History

Each year, we gather in the woods of Western Mass to celebrate our heavy music community with three days of music, camping, games, karaoke, food trucks, vendors, craft beer, and more. What started off as an under-the-radar backyard party has morphed into a fully-fledged open-air music festival, with our recent events hosting 50 bands across three stages. Notable acts from years past include Psychostick, Inter Arma, Black Tusk, Byzantine, Whores, King Parrot, Lich King, Lazer/Wulf, Scissorfight, Black Pyramid, and Moon Tooth.

Our goal since the beginning has been to put on a high-quality-yet-affordable festival to showcase our favorite local and regional heavy music acts. RPM Fest is run entirely by volunteers comprised of fans and musicians, and every cent we bring in goes towards putting on the best event we possibly can. We wouldn’t exist if not for the hundreds of immensely talented people willing to put their time and energy into creating this one magical weekend of the year.

As soon as you step foot on the grounds and see the musicianship of the bands, the enthusiasm of the crowds, the city of tents and glowstick lights out in the woods, the glasses raised to group sing-a-longs, you know one thing for sure—this is more than a music scene, it’s a community. Whether you’re a regular or a newcomer, you feel the camaraderie and friendship between everyone—the fans, the bands, the volunteers, who are often times one in the same. RPM Fest succeeds in large part because it is a music festival for all of us, put on by all of us, and we all want to see it grow and thrive.