ProgDay is a two-day annual outdoor festival of Progressive music featuring artists from all over the world. Some bands have come from as near as North Carolina, and others from as far as Sweden, Italy, Venezuela and Indonesia. ProgDay has been held every year since it’s birth in 1995, making it the longest running Progressive Rock event in the world.
The ProgDay organization is a grassroots collective of fans and volunteers who labor for the love of the music. They receive no compensation, yet every year they put in a tremendous amount of work to make ProgDay the best it can be.
Of particular importance are our day-of-event volunteers. The people that direct you to parking, take your ticket at the gate, empty the garbage, and do the scores of other things that keep ProgDay moving, are all volunteers. They’ve bought a ticket to the festival just like you, but they are donating part of their ProgDay experience to helping out.
Over the years ProgDay has hosted many memorable and important performances. ProgDay is responsible for the first American appearances of many bands from Progressive Rock’s “golden era” including Kraan (Germany), Samla Mammas Manna (Sweden), Arti é Mestieri (Italy), Shylock (France), Ain Soph (Japan), Trettioariga Kriget (Sweden) and Tempano (Venezuela), as well as US debuts by later bands like Beardfish (Sweden), Uzva (Finland), Naikaku (Japan), Accordo Dei Contrari (Italy), Panzerballett (Germany), Necromonkey (Sweden), Apocalypse (Brazil), Kotebel (Spain), Cabezas De Cera (Mexico), and many others. ProgDay presented the first major US appearance of the Muffins after their reunion in 1998. It was only their second time in the US when Pain Of Salvation and The Spacious Mind played ProgDay. ProgDay also has a tradition of showcasing outstanding current bands like Thank You Scientist (US), Consider The Source (US), INfiNieN (US), Sonar (Switzerland), Jack O’ The Clock (US), Marbin (Israel/USA), Jonathan Scales Fourchestra (US) and Bent Knee (US).
CHEER-ACCIDENT (US)
“To put it simply, Cheer-Accident blew me away. I left that show feeling that my inner artist had received a swift kick in the pants. The music was innovative and powerful and brave and everything I’d hoped it would be…As I’ve continued to dig into their back catalogue, I’ve come to the realization that Cheer-Accident is a criminally underrated band. Their dedication to writing boundary-pushing music over the last three decades deserves recognition, and is definitely worth the attention of any fans of progressive music, or art rock, or avant garde, or whatever other genre label or title fits best for music that is patently uncategorizable.”
– Thomas Hatton, PROGLODYTES
With a history reaching back over 30 years, Cheer-Accident has been surprising their audiences and themselves through relentless reinvention. From dreamy pop to angular Art-Rock, the band strikes a powerful balance between personalized and unique studio wizardry and the visceral excitement of a well-honed, explosive live Rock band. The current lineup of Cheer-Accident is comprised of various members who have come and gone throughout the past two decades. The band is currently touring in support of the recently released “Here Comes The Sunset.”
ShwizZ (US)
“If Zappa, Yes, P-Funk and King Crimson had a love child,
it would be named…ShwizZ!”
– ShwizZ Facebook page
“These gentlemen play some of the best and most authentic ’70s-style fusion music anywhere. Period. The end. Let your ears confirm this.”
– musicfestnews.com
ShwizZ is a one-of-a-kind powerhouse from Nyack, New York. While drawing substantial influence from classic Progressive Rock, for years the band has been exploring the intersection of genres with different lineups including horn sections, lead singers and percussionists. A decade and a large cast of characters later, ShwizZ has honed itself into a compelling fusion and progressive quartet that consistently put their musical abilities to the test to deliver high intensity and musically immersive shows.
Program of the event:
ProgDay Preshow at Local 506
ProgDay is pleased to announce the performance of two great bands at the ProgDay 2022 Preshow at Local 506 on Friday night.
WHERE:
Local 506, 506 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC
WHEN:
Door opens at 7:00pm. Showtime is 8pm.
TICKETS:
Tickets: $8 in advance / $10 day of show.
For all venue policies, $3 membership info, and to purchase tickets in advance, please visit the Local 506 website at www.local506.com. There is a $5 surcharge for under 21, payable at the door. Must have valid ID to enter venue.
Tempus Fugit (US)
Tempus Fugit is a tribute band featuring music by the legendary Prog supergroup Yes. Featuring Casey Overton on guitar and vocals, Dr. Michael Pelz-Sherman on keyboards and vocals, Lars Hartmann on drums and vocals, and Sean Geist on bass, we strive to bring this music alive with tremendous energy, accuracy and attention to detail. The result is an experience that all who love this timeless and unique band will treasure.
Maj Deeka (US)
A high-octane quartet comprised of Evan Bost (keys, vox), Andy Blair (guitar, vox), Matt Kirk (bass), and Dwayne Jordan (drums), Maj Deeka exhibits all the qualities needed in a great band: a collective ear for interesting harmony and melody, a rock-solid groove, chops on hand when the music calls for notes, and the time-earned sensibility of making a piece of music greater than the sum of its parts. This is a band that believes in challenging the auditory status quo. Their original compositions are fresh, unique, and can’t be neatly filed into a pre-existing sonic bucket. From unsuspecting vocal harmonies, soaring guitar solos, odd time grooves, and Jazz harmony layered Rock’n’Roll, their music satiates a well developed musical palate while simultaneously appealing to a broad audience.
Maj Deeka‘s songwriting and improvisational abilities are matched by a decade of performance experience in previous projects; whether the crowd is comprised of 50 friends or 1,000 unfamiliar faces, the band performs consistently, professionally, and passionately.
As Maj Deeka enters their fourth year in 2021, their sights are set on touring the greater Southeast, further establishing the Maj Deeka experience, and writing new compositions that stay true to the mission of challenging the stereotypical ìjam bandî sound. The only certainty is that no one, including the band, knows what they might pull off next.
BANDS FOR 2022
Aziola Cry (US)
An instrumental Progressive Metal band from Chicago mixing warr guitar, guitar and drums with massive riffs and complexity into a dark sonic landscape.
Cheer-Accident (US) (Read Before)
iNFiNiEN (US)
Beautiful engulfing soundscapes, old world melodic lyricism, Heavy Metal riffs, explosive improvisation, futuristic synth textures, movie score level grandeur, and emotionally conscious lyrics.
Lux Terminus (US)
Keyboard-driven Progressive Rock, informed equally by Metal, Jazz Fusion and Cinematic music.
Nektar (UK)
Reconstituted and energized, the legendary British band from Germany brings their epic Progressive music to Storybook Farm.
ShwizZ (US) (Read Before)
Purchase tickets here: http://www.progday.net/ProgDay-Tickets.html