ProgPower USA is a music festival held annually in the United States that primarily focuses on progressive metal and power metal. It was founded in 2001. Its upcoming edition, ProgPower USA XXVI is scheduled to take place on September 9-11, 2027. The festival's band selection process focuses on quality over quantity. 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. ProgPower USA gives bands that have never performed in the States a chance to perform in the country. The festival has been described as a cultural experience for fans with autograph signing sessions, guest appearances, reunions, and meet-and-greets. The festival has hosted over 70 bands' USA debuts including Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Nightwish, and Stratovarius.
History 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 the Center Stage Theater (formerly Earthlink Live).
Festival founder and retired promoter, Glenn Harveston's notion of ProgPower USA began over dinner among friends after attending the Powermad festival in Baltimore, Maryland. As the festival progressed, the roster scope diversified with the intent of reaching a larger fan base. The brand's international success is based upon an unofficial partnership with ProgPower Europe. The festival overcame early hardship from an attendance perspective due to the tragic events of September 11 at ProgPower II and flourished with multiple sell-outs over the next 13 years.
ProgPower XXI was notorious for being delayed twice by the COVID-19 pandemic and being the first edition to be held in June.
In the program for ProgPower XIX (as well as repeated posts on social media), Glenn announced ProgPower XXV (held in 2026) would be his final year of the festival.
Starting with ProgPower XXVI in 2027, the festival will be promoted by Milton Mendonça.
Lineups
February 2001 ProgPower USA I was held at J.J. Kelley's in Lansing, Illinois, on February 23–24, 2001.
ProgPower USA I Country of origin Onward USA Etheria USA Power of Omens USA Zero Hour USA Reading Zero USA Ion Vein USA Destiny's End USA Jag Panzer USA Evergrey Sweden Pain of Salvation Sweden Symphony X USA
November 2001 ProgPower USA II was held at Center Stage (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia on November 9 & 10, 2001.
ProgPower USA II Country of origin Superior Germany Balance of Power England Nightingale Sweden Spiral Architect Norway Steel Prophet USA Angel Dust Germany Ark Norway Evergrey Sweden Kamelot USA Symphony X USA
2002
ProgPower USA III was held at Center Stage (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 15–16, 2002. The ProgPower USA III Pre-Show Party was held Thursday November 14, 2002, at The Riviera Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pre-Show Party - Thursday November 14, 2002
Pre-Show Party Country of origin Cea Serin USA Persephone's Dream USA Magistral USA
Day 1 - Friday November 15, 2002
ProgPower USA III - Day 1 Country of origin Zero Hour USA Silent Force Germany Edguy Germany Blind Guardian Germany Pain of Salvation Sweden
Day 2 - Saturday November 16, 2002
ProgPower USA III - Day 2 Country of origin Reading Zero USA Threshold United Kingdom The Devin Townsend Band Canada Gamma Ray Germany Angra Brazil
2003 ProgPower USA IV was held on September 5–6, 2003, at Center Stage (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA IV Country of origin Redemption USA Mercenary Denmark Vanden Plas Germany Nightwish Finland Symphony X USA Pagan's Mind Norway Secret Sphere Italy Circle II Circle USA Evergrey Sweden Rage Germany
Pre-Show Party The ProgPower USA IV Pre-Show Party was held September 4, 2003, at The Riviera Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pre-Show Party Country of origin Katagory V USA Stride USA Prymary USA
2004 ProgPower USA V took place on September 17–18, 2004, at Center Stage Atlanta (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA V Country of origin Into Eternity Canada Dreamscape Germany Tad Morose Sweden Kamelot USA Weapons of Mass Destruction USA Adagio France Wuthering Heights Denmark Brainstorm Germany Pain of Salvation Sweden Edguy Germany
Showcase The Showcase took place on Thursday September 16, 2004, at The Eleven50 Club.
Showcase Country of origin Prototype USA Magistral USA Enertia USA Halcyon Way USA
2005 ProgPower USA VI took place on September 16–17, 2005 at Center Stage Atlanta (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA VI Country of origin Manticora Denmark Circus Maximus Norway Orphaned Land Israel Conception Norway Angra Brazil Stride USA Symphorce Germany Pink Cream 69 Germany Therion Sweden Stratovarius Finland
Showcase The Showcase took place on Thursday September 15, 2005, at The Loft (above Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Showcase Country of origin Dreamscape Germany D.C. Cooper USA Outworld USA Orphaned Land (acoustic set) Israel
2006 ProgPower USA VII took place on September 15–16, 2006 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA VII Country of origin Pyramaze Denmark Savage Circus Germany/Sweden Freak Kitchen Sweden Mercenary Denmark Evergrey Sweden Zero Hour USA Vision Divine Italy Thunderstone Finland Epica Netherlands Jørn Norway
Showcase The Showcase took place on Thursday September 14, 2006, at The Loft (above Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Showcase Country of origin Theocracy USA Circus Maximus Norway Leatherwolf USA Circle II Circle USA
2007 ProgPower USA VIII took place on October 5–6, 2007 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA VIII Country of origin Raintime Italy Communic Norway Virgin Steele USA Redemption USA Pagan's Mind Norway Sonata Arctica Finland Firewind Greece Threshold United Kingdom Primal Fear Germany After Forever Netherlands All Star Jam n/a 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.
Kick-Off Country of origin Halcyon Way USA Krucible USA Cellador USA Freak Kitchen Sweden
2008 ProgPower USA IX took place on September 26–27, 2008 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA IX Country of origin Pathosray Italy Elvenking Italy Andromeda Sweden Iron Savior Germany Riverside Poland Amorphis Finland Saint Deamon Sweden Spheric Universe Experience France Rob Rock USA Mustasch Sweden Jon Oliva's Pain USA Iced Earth USA
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.
Kick-Off Country of origin Manticora Denmark Gamma Ray Germany Helloween Germany
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.
Mid-Week Mayhem Country of origin Circle II Circle USA Midnight USA Eclipsed by Sanity USA
2009 ProgPower USA X took place on September 11–12, 2009 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA X Country of origin Cage USA Mindflow Brazil Diablo Swing Orchestra Sweden Sabaton Sweden Royal Hunt Denmark Crimson Glory USA Circus Maximus Norway Orphaned Land Israel Pagan's Mind Norway Brainstorm Germany Fates Warning USA
Kick-Off The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 10, 2009, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kick-Off Country of origin Future's End USA Suspyre USA Enchant USA Primal Fear Germany
2010 ProgPower USA XI took place on September 10–11, 2010 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA XI Country of origin Illusion Suite Norway Stormwarrior Germany Leaves' Eyes Germany/Norway Seventh Wonder Sweden Týr Faroe Islands Nocturnal Rites Sweden Kamelot USA Blackguard Canada Oceans of Sadness Belgium DGM Italy Delain Netherlands Tarot Finland HammerFall Sweden
Kick-Off The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 9, 2010, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kick-Off Country of origin Six Minute Century USA Borealis Canada Leprous Norway Accept Germany
Mid-Week Mayhem The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 8, 2010, at The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mid-Week Mayhem Country of origin Seven Kingdoms USA Vangough USA Ross the Boss USA
2011 ProgPower USA XII took place on September 16–17, 2011 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA XII Country of origin Creation's End USA Darkwater Sweden Voyager Australia Eldritch Italy Mob Rules Germany Ihsahn Norway Sanctuary USA Haken United Kingdom While Heaven Wept USA Red Circuit Germany Labyrinth Italy Forbidden USA Therion Sweden
Kick-Off The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 15, 2011, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kick-Off Country of origin PowerGlove USA Vanden Plas Germany Evergrey Sweden
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.
2012 ProgPower USA XIII took place on September 14–15, 2012, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA XIII Country of origin Sinbreed Germany Kingcrow Italy Amaranthe Sweden Serenity Austria Primordial Ireland Redemption USA Epica Netherlands Beyond the Bridge Germany Lanfear Germany Solution .45 Sweden Mystic Prophecy Germany MaYaN Netherlands Pretty Maids Denmark Symphony X USA
Instead of a Kick-Off and Mid-Week Mayhem, Nightwish and Kamelot performed Wednesday and Thursday night before the festival, September 12–13, 2012.
2013 ProgPower USA XIV took place on September 6–7, 2013, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower USA XIV County of Origin Damnation Angels United Kingdom Myrath Tunisia Xandria Germany Wolverine Sweden Ashes of Ares USA Soilwork Sweden Shadow Gallery USA Divinity Compromised USA Heaven's Cry Canada Wolf Sweden Circus Maximus Norway Armored Saint USA Sabaton Sweden
Kick-Off The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 5, 2013, at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kick-Off Country of origin In The Silence USA Circle II Circle USA Luca Turilli's Rhapsody Italy
Mid-week Mayhem The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 4, 2013, at The Loft at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mid-Week Mayhem Country of origin Morglbl France Mindcrime (a Queenrsyche Tribute) USA
2014 ProgPower USA XV took place on September 12–13, 2014, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
ProgPower XV Country of origin Need Greece Orden Ogan Germany Leprous Norway Overkill USA Seventh Wonder (playing Mercy Falls in its entirety) Sweden Stratovarius (playing Visions in its entirety) Finland Withem Norway Divided Multitude Norway Voodoo Circle Germany Masterplan Germany Pain of Salvation (playing Remedy Lane in its entirety) Sweden Jon Oliva's Pain (playing Savatage's Streets: A Rock Opera in its entirety) USA
Kick-Off The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 11, 2014, at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kick-Off Country of origin Draekon USA DGM Italy Pagan's Mind (playing Celestial Entrance in its entirety) Norway
Mid-Week Mayhem The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 10, 2014.
Mid-Week Mayhem Country of origin Theocracy USA Vangough USA Pain of Salvation Sweden
2015 ProgPower USA XVI took place on September 11–12, 2015, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.