Brian Wheeler

At the age of 15, Adam Straughn, metal head and self-proclaimed punk, hitched the hour-long ride to Worcester from his home in Rockland because he was too young to drive. He would sneak in the side door of the renowned music venue, The Palladium, with the help of his friends, because he was too young to be admitted. There, at this “mecca of metal,” he would headbang and mosh in a sea of black T-shirts to the heaviest acts being performed at the time.

“The Palladium was the only venue booking really heavy acts at the time,” Straughn said. “Think heavy drums, heavy bass and breakdowns.”

Straughn recalled the nostalgic grunge of the venue, which reflected the sets it hosted. The original paint from the 1920s peeled from the walls, and the carpets accumulated a patchwork of beer stains. To him, it was “home.”

Straughn returns to The Palladium on Nov. 10 for his first produced music festival, Heavy Fest, which will incorporate elements of metal, EDM and rap music. With recent renovations, the walls have been painted and the carpets replaced, and a large, electronic marquee announces upcoming bands, but The Palladium still stays true to its roots as a haven for heavy sets.

Straughn noted that The Palladium was instrumental in his youth and the development of his passion for music. Consequentially, he committed to an undergraduate education at Worcester State University in 2009 to be closer to the venue. He would bike three miles from Worcester State to as many shows as he could.

At Worcester State, Straughn, a well-rounded student, explored his love of music in between tutoring, football and photography. On the weekends, he organized music events on Water Street at what used to be Club Industry. He promoted these events on campus with flyers and by word of mouth.

In 2013, Straughn graduated with a dual degree in English and communications. Rather than pursuing conventional channels, such as graduate education or job applications, he went on the road with his camera. He traveled the United States documenting music festivals – without the cushion of a steady income or comfort of a place he could call home. At some points, he slept in a tent, he said.

However, his years of hard work have finally come to fruition. After touring with Twiddle, a prevalent jam band in the rock music community, he returns to Worcester as manager of Above the Sky Productions. Through his travels and constant networking, he has built his own brand through which he sells festival merchandise and promotes events.

“It really has come full circle for me – this is a dream five years in the making,” Straughn said.

Since Straughn has become involved in the music scene, the popularity of metal has waned while EDM has exploded, with countless festivals hosted across the country. However, he still believes metal can stay alive – if it is willing to adapt.

“If metal wants to survive, it needs to change with the times,” Straughn said. “The crowds are different – but there are crossover fans out there.”

This is evident in the popularity of Sullivan King, one of the names headlining the Heavy Fest event, a band which has amassed 64,000 followers on Soundcloud.
“Years ago, dubstep and metal wouldn’t be considered a feasible combination,” Straughn said.

But, in collaboration with NV Productions, he has made this combination happen on a grand scale. In addition to featuring dubstep and metal, Heavy Fest will feature rap music, what he considers one of the most “coveted” genres of the time. Asking Alexandria, Chris Webby, Death Ray Vision, Figure Presents Terrrorvision, I See Stars, Obey The Brave, Sayer, Squnto, Sullivan King, The Underachievers, Thy Will Be Done, Concrete Dream, Kyle Goldstein, Uncle Bob and Weapon E.S.P. are all slated to perform.

“I am trying to push a revolution,” Straughn said. He believes genres should seek to be collaborative rather than exclusive, and his event marks a major transition in this process. With this type of collaboration of genres, anyone who enjoys music may be able to enjoy the festival culture, noting its therapeutic nature. A festival, he believes, is like “church.”

“You leave feeling better than you did coming in,” he said.

Some would write off the genres of metal, EDM and rap as worthless noise. Straughn would disagree. He believes that any music can be interpreted as art through different approaches.

“Festival culture is not primarily about the music, but the people and their interactions with each other. The music and the DJ is secondary,” he said.

“People who say they hate festival music probably have never been to a festival,” Straughn said. “I would urge anyone and everyone to go see a show!”

Heavy Fest will be held at noon Nov. 10 at The Palladium, 261 Main St., Worcester. Tickets are $47. For more information, visit thepalladium.net.