Atlanta, September 22, 2025
News Summary
The Shaky Knees Music Festival made a successful debut at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, attracting record attendance. Key headliners like Deftones and My Chemical Romance delivered outstanding performances, while attendees praised the festival’s diverse appeal. Despite some concerns about noise and overcrowding, the event’s eco-friendly initiatives and positive community response demonstrated its potential as a permanent fixture in Atlanta’s cultural calendar.
Atlanta
The Shaky Knees Music Festival successfully debuted from September 19 to 21, 2025, at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, attracting record attendance and igniting excitement within the community. The festival, which took over the dates previously held by Music Midtown, is designed to become a permanent feature in Atlanta’s cultural calendar.
Organizers reported a spectacular turnout as the festival grounds inside Piedmont Park filled with attendees eager to see key headliners such as Deftones, My Chemical Romance, and Blink-182. Notable performances from acts like Lenny Kravitz, Alabama Shakes, and Vampire Weekend contributed to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere. Many attendees, including repeat festival-goers, praised its ability to appeal to a diverse audience spanning across generations.
Doug Widener, president and CEO of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, emphasized that Piedmont Park serves as a long-standing community gathering spot, facilitating large events like Shaky Knees. Despite some concerns related to noise and traffic, mitigation efforts and the festival’s urban park context garnered minimal outrage from locals on social media.
This year, festival organizers implemented eco-friendly initiatives, incentivizing recycling by rewarding attendees who collected cans with free T-shirts. However, while overall attendance was strong, some VIP attendees expressed frustration regarding overcrowding. A new Premium pass limited previous VIP access, impacting their experience.
Community businesses reported increased activity as restaurants and shops surrounding Piedmont Park, such as Zocalo and The Nook, prepared for the influx of visitors. The festival attracted attendees from outside Georgia, significantly boosting the local economy and commerce in the vicinity. The event’s success was bolstered by favorable weather conditions, with dry skies contributing positively, unlike the heavy rains that disrupted past festivals like Music Midtown in 2013.
The Piedmont Park Conservancy is collaborating with the City of Atlanta to limit major festivals to six annually, ensuring that events such as the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and Atlanta Pride Festival continue while managing environmental concerns. Despite the festival’s successful debut, discussions surrounding the environmental impact of large-scale events in the park are ongoing, though festival management received commendations for their organization.
The Shaky Knees Music Festival marks a significant addition to Atlanta’s event lineup, aspiring to remain a cultural staple for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What dates did the Shaky Knees Music Festival take place?
The Shaky Knees Music Festival took place from September 19 to 21, 2025.
Where was the Shaky Knees Music Festival held?
The festival was held at Piedmont Park in Atlanta.
Who were the key headliners of the festival?
Key headliners included Deftones, My Chemical Romance, and Blink-182.
What initiatives did the festival implement for recycling?
Shaky Knees offered incentives for recycling by providing garbage bags for attendees to collect cans in exchange for free T-shirts.
How did the weather impact the festival?
The weather conditions during the festival were dry, leading to dust issues but lacked the heavy rains that negatively impacted past festivals like Music Midtown in 2013.
What was the community’s response to the festival regarding noise and traffic?
Reports on social media indicated minimal outrage from locals regarding the festival’s noise and traffic, as many understood the urban park context.
Key Features of the Shaky Knees Music Festival
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 19 to 21, 2025 |
| Location | Piedmont Park, Atlanta |
| Headliners | Deftones, My Chemical Romance, Blink-182 |
| Notable Acts | Lenny Kravitz, Alabama Shakes, Vampire Weekend |
| Recycling Initiative | Free T-shirts for collecting cans |
| Weather | Dry with dust issues, no heavy rains |
| Community Response | Minimal outrage regarding noise and traffic |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
My Chemical Romance to Perform at Comerica Park
Mild Weather with Rain Expected in Atlanta This Week
Atlanta Prepares for Significant Rainfall to End Dry Spell
Rae and the Ragdolls Set to Perform Live in Atlanta
Weather Update: Storms and Drought Conditions in North Georgia
Warm and Mostly Sunny Weekend for Atlanta
Weekend Weather Forecast in Atlanta Shows Low Rain Chances
Atlanta Faces Hot and Dry Weekend Amid Drought Concerns
Atlanta Prepares for Shaky Knees Music Festival
Major Traffic Disruptions Expected in Atlanta This Weekend
Additional Resources
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Wikipedia: Piedmont Park
- AJC
- Google Search: Shaky Knees Music Festival
- Saporta Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Music Festival
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Google News: Shaky Knees Atlanta
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.
