An Awesome Year Of Live Music. The Quad Cities 2021 Concert Year In Review.

I shouldn't have to remind you, but 2020 sucked.  We basically had one concert, were teased with all sorts of shows, and then it all fell apart.  While 2021 wasn't 100% normal, it was still a pretty awesome year of live rock in the Quad Cities.

There was of course a great resurgence in live local music around the Quad Cities.  So many venues, bars, and festivals that took place.  It would take a year to write up the year in review by adding all those.  But, know that you can find good local rock pretty much every weekend in the Quad Cities if you go looking for it.  Now, let's look back at our 2021 year of live rock.

Badflower, May 8 at the Rust Belt

Yes, it took until May to get the shows going again.  But let's be real, 2021's winter sucked with so much snow and ice.  It was fine to wait till spring.  I knew of Badflower but never saw them live.  It was a great show to get us back into concerts.  The highlight for me was for the first time ever Badflower played "F The World" together.  Not just live.  It was the first time they ever played it together in the same room as the song was recorded by each member in different parts of the country.  Check out the photos here.

Corey Taylor, June 12/13 at the Rust Belt

For two nights in a row, CMFT took over the Rust Belt with sold out shows.  The energy on both nights (and remember he also played Friday in Detroit) was so intense.  Corey brings it and leaves it all on the stage every single night.  This was also the last show that we had to deal with "pods".  We (mostly) stayed in them.  Check out photos from Corey and the Cherry Bombz right here.

Sevendust, June 29 at the Rust Belt

When this tour was first announced, we missed out on it.  But, because of some cancelled shows in Wisconsin, we were able to quickly move and get 7D in town.  The show also of course included Alborn which is always great to get them on a stage in the Quad Cities.  See more of those pictures from Sevendust here.

Steel Panther, July 11 at the Rust Belt

This was my first time experiencing Steel Panther.  Part rock, part comedy, all fun.  If you are ever just looking for a fun night where you don't have to think about anything other than sex, booze and rock & roll, Steel Panther is the ticket for you.  Pictures of the wild ride can be seen here.

Shinedown, August 4th at the Mississippi Valley Fair

This was the big one of the summer.  Shinedown, with Alborn opening, at the Mississippi Valley Fair.  It was an awesome Thursday night hanging out with about 20,000 rock fans at the fair.  Alborn set the tone as the opener and then Shinedown put on, as always, an amazing show.  With a backup drummer as the normal drummer had to drop out just a day before cause of Rona.  I lost my voice.  I may have blacked out while on stage.  But it was one hell of a night with you at the MVF.

Alborn, The Forty Twos, High Five Sinners, September 3 at Riverview Roadhouse

I said it would take a year to highlight all the local music that was in the Quad Cities in 2021, but I need to at least remind you of this one.  The Holy Shit We Made It Two Years Party!  We had the party, and we're still here.  Also impressive.  I can't thank all of you enough for coming to this one and everything we do.  The most fun I've ever had working in radio is because of you.  Thank you so much!  Check out the pics from this crazy night right here.

3 Doors Down, September 10 at The Rust Belt

Going through this reminds me of how busy the end of summer and September were.  Monroe got this night started and they were great.  Then, well, we took a break.  Then 3 Doors Down came up and played all the songs you remembered from those 20 years ago.  Definitely, a memorable night that you can remember again right here.

Chevelle, September 19 at the Rust Belt

This was the one for me.  I was looking forward to this one the second we started trying to book them.  I was so glad we got them on the first leg of the tour before they cancelled the second half of the tour.  It was an awesome show.  Every song you knew from old to new.  While other nights may have been more fun, this one musically was the top of my list for 2021.  Check out these pics as well (can you tell I'm always getting somebody to take pics at these shows) right here!

Stone Temple Pilots, October 23 at The Rust Belt

Yeah, yeah yeah.  Save it.  I know nothing will be like Scott.  I was fortunate enough to see STP with Scott and it was great.  But, Jeff Gutt and the original members of STP still put on a great show for us.  The night started with our friends with The Forty Twos which was awesome to have them on the stage.  I didn't know much about Tyler Bryant, but he put on a solid set.  Then it was time for Stone Temple Pilots, and it was hit, after hit, after hit.  You knew all the songs.  Relive this one here.

Ice Nine Kills, November 21 at The Rust Belt

This was how our concert year ended, and what a way to end.  I knew what to expect from the night.  But I didn't know what to expect from the show.  Before the show, I was not ready to see all of you standing out in the freezing cold and wind.  The longest line I've seen at that place.  You are crazy....and I love it.  All four bands brought it hard for the packed house.  Normally, I'm one of the last people in the building with the rest of the Rust Belt crew.  Definitely after all the fans leave.  For this one, you stayed longer as the line for merch was nonstop all night.  I don't have pics of the merch, but you know I have show pics right here!

Quad Cities 2021 Concert Year In Review

So there you go.  Our concert year in review.  If you notice a theme for the year it's clear we have a lot of shows at The Rust Belt.  And we are still missing the big shows at the TaxSlayer Center.  One of those will remain the same, one of those will change.  The one remaining the same is more shows at The Rust Belt.  Our goal is to basically have one a month there.  And we are working on some more amazing ones.  Next year's recap will be longer.  The one that will change, the TaxSlayer Center.  You should know we already have Tool coming to town.  Hopefully, we will be getting more of the large venue bands to roll through town in 2022.  Speaking of 2022 shows...might as well go ahead and sign up to win tickets for all of them right here, right now.  See you at the next show.