Disturbed Gets Dubuque ‘Down with the Sickness’ During Their Back Waters Stage Show

It didn't matter that it was smackdab in the middle of the week. Fists were raised. Drinks were sipped. Metalheads all around the Tri-States and beyond gathered to watch a time-tested band take Q Casino's Back Waters Stage for the penultimate show of the 2024 Summer Concert Series.

That band was, of course, Disturbed. I have a special connection to the group. While not a hard rock/metal fan myself, my mother of all people was. I remember the CD of the band's debut album The Sickness living in my mom's car. I remember her bumping "Down with the Sickness" while waiting for the bus. She had the "Oooh-ah-ah-ah" down pat. I remember buying her the last copy of the Best Buy-exclusive deluxe edition of their album Ten Thousand Fists for her birthday one year.

With all that in mind, I was primed to experience Disturbed in person, regardless of what day of the week they happened to be in Dubuque. Thousands felt the same. The Back Waters Stage concourse was packed from the moment gates open for two stellar rock acts to bring their brand of energy to the area.

The concert began at 7:30pm with opening act, Plush, a group comprised of women ages 18-22. With loud hair and terrific musicianship, the group launched into their originals and saved their cover of Heart's hit song "Barracuda" for the end of their set.

At about 9pm, Disturbed took the stage before a crowd that was more than excited to see them. Led by vocalist/frontman David Draiman and guitarist Dan Donegan, Disturbed looked and sound every bit of themselves, David's apparent sinus infection be damned.

Heavy metal has never been my speed, but Disturbed, by their own admission, has segued from nu metal sounds in their early days to a hard rock persona and edge that makes them not as noisy as some of their contemporaries. They're melodic. Their performers have chemistry. They've been doing this as a unit long enough that it shows in various aspects of their performances.

Disturbed played hits from their new album, Divisive, and of course doubled back to play the classics, such as "Stupify" and "Ten Thousand Fists." Their three-song encore included "Down with the Sickness," which got the whole crowd amped.

As is the case with all August concerts on the Back Waters Stage, a wave of poignancy washed over me when watching the show. This will be the final Q Casino concert I attend for 2024, but I now harbor memories of another slew of great shows that took place over the last few months: Warrant, Billy Currington, and Ice Nine Kills, just to name a few.

After another exciting summer concert series, only one show remains for Q Casino's Back Waters Stage:

• Riley Green brings another great country show to the area on Thursday, August 29th.

Until then, I will see you at the Back Waters Stage once again for the 2025 Summer Concert.