The 2025 Shaky Knees Festival delivered music and spirit over its three day event in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park Sept. 19-21, drawing an estimated 40,000 attendees with its diverse rock, indie and alternative lineup.
Founder Tim Streetwood began the event in 2013 after taking inspiration from the lyrics of the song “Steam Engine” by My Morning Jacket. He wanted the name of the festival to be memorable and unique to reflect the indie focus of the festival.
Originally a two-day event, Shaky Knees has expanded to three days and shifted from several venues—from Atlantic Station to Centennial Olympic Park to Central Park—before settling in Piedmont Park to accommodate its growing audience.
Friday, Sept. 19
After checking into an Airbnb apartment, my parents and I took an electric scooter ride through the Atlanta Beltline to reach the park. After breezing through the check-in lines, the first look at the venue is jaw-dropping. The sheer amount of people there was unbelievable, with thousands gathered across the grassy park.
After catching the end of Spoon’s set, we met with my aunt and rested at picnic tables until the Pixies began. After half an hour with the Pixies, we moved to the Peachtree stage early in attempt to secure a good view of Deftones.
Deftones were an obvious favorite of the attendees. Their performance was mesmerizing—from the lights and visuals to the overall music and vibe of the set. The crowd swayed to softer songs and erupted during louder ones. I got a high-view on my fathers back and was able to see thousands of strangers experiencing the same magical performance.
Leaving the show felt like being carried along in a sea of people, and the dust and smoke in the air left me coughing as we exited the park. Electric scooters took us back to the Airbnb, where we ended the night with local pizza.
Saturday, Sept. 20
The next day started with lunch at Bartaco before returning to the park by another scooter ride. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly seeing My Chemical Romance; the rest of the day consisted of aimless wandering.
As it began to get dark, my family and I went to the Peachtree stage for Cage the Elephant’s set, which took place one hour before MCR. My parents and aunt, MCR fans since middle school, were determined to get close to the front.
Unfortunately, so were hundreds of other fans with the same idea.
Standing in the center of the audience with thousands of others was far from ideal. The air was thick, and I could barely move. Near us, a younger woman with a hand-held fan began cooling off those around her—including us. My aunt kept calling her “an angel sent from heaven” because of her rare moment of kindness in a tense situation.
Even so, claustrophobia overwhelmed me and I chose to separate from my aunt and leave the crowd. As I began exiting the audience, people noticed I was distressed and helped guide me out. Several strangers offered words of encouragement as I squeezed my way towards open space.
When I finally made it out of the crowd, the fresh air hit me like a godsend. I was so thankful to be out of the heat and pressure. After only two songs, my parents and aunt joined me away from the audience.
Despite the setback, MCR was one of my favorite sets visually and emotionally, delivering the strongest performance in terms of sound, energy and entertainment. Observing their stage presence and emotional intensity coupled with shouting lyrics and dancing along with joy was unforgettable.
Sunday, Sept. 21
The last and final day of the festival turned out to be my favorite of the entire weekend all because of one band: Fleshwater.
Their set at the Criminal Records stage was the most fun I’d had at any show. I truly felt the energy of the audience. In the dead center, close to the front, the music vibrated through the dry, grassy ground and into my chest.
The energy of the crowd was unmatched. More than 30 people crowd surfed, some even colliding with each other mid-air. The mosh pit was the biggest I had ever seen. It was the most physically involved and chaotic set of the entire weekend.
Alongside the music came some memorable moments, ranging from hundreds of strangers guiding a blow-up animal to its owner to people climbing on each other’s backs to catch a glimpse of the set.
The audience was wildly diverse. From teenagers to grandparents, vibrant fashion statements to plain T-shirts, people from all walks of life came together that day. The atmosphere was accepting and one-of-a-kind.
This penultimate set was indicative of what Shaky Knees is all about. It wasn’t just a festival—it was a shared emotional experience designed for all of us.
