The Rust Belt

History

The Rust Belt is a concert hall in a former auto-factory foundry at 533 12th Avenue, East Moline, Illinois, across the river from Davenport in the Quad Cities, not inside Davenport city limits. The complex was the Root & VanDervoort plant (moved to East Moline in 1901) and later housed Moline-Knight and QC Metal Pickling. East Moline Glass owner Larry Anderson renovated the foundry into a hall that kept the industrial structure; the venue says it holds nearly 4,000, while a 2025 Gas Engine Magazine account lists capacity at 3,200. The first event was in February 2019, with Sean Moeller booking the opening Moeller Nights Festival. Alumni listed by the hall include Bon Iver, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Jimmy Eat World, and Shakey Graves. (therustbeltqc.com/story; Gas Engine Magazine, November 17, 2025; Visit Quad Cities)