Q Casino + Resort Sets Dubuque’s Live Music Standard with Warrant Concert

The fact that Q Casino + Resort's first show for their "2024 Outdoor Summer Concert Series" occurred on June 1st felt absolutely perfect. The start of a new month was the opportune time to kick off a festival-like atmosphere with three rock heavy-hitters performing on the Back Waters Stage.

Not to mention, it provided people an opportunity to get a look at the newly renovated casino-floor and adjoining space.

After months of build-up and hype, FireHouse, Lita Ford, and Warrant took the stage for a memorable evening of classic rock. Mother Nature cooperated after a morning and early-afternoon of rain; there was a dry, pleasantly cool feel to the Back Waters Stage that signaled the waning days of spring and the incoming heat of the summer. Weather aside, the bands themselves had plenty of fire to bring to the setting.

FireHouse was the first to take the stage, their set made more poignant to anyone who knew that their lead singer, C. J. Snare, who passed away from colon cancer in April. The band's new lead singer, Nate Peck, made a point to highlight C. J. and signal attention to a video montage of the late great midway through their set. He filled in valiantly, and anyone who has seen FireHouse knows to expect adrenaline and melody.

From there, Lita Ford, who can still bring down a house at 65-years-old, took the stage with her immensely talented band. Ford is known for her time with the short-lived-yet-impacting band The Runaways, and has been credited as one of the first mainstream female voices in rock and metal. Ford crushed it, her band, including Patrick Kennison on guitar, Gary Hoey on bass, and the ceaselessly entertaining Bobby Rock, who at one point, used his head in place of his sticks on drums.

Warrant took the stage to total jubilation from the crowd, firing off hits from their debut album, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, as well as new songs from their latest record, Louder Harder Faster. The band's lead singer, Robert Mason, kept the crowd engaged, encouraging participation, and recognizing familiar faces in the Turpin Tailgate section of the venue. By the time the band launched into their encore ("Cherry Pie," of course), there wasn't a soul not singing along.

The first major concert of 2024 allowed concertgoers to get a first-hand look at Q Casino + Resort's renovations that were revealed during their "Phase 2" grand opening last week. This included:

• A remodel of the existing lower casino
• An upgraded center bar and lounge with bar-top slot machines
• New casino games
• Updates to the Q Showroom with an enhanced, state-of-the-art sound system and VIP area
• The new Q Sports Book and Island Social Kitchen + Bar

One of the big elements in this grand opening is the Island Social Kitchen + Bar, which will play a pivotal role in the "Island Social family entertainment venue" that will open later this year. It offers an elevated menu in a lively environment, complete with large TVs and video walls through the entire venue, a wide variety of crafted cocktails, and a menu of Americana-inspired food, desserts, and more.

Furthermore, Q Casino + Resort has several other artists who will be coming to Dubuque to perform on their Back Waters Stage this summer:

• Billy Currington with special guests Chayce Beckham and Mackenzie Carpenter will be performing on Friday, June 28th.
• Lil Jon and Mike Jones will be bringing the party to Dubuque on Saturday, June 29th.
• I Prevail, Hollywood Undead, and another to-be-announced guest will be bringing metal and rap to the venue on Friday, July 12th.
• 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.
• Riley Green brings another great country show to the area on Thursday, August 29th.

See all the artists coming to Q Casino + Resort's Back Waters Stage this summer here, and get a taste of the extent of their renovations plans, which are expected to run through 2025 and only get bigger here!

Find out more about Q Casino + Resort on their website.