Atlanta’s premier music festival returned to its home at Piedmont Park over the weekend. Thousands of music fans flocked to experience three days packed with live performances, vendors and pop-up experiences. Since its founding by promoter Tim Sweetwood in 2013, Shaky Knees has become a staple in Atlanta. The festival has welcomed major acts like Foo Fighters, Brand New, The Killers, Green Day and Nine Inch Nails, while also giving emerging artists a platform to shine.
What distinguishes Shaky Knees Fest from other music festivals? The answer lies in its diverse lineup — more than 60 bands graced the stages, showcasing a mix of world-renowned acts and rising stars. Piedmont Park, located in the heart of Atlanta and also home to Music Midtown and Atlanta Jazz Fest, provides an ideal backdrop. Additionally, immersive experiences for fans add another layer to the event’s appeal.
This year’s lineup was no different from past years, stacking talented artists such as Deftones, My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, Cage the Elephant, All-American Rejects, The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend and Alabama Shakes. Legacy acts including Devo, “Weird Al” Yankovic, 4 Non Blondes and Public Enemy rounded out the bill. This year also highlighted a strong girl-power presence on the indie side with bands like The Linda Lindas, Scowl, Die Spitz, The Marías and Wet Leg.
Day 1
The festival kicked off under clear skies as fans streamed into Piedmont Park. Excitement filled the air as gates opened and security lines cleared. In the press lounge, photographers and media teams gathered, preparing for three days of music and mayhem at Shaky Knees Fest.
The first act on our list was Idles on the Piedmont Stage. The British punk band delivered raw, unfiltered energy from start to finish. The Line of Best Fit describes them as “one of the most exciting British bands right now,” and their performance lived up to that praise. At one point, the guitarist leaped over the barricade to crowd surf, blurring the line between stage and audience. It was an exhilarating way to start the weekend.
Next up was Joey Valence & Brae, a fast-rising alt/hip-hop duo that fuses ’90s hip-hop, drum and bass, and pop culture references into their sound. The pair had the crowd fully engaged and packed the Criminal Records Stage for a high-energy set that left fans wanting more.
By midday, the layout of the venue became clear: four stages — Peachtree, Piedmont, Ponce de Leon and Criminal Records — spaced evenly across the park. The food village offered plenty to explore, with vendors like Flaming Wok, Dank Dogs, Island Noodles, Lobster Rolls & More, Smash & Grab, Pizza Nova and Trap Wingz.
Deftones’ showmanship remains unmatched — a fitting end to the festival’s first day.
Among the pop-up experiences, Hacienda Patrón’s Club Wyndham Lounge stood out, offering an elevated view of the Piedmont Stage for fans sipping cocktails. Beatbox Beverages hosted a party pub complete with a CD wall photo booth and free merch. Hazy IPA offered a shaded “funhouse” with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a second-story viewing deck. Electrolit’s hydration house was a lifesaver throughout the weekend, while Flavor Alley kept taste buds moving with Tapito and Ming’s frozen meal tasting.
As the sun set on Day 1, festivalgoers faced a tough decision: The Pixies or The Marías. The Marias, an American indie pop band from Los Angeles, are best known for English and Spanish songs in addition to infusing elements of jazz percussion, guitar riffs, and horn solos. Frontwoman Maria Zardoya serenaded the crowd with her whimsical charm and elaborate set design—a visual feast to be seen, and quite a memorable experience.
The night closed with none other than almighty Deftones. As fans flooded the Peachtree Stage, anticipation buzzed. When frontman Chino Moreno finally took the stage, the energy was electric. The band opened with “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away),” followed by “My Own Summer (Shove It)” and their new single, “My Mind Is a Mountain,” from the forthcoming album Private Music. Deftones’ showmanship remains unmatched — a fitting end to the festival’s first day.
Day 2
After a night of rest, Day 2 began with fans donning My Chemical Romance attire in anticipation of the evening’s headliner.
The first band of the day was the alt/indie rock sister duo Girl Tones, best described as a high-energy rock duo that laid down some serious licks. Soft Play followed on the Peachtree Stage, delivering an explosive punk set that lived up to their reputation as one of the UK’s most dynamic acts. Fat Dog brought a dance-punk mashup to the Ponce de Leon Stage, drawing a strong midday crowd.
Texas four-piece Die Spitz, signed to Third Man Records (Jack White’s label), delivered one of the standout performances of the day. Riding high on their latest release, Something to Consume, the band says:
Die Spitz is a culmination of passion, friendship, identity, and artistry to fight against the inescapable decay that surrounds life.
That raw energy and aggression could be felt throughout the crowd; and no one could get enough of it.
Scowl was another welcome addition to the roster, with a fierce performance reminiscent of classic punk’s activist roots. Their unfiltered passion and commitment to human rights made them a standout among the weekend’s emerging acts, fueling a whole new generation to fight and revolt.
By mid-afternoon, the energy intensified with Highly Suspect’s hard-hitting set on the Piedmont Stage. The band tore through tracks like “Bath Salts,” “Bloodfeather” and their platinum hit, “My Name Is Human,” energizing the crowd.
TV on the Radio was a good buffer for what was to come later on in the night. Their sound is a fusion of experimental mix of indie rock, art rock, post-punk, hip-hop, funk, and soul.
Fans sang every lyric, filling the Peachtree Stage area with nostalgia and unity — a reminder of why festivals like Shaky Knees exist.
The All-American Rejects drew one of the day’s largest crowds, bringing nostalgia and 2000s anthems to life. Their grassroots campaign, featuring small, pop-up-style house parties has certainly paid off, garnering national attention that stands out from the traditional ways bands typically promote themselves.
Following was Cage The Elephant—always a decadent treat—with a bombastic performance, still riding high from their latest release Rainbow. The electrifying set exceeded expectations with frontman Matt Shultz’s trademark unpredictability and energy.
Public Enemy proved their legacy remains untouchable. Chuck D and Flavor Flav commanded the stage, even bringing out Prophets of Rage for a surprise appearance.
The night concluded with a massive performance from My Chemical Romance. The band performed The Black Parade in its entirety, satisfying thousands of emo hearts and delivering an emotionally charged, communal experience. Fans sang every lyric, filling the Peachtree Stage area with nostalgia and unity — a reminder of why festivals like Shaky Knees exist.
Day 3
By Day 3, festivalgoers had weathered the weekend and were ready to close it out strong.
The Criticals opened on the Ponce de Leon Stage, a Nashville-based rock outfit blending influences from The Strokes, The Killers and The Beaches. Improvement Movement, an Atlanta-based band, followed with groove-heavy jams and a playful attitude that your dad would approve of, or as their bio implies, “a generous waste of time, joking aside.”
Stereophonics brought their signature Welsh rock sound — raspy vocals comparable to Rod Stewart, catchy guitar hooks and a blend of British rock, folk and electronic elements — to the main stage.
Murder by Death was a standout of the day. The Indiana six-piece indie rock band offered a darker, cinematic shift with their gothic Americana sound, led by Adam Turla’s smoky baritone reminiscent of Johnny Cash.
Midway through the day, 4 Non Blondes delivered a feel-good, cross-generational performance. Linda Perry opened with a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” setting the tone for a nostalgic yet vibrant set.
Devo stole the show as the breakout act of the day, transporting the crowd back to the ’80s with classic hits and vintage MTV music videos projected behind them. Their signature energy and eccentricity proved timeless, with plenty of dedicated Devo heads present in the crowd.
Wet Leg have been making a lot of waves in the English Indie rock sphere lately and continued their meteoric rise, delivering a sharp, infectious set that confirmed their status as one of indie rock’s hottest acts to bear the airwaves since the days of Franz Ferdinand. (Catch them at this year’s Coachella. They’re definitely band to watch out for!)
After three days of music, community and shared energy, Shaky Knees once again proved why it stands as one of Atlanta’s defining festivals.
Alabama Shakes followed with a soulful, emotional performance led by Brittany Howard’s powerhouse vocals. Inspiring and hopeful, they’re always a joy to watch.
Vampire Weekend had an amazing set filled with colorful backdrops, impromptu dance numbers, and sing-alongs to some of their biggest hits.
Closing out the festival, Blink-182 drew one of the largest crowds of the weekend. Mark, Tom and Travis tore through a string of pop-punk classics including “The Rock Show,” “First Date,” “Josie,” “All the Small Things” and “Dammit,” sending fans home on a high note.
I’ve covered multiple festivals over the years, but haven’t been a part of something so big as Shaky Knees Fest. I have to say this was probably one of the best experiences I’ve had as a photographer. The memories, people I meet along the way, it’s a beautiful thing to witness the power of music and the community it brings. A total cathartic experience, I would implore any music fan to take a chance on Shaky Knees Fest.
After three days of music, community and shared energy, Shaky Knees once again proved why it stands as one of Atlanta’s defining festivals. The memories and people are truly beautiful things to witness, all anchored in the unifying power of live music. It was a truly cathartic experience we’ll be talking about until next year’s return.
