Perhaps Glenn will see this thread and can offer some insight here, but I suspect none of those bands, save Candlemass (who doesn't fot the format) is #5 slot band.
Guess we'll have to agree to disagree. But how does Candlemass not fit the format?
Morgana LeFay, with the help of the more popular Tad Morose and popular local bands, barely sold out the 350 seat Chicago Powerfest.
...because it was in Chicago, in the late winter/early spring, at a venue that gets slagged to no end on the internet (often by ProgPower fans). And the most important thing to consider is that the inclusion of Morgana did, in fact, sell a lot of those tickets. Also, this was the first year that the Powerfest show was an international event; for most people, it was the first time they had ever heard of the fest, whereas ProgPower is an established name. Keep in mind that the first ProgPower USA also barely sold out, and it was at the same venue, around the same approximate time -- and it was ALREADY a somewhat established name, through ProgPower Europe.
Last year's BW & BK, at which Grave Digger played, was poorly attended.
BW&BK doesn't get as much attendance partly because it's too diverse. Tons of people don't do because they don't like the "cookie monster" bands, and tons of other people don't go because they don't like the "pussy" and "old-fart" bands. Plus, it's in the Flats district of Cleveland, which is notorious for being a shithole. Put it in Atlanta and see the attendance skyrocket. FYI, the first BW&BK was very well-attended, and Candlemass was the favorite act of most of the attendees.
Iron Savior and Nocturnal Rites, in my opinion, are #3 slot bands at best.
Again, we'll have to agree to disagree, but if Conception, Kamelot, Pain of Salvation, Evergrey and Edguy are headliners, then these bands deserve a shot as well.
One of your main reasons for not wanting Nevermore is because people have access to them in the U.S. Helloween and Hammerfall just did headlining tours in the U.S.
Stop putting words in my mouth. I didn't say I don't "want" Nevermore. I just said they're not right for the lineup. And Helloween and Hammerfall have toured the US about the same amount as Angra has (since the 80s, anyway), yet Angra has headlined PPUSA twice. Helloween's two tours spanned about 5-6 dates each, and only hit a tiny portion of the country, missing some of the big metal hot spots.
By the way, if you don't think Nevermore would go over well with the PP audience, count how many Nevermore t-shirts you see next week.
Again, stop putting words in my mouth. I'm well aware of how many people like them. I'm not debating that. A lot of ProgPower attendees like Rush, too, but they wouldn't be right for the show.
The only thing I'm actually SAYING here (which you seem to be turning into all these other statements) is that Nevermore wouldn't fill any seats that wouldn't already be filled, due to their lack of exclusivity. I know a shitload of people who are going specifically for Orphaned Land this year. I don't know ANY Nevermore fan who would pay $100 for a ticket, plus airfare and hotel costs, specifically to see Nevermore. They'd just wait for the next tour they're on, and go see them in their hometown for about $20.
IF Nevermore were to play the ProgPower festival, I'd be willing to admit that they would deserve a #5 slot. But I still don't think they're right for the festival, based on past criteria.
