of strings, horns, pianos and voices."

Revered for such chart-topping hits as "Let It Rain" (featuring Sarah Buxton) and "Whatever She's Got," country singer/songwriter and guitarist David Nail headlines a July 19 concert event at Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn, his credits including the lauded studio albums I'm About to Come Alive, The Sound of a Million Dreams, I'm a Fire, and Fighter, as well as the popular EPs 1979 and Uncovered.