🎙️ **EPISODE 101 — How to Build a Metal Festival: Steve Maple of Michigan Metal Fest Tells All:101 w/ Steve Maple & Ken Joseph**

*Hosted by Jay Ingersoll & Modd | The Metal Maniacs Podcast*

🔥 In this milestone 101st episode of *The Metal Maniacs Podcast*, Jay and Modd sit down with two of the driving forces behind one of the Midwest's heaviest and most important metal events — **Michigan Metal Fest**! We welcome **Steve Maple**, the festival’s founder and owner, and **Ken Joseph**, the fest’s trusted media coordinator, for a deep and candid conversation about everything that goes into running one of the most ambitious underground metal fests in the U.S.

🎸 **The Origins of Michigan Metal Fest**

→ From dream to beast: How Steve Maple built MMF from the ground up

→ The first ever lineup, the scene in Michigan, and how it grew

🤘 **Behind the Curtain: Building a Festival**

→ How bands are vetted and selected

→ Volunteer coordination, vendors, sponsorships & building a community

→ The essential role of **insurance, permits, and security** logistics

→ What it’s like working with the venue — **Leicester Arboretum**

📢 **Ken Joseph on Media & Promo Strategy**

→ Social media, flyers, street teams, press partnerships, and digital reach

→ How to keep underground metal **visible** in 2025

💬 **Advice for Aspiring Promoters & DIY Organizers**

→ Why consistency, integrity, and patience matter

→ How to grow your fest, build trust with bands, and navigate the chaos

🔮 **Planning the Future: What’s Next for MMF?**

→ How early the next year’s fest starts planning

→ What to expect from this year’s **Midwest Brutal Fest** coming *this weekend*

→ Teasers, behind-the-scenes, and how to support your local scene!

👤 **Steve Maple**

* Owner/Operator – [**Michigan Metal Fest**](https://www.facebook.com/michiganmetalfestival)

* Frontman/Booking Contact – [**Killcrown**](https://www.facebook.com/Killcrown)

* Owner – [**Next Level Entertainment**](https://www.facebook.com/NEXTLEVELSHOWS)

* Owner – [**Scapes Landscape & Design**](https://www.facebook.com/MapleScapes)

Steve is the lifeblood of the fest and a staple in the Michigan heavy music scene — from landscaping and promotion to brutal vocals and large-scale festival logistics. His decades of hustle, community connection, and deep love of extreme metal shine through in every minute of this episode.

👤 **Ken Joseph**

* Media Coordinator – Michigan Metal Fest

Ken plays a vital role in **building the festival’s digital presence**, managing promotion, and working with media outlets to make sure **MMF stays in the spotlight**. If you’ve seen MMF in your feed, he’s the one helping push it to your screen.

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### 🔗 LINKS & FOLLOW

📲 [Follow Michigan Metal Fest on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/michiganmetalfestival)

📸 [Follow on Instagram @michiganmetalfest](https://www.instagram.com/michiganmetalfest)

🎟️ [Get Tickets & Updates](https://www.michiganmetalfest.com

Midwestbrewtalfest.com)

Follow us-https://linktr.ee/metalmaniacsmi

🎧 Subscribe to The Metal Maniacs Podcast for more episodes featuring the underground’s best metal musicians, promoters, and creators. Whether you’re a die-hard death metal fan, metalcore mosher, or a scene lifer — we’ve got you covered.

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