ProgStock 2021 Announced!

ProgStock is back! Since its inception in 2017, ProgStock has been one of the best progressive festivals in the country. Some of my absolute favorite musical memories were at ProgStock festivals from years past. Whether it was seeing IQ perform “Road of Bones”, hearing Peter Jones sing “A Long Day’s Life” by Kevin Gilbert, hearing Michael Sadler and Rachel Flowers perform “Nights in White Satin”, or listening to Eddie Jobson talk about working with Zappa and U.K., the weekend has always guaranteed unforgettable experiences for all involved. I am so glad that Thomas Palmieri and his team have been able to plan yet another unforgettable experience with ProgStock 2021. From their website:

“ProgStock Festival, the American Northeast’s Only International Progressive Rock Festival, will triumphantly return to the stage for its fifth year in 2021. As the world is still emerging from the pandemic, ProgStock 2021 has been designed as a hybrid event, allowing fans to experience the festival in a manner which suits their personal choice. In-person attendance passes include a seat in the theater, access to artist meet-and-greets, and participation in after-parties. For those who wish to (or must) participate virtually from afar, we will offer live streaming and the ability to view performances for a limited time after the festival concludes.

The festival will take place on the weekend of October 1-3, 2021, in the Hamilton Stage building of the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC), located at 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway, New Jersey 07065 (a short walk away from the Main Stage theater on Irving Street). The Hamilton Stage theater is of much smaller capacity than the Main Stage theater, so please act quickly once passes are placed on sale! Details of the festival lineup, event timeline, ticket pricing and partner hotels will be announced over the next few weeks. Passes for 3-day in-person attendance will go on sale in June. Details of how to participate in other viewing options will also be provided this summer.

ProgStock Festival was founded to give artists and fans in the genre of progressive rock a place to play and experience their favorite music in a great environment. ProgStock’s main stage will feature music that most radio hosts would find to be too long and too complex to play on-the-air. Dancing in 7/8, indeed, is left to fans who are accustomed to calculating high math in their heads. However, the festival presents a variety of rock that can be enjoyed by any music lover.

ProgStock Festival provides the artists, attendees and their families with a great place to share their talents and love for music in a family-friendly environment. Artists mingle with the fans and share experiences as well as music and art. The venue provides everyone with a comfortable place to listen to the music with phenomenal sound. The City of Rahway provides everyone with a hub where they can enjoy the festival, enjoy great food and beverages, shop, relax and recover in a beautiful hotel room, and easily hop on a train from and to Newark International Airport or New York City.”

We’ll all look forward to seeing the lineup and hearing more details! Keep an eye on the ProgStock website here, and Facebook Page here. Mark your calendars for October 1-3, 2021.

Also, pro-tip: If you’re attempting to bang your head in 7/8, and you’re worried that your headbanging is on the off beat after the first measure, just keep on bobbing through the next measure and it’ll eventually reset (after 14 counts). Cheers!

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