Alternating Currents — the four-day, multi-city summer festival — returns to the Quad Cities’ downtowns of Davenport, Rock Island and Bettendorf from Thursday to Sunday, Aug. 13-16.
Alternating Currents recently released the lineup of its first wave of musical artists set to energize Downtown Quad Cities. The initial drop features more than 65 artists spanning indie rock, punk, hip hop, funk, blues, jazz, metal and genre-bending experimental sounds – all a reflection of AC’s diverse creative spirit.
“This lineup reflects exactly what Alternating Currents is designed to do, creating moments of discovery and energy throughout our downtowns,” Alisha Espey, festival director of Alternating Currents, said in a news release.
“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,” Ms. Espey added.
Event organizers urge attendees to download the Alternating Currents mobile app now to begin exploring the lineup and building their plans. Fans also can stream the official Alternating Currents 2026 Spotify playlist for a glimpse of artists from the first lineup drop and an early preview of this year’s sounds.
Additional music acts for the 2026 festival are still to be announced alongside upcoming comedy, film, mural and visual art programming releases. A full schedule with information and performance times will be rolled out this summer.
Founded in 2017 by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), the event now is powered through regional placemaking partnerships including DDP, Downtown Bettendorf Organization and Rock Island Downtown Alliance.
For more information, visit www.alternatingcurrentsqc.org.
2026 musical lineup
Performers announced in the first drop of musicians who will appear at Alternating Current’s are: 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.
Organizers say Alternating Currents has seen explosive growth and this year will feature more than 200 performances, screenings, exhibits and events across four days and at more than 50 venues and public spaces across the region.
Leading Alternating Currents supporters include: Presenting Sponsors, Regional Development Authority (RDA) and Rhythm City Casino Resort; Major Partners, The Goldstein Family Foundation and Luxtown.com; Music Partner, T-Fiber; and Accessibility Sponsor, Bechtel Trust. Additional programming and supporting sponsors include Nature’s Treatment of Illinois, The Last Picture House, Bent River Brewing Company, Express Employment Professionals, Front Street Brewery, Hive Event Consulting and Visit Quad Cities.
Spotlight on downtowns
The festival has evolved into one of the Midwest’s most unique festival experiences as a free, multi-city celebration of music, film, comedy and visual art that transforms downtown businesses, galleries, parks, bars, shops, museums and public spaces into a walkable cultural experience across the Quad Cities region.
Unlike a traditional gated festival, Alternating Currents is designed to immerse attendees directly into downtown districts and local businesses. Festivalgoers move between dozens of independently operated venues and outdoor stages throughout the weekend, discovering performances and experiences ranging from nationally touring musicians and indie filmmakers to stand-up comedy, mural installations, artist markets and interactive programming.
For more information and schedule updates, visit Alternating Currents website website here.
