Atlanta indie rock lovers and hipsters have a reason to bust out their ripped jeans and faux-leather jackets: Shaky Knees is upon us.
After moving the festival from May to October before deciding to cancel the 2020 edition due to COVID-19 concerns, Shaky Knees is set to return by invading downtown’s Central Park Oct. 22-24 with Foo Fighters headlining Friday, Run The Jewels headlining Saturday and The Strokes closing out the festival as the Sunday headliner. Foo Fighters joined the bill in August to replace Stevie Nicks after the singer canceled her 2021 concerts due to concerns over COVID-19 and the spread of the delta variant.
Credit: Danny Clinch
Credit: Danny Clinch
“We are really happy to be able to deliver Shaky Knees this October with a lineup that truly has something for everyone,” festival founder Tim Sweetwood said in a statement announcing the lineup. “We look forward to getting back into Central Park with our amazing Shaky family of fans and hear some incredible live music together.”
This year’s Shaky Knees features more than 60 bands on four stages. In addition to the headliners, the festival will also highlight performances from Alice Cooper, St. Vincent, Modest Mouse, Portugal. The Man, Phoebe Bridgers, Mac Demarco, Dermot Kennedy, Dominic Fike, Royal Blood and The Hives. The first edition of Shaky Knees in 2013 was held at Masquerade Music Park with 29 bands and three stages.
Aside from the headliners and big name bands, The Atlanta Journal Constitution has selected three must-see acts to help fans navigate the plethora of talent gathering at Central Park.
Seattle rocker Ayron Jones is our Friday pick. Best known in Atlanta for his hit “Take Me Away” and a reputation for bringing an authentic rock club vibe to larger venues, Jones opens the Piedmont stage with a 12:45 p.m. set.
Our Saturday recommendation is Georgia’s own Larkin Poe, which is fronted by sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell. Through their soulful harmonies and swampy blues guitar riffs, the “Queens of Southern Rock” have developed a songwriting catalog that resonates with fans from multiple generations. Larkin Poe is slated to take over the Piedmont stage on Saturday at 4:45 p.m.
Phoebe Bridgers, recognized for her contrasting dark lyrics and graceful melodies, closes the list out as our Sunday pick. Fresh from performances at Austin City Limits and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Bridgers hits the Piedmont stage on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Shaky Knees promoter C3 Presents wouldn’t address the challenges of festival planning during the age of COVID-19 when contacted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, one C3 Presents employee said precautions around COVID-19 are “not something we publicly address right now as it is always changing.”
Previously, C3 parent organization Live Nation Entertainment said the safety of fans, artists and staff remains its top priority.
“Shaky Knees organizers are in regular communication with local health and public safety officials and will follow current recommendations and guidelines at the time of the festival,” it reported in a press release. “As the weekends approach, Shaky Knees patrons will receive regular updates with important information regarding safety policies and procedures before entering Central Park, which will also be shared at www.shakykneesfestival.com on social media and via the Shaky Knees Email List.”
According to the festival website, attendees are required to be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of first attending the festival. The festival is asking attendees to comply with the Shaky Knees Fan Health Pledge and bring a printed copy of their negative COVID-19 test result (showing test date), vaccine card or vaccine record each day. Further, those who are unvaccinated should wear a mask while onsite.
FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Shaky Knees Music Festival
With Foo Fighters, The Strokes and Run the Jewels headlining. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 22-24. Three-day passes $219-$425; daily passes $99-$195; VIP passes also available. Central Park, 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta. shakykneesfestival.com.
Full schedule:
Friday
Peachtree Stage
Glove 12 p.m.-12:45 p.m.
Peach Tree Rascals 1:30 p.m.-2:15p.m.
Noga Erez 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Dermot Kennedy 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
St. Vincent 6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
Foo Fighters 8:45 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Piedmont Stage
Ayron Jones 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
White Reaper 2:15 p.m.-3 p.m.
Cults 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
Dominic Fike 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Mac Demarco 7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
Ponce de Leon Stage
Tejon Street Corner Thieves 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Frankie & The Witch Fingers 2:15 p.m.-3 p.m.
Forgivers 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
Ty Segall & Freedom Band 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Amigo The Devil 7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
Criminal Records Stage
Specialists 12 p.m.-12:45 p.m.
The Alive 1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
Parker Gispert 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Local H 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
Black Pistol Fire 6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
Saturday
Peachtree Stage
Songs For Kids 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Carlie Hanson 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
Arlo Parks 2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Mercury Rev 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
Garbage 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Portugal. The Man 7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
Run The Jewels 9:45 p.m.-11p.m.
Piedmont Stage
The Alive 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m.
Neal Francis 1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Kennyhoopla 3:15 p.m.-4 p.m.
Larkin Poe 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
The Hives 6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
Alice Cooper 8:45 p.m.-9:45 p.m.
Ponce de Leon Stage
Quinton Brock 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m.
Geese 1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
The Collection 3:15 p.m.-4 p.m.
Mammoth WVH 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
Living Colour 6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
Idles 8:45 p.m.-9:45 p.m.
Criminal Records Stage
Kid Sistr 1 p.m.-1:45p.m.
Liza Anne 2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Cloud Nothings 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
Suki Waterhouse 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Lunar Vacation 7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
Sunday
Peachtree Stage
Songs For Kids Lowcountry Jukes 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Joy Oladokun 1:15-2 p.m.
Tennis 2:45-3:30 p.m.
Orville Peck 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Modest Mouse 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The Strokes 8:30-10 p.m.
Piedmont Stage
Bartees Strange 12:30 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
The Brook & The Bluff 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
Delta Spirit 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
O.A.R. 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Phoebe Bridgers 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Ponce de Leon Stage
Michigander 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
The Backseat Lovers 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Aces 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
All Them Witches 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Criminal Records Stage
Lowertown 1:15 p.m.-2 p.m.
The Aubreys 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Ritt Momney 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Black Midi 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
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