Shaky Knees Music Festival returns for the first year Atlanta’s Piedmont Park September 19‑21th with one of its boldest lineups yet: three headliners who were defining voices of the 90s/2000s hard rock/emo/punk wave (Deftones, My Chemical Romance, Blink‑182), joined by a sweeping mix of punk, alternative, indie revival, and legacy acts. It’s a bill that demands serious schedule‑crafting… there’s frankly just too much to see. But that’s exactly the point: across three days you get moments to revisit old favorites and discover new ones. Just a few highlights below!
Artists to Experience at Shaky Knees 2025
DEVO
Proto‑punk meets warped performance art. DEVO’s set is a chance to soak in the origins of so much of what feels fresh now. We obviously cannot wait for the timeless “Whip It,” but the band’s wide catalogue includes tunes with distorted synths and that perfectly off‑center energy that refuses to quiet down.
Wet Leg
Still one of the most electric newcomers who leapt out of the indie circuit in the last few years. Their blend of sardonic lyricism, catchy riffs, and playful stage energy makes them one of those acts where the good times feel spontaneous. Expect big hooks, off‑hand humour, and songs that feel modern in texture but nostalgic in spirit.
“Weird Al” Yankovic
A wildcard in a lineup full of mostly rock and indie cred. But Weird Al brings something else: comedy, parody, spectacle. His special guest billing means this probably won’t be the longest set, but expect costume changes, audience laughs, cheeky reimaginings, and that rare feeling of seeing someone so singular carve out his own lane. Great palate cleanser after heavy‑weight rockers.
Stereophonics
For fans of melodic rock with a touch of grit, Stereophonics bring that classic UK swagger. Their catalogue spans anthemic choruses, swaggering riffs, and emotionally resonant lyrics. In a year when many bands lean fully into spectacle, Stereophonics remind us there’s power in the direct, unpretentious rock song. Ideal for late‑day sets when the sun starts dipping and the crowd wants something grounding but still moving.
Blink‑182
You cannot see 5 bar bands in America without hearing “All the Small Things” 3 times. But it’s for good reason, the band mastered the pop-punk formula in the 90s and beyond. They’ll close out the festival with high energy, nostalgic weight, and a sense of celebration. Blink‑182 has always been about combining teenage angst, punk speed, and cheeky humour. In 2025, they’re a reminder of how pop punk shaped so many of today’s indie and alt scenes.
Pixies
Lasting influence, sheer dynamic contrast: loud‑quiet‑loud, slack vocals, weird lyrics, abrupt changes. Seeing Pixies live is like being reminded of the rough edges that shaped alt/indie rock, of how dissonance and melody can coexist. Their early records are religion.
TV on the Radio
Witness something more textural, something atmospheric. TVOTR are among those who’ve consistently merged soul, electronic touches, post‑punk, and almost cinematic textures into rock. Their live sets tend to be immersive: thoughtful, sometimes brooding, always artful. Tunes like “Wolf Like Me” and “Trouble” are instantly moving and not to be missed.
Johnny Marr
Legendary guitarist and founding member of The Smiths, Marr has an iconic songwriting pedigree that is based in his original licks. For many, Marr’s presence represents the enduring importance of the guitar craft—melodic lines, textures, that shimmering jangly tone. Whether playing solo material or interpreting classics, he brings a level of musicianship that elevates a festival’s musical conversation. Marr is a guitar legend, not to be missed. “How Soon is Now?” is reason enough.
Spoon
Consistency, cool reserve; Spoon’s strength is in the tension they build: tight rhythms, patient mid-tempo grooves, songs that unfold with an oftentimes subtlety. With a mix of older favorites and newer work, their set’s likely to be less about fireworks and more about quiet command.
