Four sterling independent instrumentalists will share one thrilling night at Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox on May 23, with OUTLETProgramme presenting a collective concert with the Stein/Smith/Shead trio and touring bassoon player Gabi Vanek.

A high-energy ensemble boasting some of the sharpest musical talents the area has to offer, 10 of Soul headlines a May 23 engagement as part of the Tangled Wood's summer concert series, their Bettendorf set sure to boast classic tunes from the genres of soul, funk, and blues, as well as a few funky arrangements of their own.

Whitney, May 23

Touring in support of their 2025 album Small Talk that Newcity deemed "a masterpiece," the touring independent rockers of Whitney headline a May 23 concert event at Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn, their most recent recording also inspiring The Line of Best Fit to state that ""when Whitney are operating in this ecstatic sphere of glorious, glacial sounds of the late '60s and early '70s, they’re nothing short of irresistible."

Performing from an iconic repertoire boasting such classics as "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," country musician and Obie Award winner Jason Petty brings his touring production 100 Years of Hank Williams to Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on May 23, Petty being the only actor to portray Williams in New York City's hit off-Broadway musical Lost Highway, as well as the only artist to perform that musical at Nashville's world famous Ryman Auditorium.

Kreator, May 18

Touring in support of this past January's Krushers of the World, the 16th studio album by the German thrash-metal outfit that debuted more than four decades ago, Kreator brings its latest North American tour to Davenport's Capitol Theatre on May 18, other recent smash hits for the band including Phantom Antichrist, Hate Über Allies, and 2017's chart-topping Gods of Violence.

Touring in support of his 2026 album New Day, a long-awaited release that The Rockpit said "may just be the best we have heard from John so far," legendary hard-rock singer/guitarist John Corabi and several gifted musician friends perform a May 16 concert event at Moline venue Rascals Live, Corabi revered as the frontman of The Scream during 1989 and of Mötley Crüe (during Vince Neil's hiatus) between 1992 and 1996.

Hailed by Westword for his "catchy melodies and experimental production," R&B and soul singer/songwriter Keenan TreVon headlines a May 16 engagement at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the Colorado native lauded for such recent songs as “3 Days,” “11PM in Aurora,” and “She Goes by Denver.”

Touring in support of their recently released album Dungeon Vision that New Noise magazine deemed “easily one of the best heavy, riffy albums of the year,” the New Zealand-based alt-rockers of Earth Tongue headline a May 21 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, their latest also hailed by Tinnitist as a recording that "pulses with human energy, fuzz guitars, bone-battering drums, and hauntingly tuneful vocals."

With the National Touring production of Wicked having played to sold-out crowds at the Prairie Alliance Theater in Peoria, Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre has its own hugely enjoyable, similarly themed performance in store with the May 16 national tour of A Wicked Evening with Louise Dearman, a showcase for the British talent who made history as the first (and, to date, only) actress to play both of that musical's lead roles, Glinda and Elphaba, full time under contract.

On May 16, the magic of country music will come alive at Maquoketa's Ohnward Fine Arts Center, the touring presentation Kenny & Dolly: Real Love boasting the talents of two award-winning tribute artists who embody the charm, vocals, and onstage chemistry of the original duo of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.

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