Shaky Knees 2025 Preview: Where Genres Collide and Music Comes Alive

Shaky Knees is back and is aiming to be bigger and louder than ever! From September 19–21, Atlanta’s Piedmont Park will transform into a three-day paradise for music lovers craving a mix of iconic headliners, rising stars, and deep-cut fan favorites. This year's Shaky Knees lineup is an expertly curated blend of damn near every genre. Looking for indie rock, punk, alternative, or hip-hop? This fest has you covered. The festival once again looks to prove why it's a staple for serious music lovers from all across the country. And honestly, the 2025 lineup might just be the festival’s most explosive yet! This year’s headliners read like a playlist on an old click wheel iPod. The Deftones bring their heavy, shoegazy sound to open the weekend, and with a new album on the way, they are bound to play some new bangers that get the mosh pit swirling. That's just night one. My Chemical Romance will headline Saturday with full regalia and in full emo glory. They are set to perform the classic album Black Parade in its entirety. I am looking forward to seeing the masses march along! And last but certainly not least, Blink-182 wraps up the festival on Sunday with their unmistakable blend of high-energy pop-punk, adolescent jokes, and crowd-pleasing anthems. But it’s the undercard that gives Shaky Knees its edge this year; expect everything from the raw fire of IDLES and the wickedly cool Vampire Weekend to the soulful power of Brittany Howard and the Alabama Shakes. Other standout acts include Spoon, Public Enemy, Cage the Elephant, Lucy Dacus, Franz Ferdinand, and someone I'm super stoked to see, "Weird Al" Yankovic, because why not? This year's lineup just proves that Shaky Knees hasn't lost its taste for the unexpected. With three days and over 50 acts, the fest is sure to be an unforgettable weekend. And when the park stages go quiet, the music doesn’t stop. Shaky Knees Late Night Shows take over venues across Atlanta, offering intimate sets, surprise collabs, and after-hours energy that keeps the festival spirit alive well into the night. Whether you're coming for the mosh pits, the sing-alongs, or just to soak in the last days of summer, Shaky Knees 2025 is shaping up to be a defining moment for live music festivals this year. Come for the headliners, stay for the deep cuts, and most importantly, don’t forget your sunscreen.