ProgPower USA

ProgPower USA
Logo for ProgPower USA XV
Genre	Progressive metal Power metal
Dates	September/October
Location(s)	Atlanta, Georgia
Years active	2001 – present
Founded by	Glenn Harveston
Website
progpowerusa.com

ProgPower USA is a progressive, power metal, and progressive rock festival held annually in the United States since 2001. Its most recent edition was held at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia from September 7 – 10, 2016. ProgPower USA XVII is scheduled to take place September 6 – 9, 2017. 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 test the waters so to speak, and it also allows them to interact with fans more than ever. 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.

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.