By Cameron Lee
May 4, 2023
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Shaky Knees first launched in Atlanta. In its inaugural year back in 2013, the festival—founded by former Masquerade promoter Tim Sweetwood—boasted a lineup featuring Dr. Dog, Gary Clark Jr., Kurt Vile, Band of Horses, and Jim James at Historic Fourth Ward Park. Influenced by the My Morning Jacket lyric “…and god damn, those shaky knees” from “Steam Engine,” the festival shares much in common with the song’s themes of mindfulness and connection. In many ways, that’s what sets Shaky Knees apart from most large-scale music festivals: its ability to focus on the music through a carefully curated lineup and top-notch sound and production.
While the location has changed over the years — from Historic Fourth Ward Park to Atlantic Station, to Centennial Olympic Park, and now Central Park in the Fourth Ward West neighborhood — the music has always remained central. Each year, the lineup showcases a wide range of genres, featuring rock goliaths, indie up-and-comers, folk, punk, new wave, metal, and, more recently, a touch of hip-hop. This year’s headliners include The Killers, Muse, and inaugural Shaky Knees performers The Lumineers. Between the sun-drenched streets and grassy hills of Central Park, festivalgoers will catch acts like New York indie art-rockers Yeah Yeah Yeahs, synth-pop outfit Future Islands — fronted by the ever-animated Samuel Herring — and hometown hero Killer Mike, filling in for Manchester Orchestra. The 2023 edition will also feature special album-centric sets, including The Flaming Lips performing their critically acclaimed 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Cypress Hill’s Black Sunday, and Digable Planets’ groundbreaking debut, Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space).
In celebration of the 10-year anniversary, downtown Atlanta will also be bustling with late-night shows at venues like The Earl, Masquerade, Center Stage, and Terminal West.
Here are a few of our most-anticipated sets and everything else you need to know about Shaky Knees 2023:
Digable Planets
Many rap groups have attempted to cohesively fuse jazz and hip-hop over the years, but none quite like Digable Planets. Their timeless, Grammy Award-winning debut album, Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space), introduced a fresh style of poetic rap, blending masterful jazz sample-laden production with the playful wordplay of Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler, Mariana “Ladybug Mecca” Vieira, and Craig “Doodlebug” Irving. A rare hip-hop performance at Shaky Knees, this is one that’s sure to delight.
The Walkmen
Recently reunited, the Hamilton Leithauser-fronted post-punk revivalists The Walkmen will perform an extensive set drawn from their seven-album catalog. This marks their first appearance in the South since reuniting, following a five-night run at Webster Hall in New York and three nights in Philadelphia.
Shame
South London post-punk rockers Shame make their Shaky Knees debut with a Saturday performance at 3:00 p.m. Their highly lauded debut album, Songs of Praise, introduced the five-piece band to the world with their angsty, sometimes glimmering, sometimes gloomy brand of music. Having recently released a new album, Food for Worms, Shame is sure to deliver the high-energy, head-banging rock show festival-goers have come to expect at Shaky Knees.
Cypress Hill
The Ponce De Leon Stage is sure to be aromatic as West Coast hip-hop legends Cypress Hill take the stage Friday night to perform their multi-platinum sophomore album, Black Sunday. Their set will offer a welcome change of tempo from the rock-heavy lineup preceding The Killers’ headlining performance on the main stage.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Coming off their first album in nine years, Cool It Down — nominated for two Grammys this yea — frontwoman Karen O is sure to dazzle on the Piedmont Stage. The festival marks the second stop on the band’s spring/summer tour, and they’re expected to perform a mix of songs from their five-album catalog, including hits like “Heads Will Roll” from 2009’s It’s Blitz!, “Maps” from Fever to Tell, and “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” from their latest release.
Future Islands
Hopefully by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, a cool breeze will sweep through the field at the Peachtree Stage to accompany Future Islands’ danceable, emotive synth-rock stylings. With Samuel Herring’s animated gyrations and fist pumps, the set is sure to rejuvenate festivalgoers worn down by the beaming Georgia sun on the final day. The North Carolina natives are coming off an extensive international tour, making this performance something of a homecoming.
Music Schedule
Festival Site Map
Late Night Shows
Food Vendors
Tickets are completely sold out for Shaky Knees 2023, but you can purchase verified re-sale tickets from their official website.
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