A Festival of Their Own

 

There's another music festival happening in the Quad Cities this weekend, and it has little to do with Bix Biederbecke or Jazz.

Variety is the Spice of Life

I looked at the schedule last week and realized someone could easily spend an entire evening without ever leaving downtown Davenport. There was so much going on without even considering the country music festival just a few blocks away. And this year, I chose to spend my weekend in the local scene instead of hitting the festival. So I began with Friday Live @ 5 at the RME and went from there…

Slip N Slide Music Festival - Special Edition

A week ago I embarked upon a new experience and had the time of my life. It MUST have been the time of my life, because it took me 3 days to recover! In reality, this one experience created more than one checkmark in the “done” column of my life. And I might just have to do it again!

That’s right… I attended my first Slip N Slide Festival. Some of you reading this were there, and I would imagine have been there before. Others have been to festivals elsewhere… and you’re all thinking, “So what?” The fact is, this was more than one first for me. It was my first experience camping at a festival. Yes, I stayed the night. In a tent. Without an air mattress. (I have since bought an air mattress). I did NOT go down the slide. I was just really too busy working. You see, another first, this festival provided my first All-Access Media pass. I was, in a sense, the official festival photographer.

Funk - Festivals and Fun - Live Music in the Quad Cities

What does a live music blogger do the week after a three-day blues festival? Go check out more live music, naturally! Those Blues Fest photos were barely out of my camera when I once again headed out in search and support of live music.

Mississippi Valley Blues Festival

I took a different approach to the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival this year.  In the past, I selected one or two bands that I wanted to see, and just attended those days. This year, I attended every day, including the pre-fest party at The Muddy Waters and two nights of post-fest jam sessions. I didn’t get to see every act, and only attended two of the workshops, but I definitely had a healthy dose of blues. By the end of Saturday night, I was exhausted but elated. It was absolutely the best Blues Fest I’ve attended.

So Many Choices Only One Me - Live Music in the QC

Another 4^th of July and another Blues Fest –done and done. This is the first year that I made it to three days of Blues Fest (and one night of pre-fest party), but that was at the cost of missing some of the 4^th of July festivities. I tried to get away from the fest on Friday to check out a show at Rozz-tox as well, but a delay forced me to abandon that plan. I know I can't be everywhere at once - and this week's schedule will definitely prove that. So many choices!

Rock, Blues and Reggae - QC Live Music

It’s Blues Fest week in the Quad Cities! Blues Fest acts are listed in this week’s calendar, plus you can find a lot more information on the River Cities Reader site. Meanwhile, here’s a run-down on some bands I saw on the weekend.