HeartSupport reprises its impactful presence at Furnace Fest 2025

“He came up to the wall at the very end of the last day of the festival, less than an hour before we packed down. He stared at the wall full of encouraging responses to struggling fans, and when I introduced myself to him, he shook my hand avidly and immediately asked how he could help. I hadn’t even explained what HeartSupport did yet, but he kept repeating how beautiful and important he thought the wall was.

He didn’t go into detail, but I vividly recall him saying, “it’s been really, really rough lately, and this means so so much.” He hadn’t even opened up on the wall! Simply seeing all the love that fans wrote to one another moved him to tears… He is a special example of the power of human empathy, even when it is simply observed.”

— HeartSupport’s Reece Maopolski remembers an interaction with a Furnace Fest attendee

After a massive presence at Furnace Fest 2024, HeartSupport was back at the fest for 2025, joining bands like Jimmy Eat World, Dropkick Murphys, and Knocked Loose. The Support Wall was on the ground, manned by volunteers eager to engage with what has become one of the most important annual weekends in heavy music.

Veronica was one of the 23 people who shared their experiences on the Support Wall, inviting other attendees to respond. This music fan has endured a tremendous amount of struggle as someone who has been through physical health challenges (including cancer) that have led to their own mental health struggles.

“I’ve had mental health issues for a long time because I had actual [physical] health issues,” Veronica explained. “So I wanted to put that out there, and I definitely heard back. It gave me a lot of encouragement… One wrote, ‘People will see your strength and find you.’ I think that might be even more of what I needed. I don’t have to look for friends, because I can barely find them on my own. But if they can see me for who I really am, and they see my true authentic self and my heart, where I come from, hopefully that will draw the right people towards me and I don’t have to chase them anymore.”

Veronica’s courageous step of opening up about her experiences was that first step towards being truly seen, heard, and known. That is the power of HeartSupport’s presence on the ground at festivals like Furnace Fest: a safe place to begin to find that community.

That can be especially true when the confessions are immensely weighty.

Another festival attendee wrote, “I was SA'ed by my grandfather and I do not know how to process how hurt and betrayed I feel. I feel so gross and depressed every day.”

“Even though that betrayal cuts so deep, I hope you know how worthy of real love you are,” one response adamantly declared. “What your grandfather did was sick, and that is a reflection on HIM and not you. His actions don’t take away from your beauty, power, or purpose. You are still a precious, beautiful soul. There is nothing anyone else can do to change that. I hope you feel for yourself the beauty you radiate in this world.”

Overall, 117 people wrote supportive replies to their 23 peers who opened up on the Wall. Hundreds more conversations happened organically, including connecting those in need of more long-term support with Support Calls.

“I’m grateful for the incredible work the HeartSupport team does every single day and humbled to play a small part in healing the scene at Furnace Fest,” said Trevor Tyson, who volunteered at the HeartSupport booth for the weekend.

If you want to be a part of healing the scene too, consider taking the opportunity to volunteer or donate!