ProgPower USA

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ProgPower USA
Logo for ProgPower USA XV
Genre	Progressive metal Power metal
Dates	February (2001) June (2022) September (2003–2006, 2008–2019, 2023–present) October (2007) November (2001–2002)
Location(s)	Lansing, Illinois (2001) Atlanta, Georgia (2001–2019, 2022–present)
Years active	2001–2019, 2022–present
Founders	Glenn Harveston
Website	progpowerusa.com

ProgPower USA is a music festival held annually in the United States since 2001.^[1] Its upcoming edition, ProgPower USA XXIV is scheduled to take place on September 3–6, 2025. The festival's band selection process focuses on quality over quantity.^[2] In addition to the emphasis on the power and progressive metal genres, the festival has branched out into other genres with the inclusion of the "oddball" slot that does not fit the normal motif.^[3] ProgPower USA gives bands that have never performed in the States a chance to perform in the country.^[4] The festival has been described as a cultural experience for fans^[5] with autograph signing sessions, guest appearances, reunions, and meet-and-greets.^[6] The festival has hosted over 70 bands' USA debuts including Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Nightwish,^[7] and Stratovarius.

ProgPower USA began in 2001. The very first festival was February 23–24, 2001, in Lansing, Illinois, just outside Chicago, at J.J. Kelley's. The subsequent events have been held in Atlanta, Georgia, at Center Stage Atlanta (formerly Earthlink Live).^[8]

Festival founder and promoter, Glenn Harveston's notion of ProgPower USA began over dinner among friends after attending the Powermad festival in Baltimore, Maryland.^[9] As the festival progressed, the roster scope diversified with the intent of reaching a larger fan base.^[10] The brand's international success is based upon an unofficial partnership with ProgPower Europe.^[11] The festival overcame early hardship from an attendance perspective due to the tragic events of September 11 at ProgPower II^[12] and flourished with multiple sell-outs over the next 13 years.

In the program for ProgPower XIX (as well as repeated posts on social media), Glenn announced ProgPower XXV (in 2025) will be his final year of the festival.

ProgPower XXI is notorious for being delayed twice by the COVID-19 pandemic and being the first edition to be held in June.

ProgPower USA I was held at J.J. Kelley's in Lansing, Illinois, on February 23–24, 2001.

ProgPower USA II was held at Center Stage (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia on November 9 & 10, 2001.

ProgPower USA III was held at Center Stage (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 15–16, 2002

Pre-Show Party

The ProgPower USA III Pre-Show Party was held Thursday November 14, 2002, at The Riviera Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA IV was held on September 5–6, 2003, at Center Stage (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Pre-Show Party

The ProgPower USA IV Pre-Show Party was held September 4, 2003, at The Riviera Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA V took place on September 17–18, 2004, at Center Stage Atlanta (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Showcase

The Showcase took place on Thursday September 16, 2004, at The Eleven50 Club.

ProgPower USA VI took place on September 16–17, 2005 at Center Stage Atlanta (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Showcase

The Showcase took place on Thursday September 15, 2005, at The Loft (above Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA VII took place on September 15–16, 2006 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Showcase

The Showcase took place on Thursday September 14, 2006, at The Loft (above Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA VIII took place on October 5–6, 2007 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

The All Star Jam was a collaboration of members of various bands who performed throughout the weekend playing familiar classic metal songs.

Showcase

The Showcase took place on Thursday October 4, 2007, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. From 2007 forward all Showcases (now called the Kick-Off) take place at the main Center Stage theater.

ProgPower USA IX took place on September 26–27, 2008 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kick-Off

This Kick-Off for this year was billed as the Hellish Rock World Tour as Manticora, Gamma Ray and Helloween were on tour at the time and used the Showcase date as a regular tour stop. This event took place in the main Center Stage theater on Thursday September 25, 2008.

Mid-Week Mayhem

The first Mid-Week Mayhem at ProgPower USA was held at The Loft (above Center Stage on Wednesday September 24, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA X took place on September 11–12, 2009 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kick-Off

The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 10, 2009, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XI took place on September 10–11, 2010 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kick-Off

The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 9, 2010, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mid-Week Mayhem

The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 8, 2010, at The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XII took place on September 16–17, 2011 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kick-Off

The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 15, 2011, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mid-Week mayhem

The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 14, 2010, at The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Evergrey (Acoustic) followed by metal karaoke.

ProgPower USA XIII took place on September 14–15, 2012, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Instead of a Kick-Off and Mid-Week Mayhem, Nightwish and Kamelot performed Wednesday and Thursday night before the festival, September 12–13, 2012.

ProgPower USA XIV took place on September 6–7, 2013, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kick-Off

The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 5, 2013, at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mid-week Mayhem

The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 4, 2013, at The Loft at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XV took place on September 12–13, 2014, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kick-Off

The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 11, 2014, at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mid-Week Mayhem

The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 10, 2014.

ProgPower USA XVI took place on September 11–12, 2015, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kick-Off

The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 10, 2015, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mid-Week Mayhem

The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 9, 2015, at The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XVII took place on September 7–10, 2016, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Starting in 2016, ProgPower USA became a full four-day event. The Mid-Week Mayhem (Wednesday) and Kick-Off (Thursday) shows are now known as Days 1 and 2 respectively of the new format, while the traditional ProgPower USA Friday and Saturday shows are now Days 3 and 4 respectively.

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 (September 7–8, 2016) took place at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. Day 2 (Thursday show) was called the Promoter's Pick night. There were four bands per day.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 (September 9–10, 2016) took place at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. These days are considered to be main event with six bands per day.

ProgPower USA XVIII took place on September 6–9, 2017 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 took place on September 6–7, 2017, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with four bands on Wednesday and five bands on Thursday.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 took place on September 8–9, 2017, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with six bands per day.

ProgPower USA XIX took place on September 5–8, 2018 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 took place on September 5–6, 2018 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with four bands per day.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 took place on September 7–8, 2018 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with six bands per day.

ProgPower USA XX took place on September 4–7, 2019 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 took place on September 4–5, 2019 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with four bands per day.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 took place on September 6–7, 2019 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with six bands per day.

ProgPower USA XXI took place on June 1–4, 2022, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.^[13]

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 took place on June 1–2, 2022, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 took place on June 3–4, 2022 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XXII took place on September 6–9, 2023 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 took place on September 6–7, 2023 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 took place on September 8–9, 2023 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XXIII took place on September 4–7, 2024 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 took place on September 4–5, 2024 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 took place on September 6–7, 2024 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XXIV took place on September 3–6, 2025 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 took place on September 3–4, 2025 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 took place on September 5–6, 2025 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XXV is scheduled to take on September 9–12, 2026 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 1 & 2

Days 1 and 2 are scheduled to take place on September 9–10, 2026 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Days 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 are scheduled to take place on September 11–12, 2026 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

ProgPower USA XXI was originally scheduled to take place on September 9–12, 2020 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was postponed. This was announced on May 22, 2020.^[14]

The rescheduled dates for ProgPower USA XXI were to take place on September 8–11, 2021 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed again.

1. EvilG. "Heart of Steel: Interviews Glenn Harveston Organizer of ProgPower USA." Metal-Rules. March 2003. Web. November 28, 2013.

2. http://vimeo.com/75257334

3. Gromen, Mark. "Onstage ProgPower VII." Metal Maniacs. February 2007: 108–109. Print.

4. Wagner, Jeff; Wilson, Steven (2010). Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal. Bazillion Points Books. p. 331. ISBN 0979616336.

5. Devani, Sarjoo. "ProgPower USA VII." Explicitly Intense. 2006: 46–47. Print.

6. Hicks, Taylor. "ProgPower USA." Rock N Roll. December 2012: 50–51. Print.

7. Popke, Michael. "A Progressively Metallic Power Play: ProgPower USA V Unfolds with Plenty of Surprises and Establishes itself as one of the World's Elite Music Festivals." Progression Magazine. Spring 2005: 71–74. Print.

8. Ollila, Mape (2007). Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996–2006. Deggael Communications. p. 191. ISBN 9789529974924.

9. Murphy, Bill. "Glenn Harveston: "I Think I Have Reached An Elite Level With This Festival". Dark Rhapsody. December 2007. Web. November 28, 2013.

10. Mendonca, Milton. "Audio Interview with ProgPower USA Promoter, Glenn Harveston PART 1." YouTube. November 12, 2012. November 28, 2013.

11. Reesman, Bryan. "A Ride with Dream Theater's John Petrucci." Grammy.com. September 2013. Web. November 28, 2013.

12. De Campos, Vanessa. "ProgPower USA IX Atlanta, 26th September 2008." Fireworks. March/April 2009: 77–78. Print. Issue 35

13. Johnsen, Matt. "ProgPower 2.0." Metal Maniacs. August 2002: 96–98. Print.

• Wagner, Jeff; Wilson, Steven (2010). Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal. Bazillion Points Books. p. 331. ISBN 978-0-9796163-3-4.
• Sharpe-Young (2007). Metal, the Definitive Guide. Jawbone Press. pp. 336, 339, 417. ISBN 978-1-906002-87-9.
• Reesman, Bryan (June 23, 2001). "Bubbling Under the Surface: Progressive Rock is Ready to Make a Comeback". Billboard Magazine. 113 (25): 30. ISSN 0006-2510.
• Browne, Nichola (October 27, 2007). "Heavy Duty: Spine Tinglers". Billboard Magazine. 119 (43): 20. ISSN 0006-2510.
• Titus, Christa (June 4, 2005). "Festivals Keeping Prog Rock Alive". Billboard Magazine. 117 (23): 19. ISSN 0006-2510.
• Ollila, Mape (2007). Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996–2006. Deggael Communications. p. 191. ISBN 9789529974924.
• Sharpe-Young, Garry (2007). Metal: The Definitive Guide. Jawbone Press. pp. 336, 339, 417. ISBN 978-1-906002-87-9.
• Johnsen, Matt. "ProgPower Fest IV." Metal Maniacs. March 2004: 85–88. Print.
• Frederick, Carl. "Experience ProgPower USA from the Eyes of a First-time Attendee." Metalunderground.com. September 19, 2012. Web. November 28, 2013.
• Serafine, Frank. "ProgPower USA XIV: At a Glance- Newcomers and What to Watch For." Metalunderground.com. August 21, 2013. Web. November 28, 2013.
• War, Erika. "ProgPower XIV – A Quick Review." Rocknotes Webzine. September 2013. Web. November 28, 2013.
• Gromen, Mark. "ProgPower USA 2013 – Good-Natured Family Feud." Bravewords.com. September 11, 2013. Web. November 28, 2013.
• Richardson, Justin. "ProgPower USA 2012 Recap Day 1." Hellbound.ca. February 22, 2013. Web. November 28, 2013.

Nov 28, 2013.

• Griffy, Chris. "ProgPower USA 2014 Sells Out on Strength of Exclusives." Examiner.com. November 4, 2013. January 4, 2014.
• Gromen, Mark. "JON OLIVA'S PAIN Introduce New Guitarist; ProgPower USA To Be Only Show For 2014." Bravewords.com. April 24, 2014. Web. April 24, 2014.
• Frederick, Carl. "ProgPower USA Names Need As Replacement Act As Thought Chamber Drops Off Roster." Metalunderground.com. April 23, 2014. Web. April 24, 2014.
• "Prog, Power & The Glory" Metal Maniac Heavy Metal Magazine, in Italian

November 2014, pages 48–50, ISSN 1825-7992

• Ahola, Esa. ProgPower USA. Web. November 28, 2013.
• Thomas, Allen Ross. ProgPower USA. Web. November 28, 2013.
• Schmidt, Stephen. ProgPower USA. Web. November 28, 2013.

• Official website (Archived version)
• ProgPower USA on YouTube