The Rust Belt — Local services in East Moline

Live music is my thing - I've attended hundreds of concerts all over the country, and this was, hands down, the worst venue I've ever encountered.

When I arrived, it was dark and raining, and the parking lot was chained off. There were no attendants or signs to direct anyone where to park, so I was one of several cars circling round and round the surrounding blocks trying to drive past again to try and figure it out. That is, until a train rolled through and I was trapped for 20 minutes. I finally asked a group of people who were walking in and they directed me to a lot about a half mile away - I'm sure I was not authorized to park there, but I had no idea where else to go.

The venue itself is a looooong hall type (converted auto plant). I made my way to the bar where I waited 20 minutes to pay $7 for a warm beer (in a can, from a cooler, but I suspect it hadn't been in the cooler long).

As the venue filled for the sold-out show, I could tell it was going to be a challenging environment, and I wasn't wrong. By the third song of the set, it was so hot and stuffy, with zero air movement and gobs of body heat, that I was forced outside with the smokers to get a breath of fresh air. I stayed outside long enough to cool off a bit and braved my way back in. Standing about halfway back on the floor, the sound was terrible. It was muddled and obscured by the talking of everyone else around me, none of us impressed by the sound quality. I'm sure the folks in the first 1/3 of the venue nearest the stage could probably hear well, but the rest of us? Not so much.

It wasn't long before I was back outside again, attempting to cool off and get some air, and I was joined outside by a good 15-ish% of the attendees with the same goal, with at least one person receiving medical attention for being overheated. Got to chatting with a young couple who had traveled all the way from Peoria and had come to the same conclusion - worst. venue. ever.

As I cooled off and caught my breath, I just couldn't talk myself into going back inside. It takes a lot for me to leave a concert early. Tonight was a lot. So I hiked the half mile back to my car and left, thoroughly disappointed to miss this show I had so been looking forward to and disappointed that a promising new local venue held so little promise.

This is simply not the $40-per-ticket venue they...

I have went to a couple events this year and have enjoyed. It's a great updated building with that rustic vibe. The sound has been great each time so if someone says something different, there might be more than one person to blame for that. Drinks are a little pricey but one is usually good for me anyway. They have had some great events in 2022 and I'm already on the prowl for a few more this year. Parking is good and one shouldn't complain about parking anyway. That comes with the territory. Parking is always the worst thing about going to any decent event. I give it a 4 Star because of seating. Standing 3+ hours on a concrete floor starts to wear on ya. This seems to be one of the main if not only issue I hear from others that I know that have went. I know it is a concert and that comes with the territory as well but I may have to start missing the opening act. As my wife feels the same. I know Sabastian Bach has stopped some shows not once but twice because people weren't jumping. "Dude! We're 50+ years old. We're Not jumping!" lol.

I will say these fees on tickets that are getting charged are not appealing and a Box Office (not one that I'm aware of) would not hurt even if it was only open a couple of days a week for limited hours.

Overall a big plus and much needed venue back here in the area. Good places to eat close by as well as good hotels as well if you are driving a distance. So, 4...

First time coming here to see Upchurch! It is an awesome venue! You can show up as early as you want to get in line. We got there mid morning. We had food from Jennie's Boxcar which was delicious & not as expensive as others had stated. We also had a few coffees from Iron+Grain Coffeehouse which did not disappoint. The venue employees are nice and helpful. Plenty of drink options. Bathrooms are nice & clean. & absolutely no complaints about the sound quality, it was amazing.

This venue does get hot. They have fans on the ceiling to help. This is a venue where you are in CLOSE contact with everyone around, it gets hot, people get sweaty. If that's not your style, I would not attend. It's not a sit down venue like a stadium with seats and air flow. It's basically a free for all, party, feeling like a teenager again, venue.

Do research on places before you attend! If your favorite artist is coming, but you can't stand on concrete for a few hours or you don't like tight quarters and warm air, this venue isn't for you.

You are also allowed to dance and won't get kicked out (based off someone's negative review). & the parking lot isn't awful either. It's paved and if you're there early enough, you get a good spot on the paved part. Otherwise overflow parking is rocky gravel which isn't an issue if you drive slow. A lot of the negative reviews...