Burlington Riverfront concert moved to Westland Mall due to flooding

BURLINGTON - Westland Mall in West Burlington will be the site of a two-day outdoor concert event on June 21 and 22 that was originally planned for the Burlington Riverfront. The concert site was moved due to flooding at the original venue.

The concerts will be held in the Westland Mall parking lot on the Northwest side near the space formerly occupied by Younkers. Burlington Riverfront Entertainment is organizing the concerts in collaboration with Peoria-based Inked Entertainment. Headliners for the two-day event are country artist Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. and Southern rock act 38 Special.

'We are very grateful to a variety of community partners including Westland Mall, the City of West Burlington, West Burlington Police Department, our event sponsors and the Burlington Riverfront Entertainment board of directors for helping make this move on short notice. Because of them, the show can go on,” said Mike O Neil, Executive Director of Burlington Riverfront Entertainment.

Friday's concerts will feature all country music with Mitchell Tenpenny and Hardy joining headliner Smith in the lineup.

Smith is best known for his No. 1 smash hit 'Back road Song” which he followed with top five single 'If the Boot Fits.” His current full length album 'When the Good Guys Win” has spawned the top 15 hit 'Happens Like That” and current fast-rising single 'You're In It.”

Tenpenny will perform crowd-pleasing party songs like 'Drunk Me” and 'Alcohol You Later.” Hardy, a relative newcomer to the nationally touring country music scene, is making waves with his debut single 'Rednecker.” Local artists David Kroll & Heartland and Stumptown will play on the South Stage June 21.

The concert on June 22 will have a variety of music types. 38 Special has several Gold and Platinum albums to their credit, and concertgoers will recognize many songs from the featured band including 'Hold On Loosely,” 'Rockin' Into the Night,” 'Caught Up in You,” 'Fantasy Girl,” 'If I'd Been the One,” 'Back Where You Belong,” 'Chain Lightnin'” and 'Second Chance.”

Also, Saturday evening will be rising country stars Tucker Beathard and Craig Gerdes. Regional rock acts Ghost of Judas and Evolver will perform on the South Stage.

A free kickoff event is being held Thursday, June 20, at the Westland Mall site. The event will feature bands Headfirst, The Leftovers and Caught in the Crypt.

'We hope people will come down and check out our alternate site and decide to come back for more fun Friday and Saturday,' O Neil said.

The Friday Fest scheduled for Friday, June 14, has been canceled and will be rescheduled to a date later in the summer.

Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Burlington Riverfront Entertainment Box Office is also being relocated due to flooding. Beginning June 11, tickets may be purchased at Drake Hardware and Software, 211 N. Fifth Street in Burlington, Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, follow Burlington Memorial Auditorium on Facebook or visit www.burlingtonriverfront.com.