A Trio of Bands Brought Hard Rock Energy Dubuque’s Back Waters Stage

Q Casino + Resort's Back Waters Stage was booming with energy thanks to a trifecta of talent that performed at the ever-popular venue on Friday, July 12th. Three popular rock bands took the stage to treat a crowd of thousands to some of their favorite hits over the course of over three hours.

Fit for a King, Hollywood Undead, and I Prevail all performed for adoring fans young and old. Merely weeks after back-to-back concerts, Billy Currington and Lil Jon, respectively, Q Casino + Resort reminded everyone how it was done. When gates open at 6pm, people packed the Turpin Tailgate section and the GA concourse in anticipation for another memorable Sunday show by one of the Tri-States' meccas for entertainment.

The first band to take the stage on Friday night was Fit for a King (FFAK), a Dallas-based metalcore band that has released a string of successful albums since 2013. Fit for a King was the perfect primer for the evening. They were loud and energetic, their passion not only clear but reciprocated by the audience. Among their setlist was songs from their most recent album, The Hell We Create, released in 2022.

Following FFAK was Hollywood Undead, a band I could've feasibly seen being the headliner for the night. My girlfriend, Catherine, is a big fan, so I've heard many of their songs a time or two.

Hollywood Undead is known for their hybridization of rap and rock stylings coupled with their modernized nu metal sound (nu nu metal?). They are effective because they keep their music light and predicated on energy. When they launched into the hilariously vulgar and instantly singable "Everywhere I Go," the band didn't even need to ask for an assist from the crowd.

Hollywood Undead's debut album, cheekily titled Swan Songs, remains a classic for 90s babies. Charlie Scene and company were happy to oblige with several cuts off that record, along with their newest album Hotel Kalifornia (which was represented on stage via the band's gear).

Fianlly, all eyes were on I Prevail when they took the stage shortly after 9pm. The Michigan-born band has covered a lot of ground musically and commercially over the last 10+ years.

Their first hit was a metal cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space," a song that exudes even more explosive energy and bottled-up angst live as the studio version. Not being super familiar with I Prevail and their discography, I was captived by co-lead vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe and his stage presence. Vanlerberghe kept the crowd engaged, and man, can he scream.

I Prevail is known for "Breaking Down" and "Hurricane," both of which had prominent places in their setlist on Friday night. Just when it looked like the show would end, the crowd began to chant. "One more song!" "One more song!"

The Back Waters Stage lights turned back on, the music kicked up again, and there emerged Vanlerberghe from the darkness backstage with a single statement that sent the crowd into a new stratosphere.

"YOU WANT ONE MORE SONG? I'LL GIVE YOU TWO!"

That's how you invigorate an audience!

Also, if I could make a recommendation, the next time you visit Q Casino + Resort, not only must you visit their newly opened Island Social Kitchen + Bar, but you've got to try their Backwaters Dog. I've eaten three in the last month and I'm already craving another.

The Backwaters Dog is a foot-long hot dog wrapped in bacon, piled high with cheese curds, pickles, and onion straws and glazed with delectable barbeque aioli. It's an explosion of flavor, almost like poutine. You can choose from French fries, mashed potatoes, or one of the restaurant's many sides (I opt for grilled asparagus, it pairs perfectly). It's a filling meal, washed down very well with one of their premier cocktails.

Until next time, I'll see you at one of these upcoming shows on the Back Waters Stage:

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• Beartooth, Currents, Boundaries, and Nevertel will keep the rock going on Thursday, July 18th.
• Country-rapper Upchurch will be taking the stage on Friday, August 2nd.
• Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with special guest Shemekia Copeland will be performing on Friday, August 9th.
• Ice Nine Kills, along with Avatar and TX2, will bring their "In the Moment: Kiss of Death Tour Part 2" to Dubuque on Saturday, August 10th.
• Disturbed and Plush will be performing on Wednesday, August 28th.
• Riley Green brings another great country show to the area on Thursday, August 29th.