ProgPower USA is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United States since 2001. 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. 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 Center Stage Atlanta (formerly Earthlink Live). Festival founder and 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. 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.

Lineups

February 2001

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

November 2001

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

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.

2003

ProgPower USA IV was held on September 5–6, 2003, at Center Stage (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia. The ProgPower USA IV Pre-Show Party was held September 4, 2003, at The Riviera Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

2004

ProgPower USA V took place on September 17–18, 2004, at Center Stage Atlanta (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Showcase took place on Thursday September 16, 2004, at The Eleven50 Club.

2005

ProgPower USA VI took place on September 16–17, 2005 at Center Stage Atlanta (then called Earthlink Live) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Showcase took place on Thursday September 15, 2005, at The Loft (above Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.

2006

ProgPower USA VII took place on September 15–16, 2006 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. The Showcase took place on Thursday September 14, 2006, at The Loft (above Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.

2007

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. 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.

2008

ProgPower USA IX took place on September 26–27, 2008 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. The first Mid-Week Mayhem at ProgPower USA was held at The Loft (above Center Stage on Wednesday September 24, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia.

2009

ProgPower USA X took place on September 11–12, 2009 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 10, 2009, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

2010

ProgPower USA XI took place on September 10–11, 2010 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 9, 2010, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 8, 2010, at The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

2011

ProgPower USA XII took place on September 16–17, 2011 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 15, 2011, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 14, 2010, at The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

2012

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.

2013

ProgPower USA XIV took place on September 6–7, 2013, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 5, 2013, at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 4, 2013, at The Loft at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia.

2014

ProgPower USA XV took place on September 12–13, 2014, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 11, 2014, at Center Stage) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 10, 2014.

2015

ProgPower USA XVI took place on September 11–12, 2015, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The Kick-Off took place on Thursday September 10, 2015, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. The Mid-Week Mayhem took place on Wednesday September 9, 2015, at The Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

2016

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 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 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.

2017

ProgPower USA XVIII took place on September 6–9, 2017 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 and 4 took place on September 8–9, 2017, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with six bands per day.

2018

ProgPower USA XIX took place on September 5–8, 2018 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 1 and 2 took place on September 5–6, 2018 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with four bands per day. Days 3 and 4 took place on September 7–8, 2018 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with six bands per day.

2019

ProgPower USA XX took place on September 4–7, 2019 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 1 and 2 took place on September 4–5, 2019 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with four bands per day. Days 3 and 4 took place on September 6–7, 2019 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with six bands per day.

2022

ProgPower USA XXI took place on June 1–4, 2022, at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 1 and 2 took place on June 1–2, 2022, at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 3 and 4 took place on June 3–4, 2022 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

2023

ProgPower USA XXII took place on September 6–9, 2023 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 1 and 2 took place on September 6–7, 2023 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 3 and 4 took place on September 8–9, 2023 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

2024

ProgPower USA XXIII is scheduled to take on September 4–7, 2024 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 1 and 2 took place on September 4–5, 2024 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 3 and 4 took place on September 6–7, 2024 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

2025

ProgPower USA XXIV is scheduled to take on September 3–6, 2025 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 1 and 2 are scheduled to take place on September 3–4, 2025 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. Days 3 and 4 are scheduled to take place on September 5–6, 2025 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

Postponed and cancelled lineups

2020–2021

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. 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.

Photo galleries