ProgPower USA
ProgPower USA is a progressive, power metal, and progressive rock festival held annually in the United States since 2001. Its upcoming edition, ProgPower USA XXI is scheduled to take place September 8 - 11, 2021. 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 doesn't 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 including Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Nightwish, and Stratovarius.
History
ProgPower USA began in . The very first festival was February 23–24, 2001, in Lansing, Illinois, just outside Chicago, at . The subsequent events have been held in Atlanta, Georgia, at Center Stage Atlanta.Festival founder and promoter, Glenn Harveston's notion of ProgPower USA began over dinner among friends after attending the 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.
In the program for ProgPower XIX, Glenn announced ProgPower XXV will be his final year of the festival.
Lineups
February 2001
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
was held at Center Stage 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
was held at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA on November 15–16, 2002| ProgPower USA III | Country of Origin |
| Zero Hour | USA |
| Silent Force | Germany |
| Edguy | Germany |
| Blind Guardian | Germany |
| Pain of Salvation | Sweden |
| Reading Zero | USA |
| Threshold | United Kingdom |
| The Devin Townsend Band | Canada |
| Gamma Ray | Germany |
| Angra | Brazil |
;Pre-Show Party
The ProgPower USA III Pre-Show Party was held Thursday November 14, 2002 at The Riviera Club in Atlanta, GA.
| Pre-Show Party | Country of Origin |
| Cea Serin | USA |
| Persephone's Dream | USA |
| Magistral | USA |
2003
was held on September 5–6, 2003 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA.| 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, GA
| 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 in Atlanta, GA.| 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 in Atlanta, GA.| 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 in Atlanta, GA.
| Showcase | Country of Origin |
| Dreamscape | Germany |
| D.C. Cooper | USA |
| Outworld | USA |
| Orphaned Land | Israel |
2006
ProgPower USA VII took place on September 15–16, 2006 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA.| 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 | Holland |
| Jørn | Norway |
;Showcase
The Showcase took place on Thursday September 14, 2006 at The Loft in Atlanta, GA.
| Showcase | Country of Origin |
| Theocracy | USA |
| Circus Maximus | Norway |
| Leatherwolf | USA |
| Circle II Circle | USA |
2007
took place on October 5–6, 2007 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.| 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 | Holland |
| 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, GA.
From 2007 forward all Showcases 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, GA.| 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, GA.
| 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, GA.| 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, GA.
| 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, GA.| 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 | Holland |
| Tarot | Finland |
| HammerFall | Sweden |
;Kick-Off
The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 9, 2010 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA.
| 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, GA.
| 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, GA.| 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, GA.
| 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, GA.
- Evergrey followed by metal karaoke.
2012
| ProgPower USA XIII | Country of Origin |
| Sinbreed | Germany |
| Kingcrow | Italy |
| Amaranthe | Sweden |
| Serenity | Austria |
| Primordial | Ireland |
| Redemption | USA |
| Epica | Holland |
| Beyond the Bridge | Germany |
| Lanfear | Germany |
| Solution.45 | Sweden |
| Mystic Prophecy | Germany |
| MaYaN | Holland |
| 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, GA.| 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, GA.
| 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, GA.
| Mid-Week Mayhem | Country of Origin |
| Morglbl | France |
| Mindcrime | USA |
2014
ProgPower USA XV took place on September 12–13, 2014 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.| ProgPower XV | Country of Origin |
| Need | Greece |
| Orden Ogan | Germany |
| Leprous | Norway |
| Overkill | USA |
| Seventh Wonder | Sweden |
| Stratovarius | Finland |
| Withem | Norway |
| Divided Multitude | Norway |
| Voodoo Circle | Germany |
| Masterplan | Germany |
| Pain of Salvation | Sweden |
| Jon Oliva's Pain | USA |
;Kick-Off
The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 11, 2014 at Center Stage) in Atlanta, GA.
| Kick-Off | Country of Origin |
| Draekon | USA |
| DGM | Italy |
| Pagan's Mind | 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, GA.| ProgPower XVI | Country of Origin |
| Native Construct | USA |
| Jeff Scott Soto | USA |
| Voyager | Australia |
| Anathema | United Kingdom |
| Falconer | Sweden |
| Helker | Argentina |
| Unleash the Archers | Canada |
| Dragonland | Sweden |
| Riverside | Poland |
| Royal Hunt | Denmark/USA |
| Angra | Brazil |
;Kick-Off
The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 10, 2015 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA.
| Kick-Off | Country of Origin |
| Almah | Brazil |
| Dragonland | Sweden |
| Armored Saint | USA |
| Saxon | England |
;Mid-Week Mayhem
The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 9, 2015 at The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA.
| Mid-Week Mayhem | Country of Origin |
| Halcyon Way | USA |
| Ashes Of Ares | USA |
| Voyager | Australia |
| Evergrey | Sweden |
2016
ProgPower USA XVII took place on September 7–10, 2016 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA. Starting in 2016, ProgPower USA became a full four-day event. The Mid-Week Mayhem and Kick-Off 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 took place at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA. Day 2 was called the Promoter's Pick night. There were four bands per day.
| ProgPower XVII - Days 1 & 2 | Country of Origin |
| LORD | Australia |
| Stream of Passion | The Netherlands |
| Spock's Beard | USA |
| DragonForce | United Kingdom |
| Ghost Ship Octavius | USA |
| Pyramaze | Denmark |
| Circus Maximus | Norway |
| Blind Guardian | Germany |
;Days 3 & 4
Days 3 and 4 took place at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA. These days are considered to be main event with six bands per day.
| ProgPower XVII - Days 3 & 4 | Country of Origin |
| Ascendia | Canada |
| Vanishing Point | Australia |
| Freedom Call | Germany |
| The Gentle Storm | The Netherlands |
| Scar Symmetry | Sweden |
| Fates Warning | USA |
| Savage Messiah | United Kingdom |
| Serious Black | Multinational |
| Green Carnation | Norway |
| Refuge | Germany |
| Haken | United Kingdom |
| Devin Townsend | Canada |
2017
ProgPower USA XVIII took place on September 6–9, 2017 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.;Days 1 & 2
Days 1 and 2 took place on September 6–7, 2017 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA with four bands on Wednesday and five bands on Thursday.
| ProgPower XVIII - Days 1 & 2 | Country of Origin |
| Power Quest | United Kingdom |
| Serenity | Austria |
| Orphaned Land | Israel |
| Haken | United Kingdom |
| Next to None | USA |
| Twilight Force | Sweden |
| Vanden Plas | Germany |
| Between the Buried and Me | USA |
| Metal Church | USA |
;Days 3 & 4
Days 3 and 4 took place on September 8–9, 2017 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA with six bands per day.
| ProgPower XVIII - Days 3 & 4 | Country of Origin |
| Daydream XI | Brazil |
| Distorted Harmony | Israel |
| Lords of Black | Spain |
| Angel Dust | Germany |
| Myrath | Tunisia |
| Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress | USA / United Kingdom |
| Seven Spires | USA |
| Dynazty | Sweden |
| Snowy Shaw | Sweden |
| Pain | Sweden |
| Amaranthe | Sweden |
| Katatonia | Sweden |
2018
ProgPower USA XIX took place on September 5–8, 2018 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.;Days 1 & 2
Days 1 and 2 took place on September 5–6, 2018 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA with four bands per day.
| ProgPower XIX - Days 1 & 2 | Country of Origin |
| Ross The Boss | USA |
| Gloryhammer | Multinational |
| Nocturnal Rites | Sweden |
| Voyager | Australia |
| Cellar Darling | Switzerland |
| Oceans of Slumber | USA |
| Doro | Germany |
| Angra | Brazil |
;Days 3 & 4
Days 3 and 4 took place on September 7–8, 2018 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA with six bands per day.
| ProgPower XIX - Days 3 & 4 | Country of Origin |
| Manimal | Sweden |
| Persefone | Andorra |
| Bloodbound | Sweden |
| Labyrinth | Sweden |
| Soen | Sweden |
| VUUR | Netherlands |
| Alestorm | Multinational |
| Tarja Turunen | Finland |
2019
ProgPower USA XX took place on September 4–7, 2019 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.;Days 1 & 2
Days 1 and 2 took place on September 4–5, 2019 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA with four bands per day.
| ProgPower XX - Days 1 & 2 | Country of Origin |
| While Heaven Wept | USA |
| Theocracy | USA |
| Sanctuary | USA |
| Insomnium | Finland |
| Tomorrow's Eve | Germany |
| MaYan | Multinational |
| Galneryus | Japan |
| Evergrey | Sweden |
;Days 3 & 4
Days 3 and 4 took place on September 6–7, 2019 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA with six bands per day.
| ProgPower XX - Days 3 & 4 | Country of Origin |
| Paladin | USA |
| Subsignal | Germany |
| Barren Earth | Finland |
| Psychotic Waltz | USA |
| Orden Ogan | Germany |
| Seventh Wonder | Sweden |
| Sorcerer | Sweden |
| Jag Panzer | USA |
| Caligula's Horse | Australia |
| Poets of the Fall | Finland |
| Threshold | United Kingdom |
| Demons & Wizards | Multinational |
2020
ProgPower USA XXI was originally scheduled to take place on September 9–12, 2020 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was postponed. This was announced on May 22, 2020.2021
ProgPower USA XXI is now scheduled to take place on September 8–11, 2021 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA with 20 of the 21 bands originally scheduled for 2020.;Days 1 & 2
Days 1 and 2 are scheduled to take place on September 8–9, 2021 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA.
Day 1 will have four bands as follows:
| ProgPower XXI - Day 1 | Country of Origin |
| Mindmaze | USA |
| Artificial Language | USA |
| Power Quest | England |
| Dream Evil | Sweden |
Day 2 will have five bands as follows:
| ProgPower XXI - Day 2 | Country of Origin |
| Darkwater | Sweden |
| Northtale | Multinational |
| The Ocean | Germany |
| Pain of Salvation | Sweden |
| Stratovarius | Finland |
;Days 3 & 4
Days 3 and 4 are scheduled to take place on September 10–11, 2021 at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA with six bands per day.
| ProgPower XXI - Days 3 & 4 | Country of Origin |
| Shattered Skies | Ireland / England |
| Witherfall | USA |
| Aether Realm | USA |
| Green Carnation | Norway |
| Jeff Scott Soto | USA |
| Conception | Norway |
| Arion | Finland |
| Thank You Scientist | USA |
| Beast in Black | Multinational |
| The Gathering | Netherlands |
| Ihsahn | Norway |
| Turilli / Lione Rhapsody | Italy |
Photo Galleries
- Lackner, Ken. "." Atlanta Music Guide. 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2013.
- Lackner, Ken. "." 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2013.
- Ahola, Esa. . Web. 28 Nov. 2013.
- Thomas, Allen Ross. . Web. 28 Nov. 2013.
- Schmidt, Stephen. . Web. 28 Nov. 2013.
- Pando, David. "." Metalinjection.com. Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2013.
- Evans, Shawn. "." Skullnbones.com. Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2013.