Atlanta, September 25, 2025

News Summary

The Shaky Knees Music Festival made a triumphant return to Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, drawing large crowds for its twelfth edition. Running from September 19 to 21, the festival featured headliners My Chemical Romance, Deftones, and Blink-182, alongside various artists across multiple genres. Fans enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere and notable performances, while local businesses benefited from increased traffic. This year’s festival not only showcased established acts but also highlighted emerging talent, further solidifying its position in Atlanta’s music scene.

Atlanta

Atlanta’s Shaky Knees Music Festival held its 2025 edition over the weekend at Piedmont Park. The festival ran from September 19 to 21, marking its return after a hiatus of music events in 2024. This year, the festival celebrated its twelfth anniversary, drawing sold-out crowds for three consecutive days.

This year’s headliners included My Chemical Romance, Deftones, and Blink-182, and the lineup featured a mix of rock heavyweights and rising acts across genres including alternative, punk, indie, and hip-hop. Friday’s performances were led by Deftones with additional sets from artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, The Marías, Pixies, IDLES, Spoon, and Inhaler.

Saturday showcased My Chemical Romance with a roster that included Cage The Elephant, The Black Keys, Public Enemy, The Backseat Lovers, and TV On The Radio, along with emerging acts like The Linda Lindas and Bilmuri. Sunday concluded the festival with performances from Blink-182, Vampire Weekend, Alabama Shakes, Lucy Dacus, Devo, Franz Ferdinand, and Weird Al Yankovic.

The festival showcased high-energy performances and engaging crowd interactions, including mosh pits and singalongs. Shaky Knees expanded from Central Park, its location for the past seven years, to the historic 200-acre Piedmont Park, enhancing both scale and atmosphere. The venue switch allowed for larger crowds and improved infrastructure, boosting the festival’s relevance on the national circuit.

Organizers ensured a smooth experience with numerous hydration stations and accessible viewing areas across the park’s rolling hills. The festival had the strongest ticket sales to date and attracted thousands of fans, reinforcing its status as a key music event in Atlanta. Local businesses near Piedmont Park welcomed the festival, reporting increased traffic and sales, marking a significant economic boost for the area.

Fans expressed positive sentiments about the new venue, enjoying the broader views and vibrant atmosphere offered by Piedmont Park. Noteworthy performances included a memorable high-energy set from Sublime, led by Jakob Nowell, son of the original lead singer, Bradley Nowell. Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths, also performed a crowd-pleasing set featuring hits from the band.

Attendees noted a mix of older fans and younger newcomers, illustrating the festival’s appeal across generations. The event faced minimal complaints regarding noise and traffic from the local community. Festival staff and organizers received commendations for their management and organization of the large event. Multiple emerging artists were presented, showcasing talent across various stages and providing opportunities for new musicians.

Advanced planning and the unique setting were credited for the festival’s successful execution and community support. The park’s natural beauty and landscape were highlighted as enhancing the festival experience, showcasing Atlanta as a vibrant music city.

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Additional Resources

• Atlanta Magazine: Shaky Knees Music Festival
• Wikipedia: Shaky Knees Music Festival
• FOX 5 Atlanta: Shaky Knees and Local Business
• AJC: Highlights from Shaky Knees Day 3
• WGAU Radio: Shaky Knees Festival Overview

Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER

The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.