First Music Lineup Drop for 2026 Festival Announced

Free multi-city Quad Cities festival returns August 13–16 with performances across more than 50 venues and public spaces

Alternating Currents has officially released the first wave of musical artists for the 2026 festival, offering an early look at the performers set to energize Downtown Davenport, Rock

Island and Bettendorf August 13–16.

This initial drop features more than 65 artists spanning indie rock, punk, hip hop, funk, blues, jazz, metal and genre-bending experimental sounds, reflecting the diverse creative spirit that defines the Alternating Currents experience.

Organizers are encouraging attendees to download the Alternating Currents mobile app now to begin exploring the lineup and building their plans. Fans can also stream the official Alternating Currents 2026 Spotify playlist, featuring artists from the first lineup drop and offering an early preview of the sounds shaping this year’s festival.

“This lineup reflects exactly what Alternating Currents is designed to do, creating moments of discovery and energy throughout our downtowns,” said Alisha Espey, Alternating Currents Festival Director. “We’re bringing together artists from across the country alongside some of the Quad Cities’ most exciting creative voices and inviting people to experience music in spaces that feel immersive, unexpected and uniquely local.”

First Drop Music Lineup

7Ark, Achromatic of Time, Adam Greuel & The Space Burritos, Alborn, American Devil Sound, Andrew Hoyt, Angela Meyer, Barefoot & Sunshine, BCMC, Beth Lizano Band, Big Head Mode, Black Note Graffiti, BurntMcMelbaToast, Camp Regret, Chris Otepka (of Troubled Hubble / The Heligoats), CJ Parker, CMD/LINES, Colt Ball & the Git Down, Dan Hubbard, Dodge Street Duo, Dr. Lee, Eva Kendall, The Ex-Bombers, Flabbergastor, The Forty Twos, Graveyard Choir, Hard Love, Heatbox, Heavy Quitters, Iris Marlowe, Jason Walsmith Storyteller, Jeni Grouws, Jenny Lynn Stacy, Jim Swim, Joe Policastro Trio, Jumbies, Lady Igraine, Lainey Jean, Lauren Anderson, The Lavender Project, Loess Hills, LowDown Brass Band, Matt Woods, McKinley James, Mercury's Crown, Mo Carter & Alex Axup, Mountain Swallower, Nicole Dean, Nur-D, Panic River Band, Paxton Sherbeyn, Pretoria, Pump Action, Randall Hall, Randy Leasman, Rudy Love and the Encore, The Rumours, Stacked Like Pancakes, SUNVOLUME, Tanner Dane, The Toxhards, The Tripp Brothers, Violets, wht.rbbt.obj and Worst Impressions.

This announcement offers an early look at the 2026 music lineup, with additional music acts still to be announced alongside upcoming comedy, film, mural and visual art programming releases– along with the full schedule information and performance times – rolling out throughout the spring and summer.

The 2026 festival is expected to feature more than 200 performances, screenings, exhibits and events across four days and more than 50 venues and public spaces throughout the region.