Shaky Knees 2025: Three Days of Music, Magic, & Memories Through a Photographer’s Lens

Growing up around music and being a musician myself, attending music festivals was something I did quite often in my teens and early twenties. Festivals like Warped Tour and Lollapalooza allowed me to experience some of the all-time great bands, as well as up-and-coming artists who have since become some of the biggest acts in the world.

It had been a few years since I’d experienced the festival lifestyle and excitement, so when the opportunity presented itself to cover Atlanta’s Shaky Knees Music Festival, I was all in. There’s something magical about waking up on the morning of the first day of a festival, and Atlanta’s Shaky Knees weekend was no exception. The day began with that familiar excitement you have before something monumental. It was a mix of anticipation, caffeine, sunscreen, and in my case, ibuprofen.

For photographers, the festival feels like a three-day marathon of intense sound and vibrant colors. Between sprinting from stage to stage and trying to capture those moments of connection between artist and audience, you’re reminded constantly that you’re not just documenting a festival — you’re living it.

Day One: Friday’s Kickstart to an Amazing Weekend

Walking into Piedmont Park on Friday was like stepping into a world where the only thing that matters is music and the memories that come with experiencing your favorite bands. The Atlanta skyline served as the perfect backdrop to the weekend’s events as fans streamed in under the warm afternoon sun. The first day’s lineup promised a wide spectrum of musical styles and it definitely delivered.

Day one of Shaky Knees 2025 set the tone for a weekend full of sonic diversity and infectious energy. Across all four stages, artists created a kaleidoscope of sound: from the punk-meets-hip-hop chaos of Joey Valence & Brae, whose carefree rebellion pulsed through the park, to the gritty, cathartic roar of IDLES, who turned the crowd into a sea of motion and mayhem. Sublime brought their laid-back Southern California rhythm, giving the crowd a chance to exhale and relive that moment the first time they heard “Santeria.” Inhaler filled the park with their youthful, emotional brand of indie rock, the perfect opening-day punch we all needed.

As twilight fell, The Marías transformed the Piedmont stage into a dreamscape of sultry, cinematic pop. María Zardoya captivated the audience with her graceful movements and magnetic presence. Each performance was unique, but blended together into a day that felt alive in every possible way.

When Deftones took to the Peachtree stage to close out the night, the tone shifted from sun-drenched celebration to something dark and thunderous, yet melodic and graceful. Their sound crashed through the park like a powerful storm. Chino Moreno’s voice floated between soft whispers and guttural screams, carrying a pulsing energy with every rise and fall. The band’s signature blend of aggression and beauty that has been perfected over 30 plus years of performances washed over the night — every riff was felt in your chest, every chorus igniting a surge of collective energy.

Celebrating the release of their new album Private Music, they performed new tracks like “My Mind Is a Mountain” and “Milk of the Madonna,” alongside timeless favorites including “Be Quiet and Drive,” “My Own Summer,” “Diamond Eyes,” “Genesis,” and my personal favorite, “Hole in the Earth.” As the amps screamed, it felt like the entire city was moving in sync with the music. It was the kind of closing set that didn’t just end the day — it seared itself into our memories forever.

Day Two: Saturday Brings a Full Day of Memories

Day two of Shaky Knees 2025 began under the early afternoon Atlanta sun. Warmth and sunshine set the stage for a day of music and celebration.

Across the festival grounds, artists brought their own distinct vibes: Cage the Elephant radiated gritty, high-voltage rock, their chaotic riffs and wild stage presence sparking a contagious frenzy that’s hard to put into words.

Michigander delivered emotive, introspective indie melodies that cut through the warm Georgia air, lingering with every note. Soft Play unleashed raw, powerful post-punk energy — sharp and loud, every beat punching you in the chest.

The All-American Rejects leaned into their melodic rock anthems, bringing back memories for countless fans. The Beaches owned the stage with bold, unapologetic pop-rock swagger, as lead singer and bassist Jordan Miller instantly connected with the crowd, making everyone feel as if they were up there with the band. TV on the Radio blended experimental textures with soulful vocals, adding a reflective and hypnotic edge.

The Black Keys ignited the night with their bluesy, hard-hitting rock — a smoky, guitar-driven sound rooted in rock and roll and Mississippi delta blues. Each act brought its own energy and left their individual thumbprint while weaving together a tapestry of sound that made the festival feel alive.

When My Chemical Romance took the stage as Saturday’s headliner, the energy erupted into full-blown theatrical intensity. From the photo pit, the crowd stretched as far as I could see — a sea of people unlike anything I had ever witnessed.

Watching them move like waves in the ocean was mesmerizing and made me pause for a moment to truly appreciate what I was seeing. In typical MCR fashion, theatrics and storytelling set the tone for the night. From the military procession to the operatic fanfare, it was clear this would be unlike anything I had ever seen or captured before. From the first note, the band took hold of the night and commanded the attention of the entire park.

Gerard Way moved across the stage, connecting with every person in the audience in a way only he can. His voice captivated the sea of fans as they hung on every word, while the band filled every corner of the park with powerful riffs and pounding drums. Their unique blend of punk, emo, and alternative rock created a fully immersive experience, and every song felt like one collective heartbeat between band and audience. As the lights, music, and pageantry amplified the final moments, the crowd responded in kind, creating a sea of energy and emotion moving as one. It was a monumental, unforgettable climax to a day of extraordinary music.

Day Three: The Final Push and the Last Dance

As Shaky Knees was quickly coming to its conclusion, the final day was filled with a promise of a vibrant mix of sound and excitement, a fitting way to close out the weekend. Alabama Shakes brought soulful, blues-infused rock, with lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard dazzling the crowd through a raw, emotional performance that could be felt deep in every heart and soul.

Devo injected their signature 80s kinetic energy, delivering a new wave art-punk sound filled with dance centric rhythms and playful theatrics that felt delightfully unpredictable. Franz Ferdinand offered precise, body moving indie rock, full of driving beats that turned the park into one big dance floor.

Wet Leg brought their distinctive sound and infectious indie energy, with Rhian Teasdale commanding the stage in a performance that was exuding her confidence on stage while her smile revealed just how much she enjoyed performing for the Shaky crowd.

Vampire Weekend floated in with their bright and melodic sound layered with inventive rhythms and lush harmonies, providing a dreamy counterpoint to the day’s heavier moments. Together, each performance carried the day with a mix of emotion, intensity, connection, and, most importantly, fun. It was a perfect reflection of what a festival is all about: music that brings us joy and brings us together.

As the weekend wound down, there was just one performance left and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to end it than with Blink-182 bringing it all home for the tens of thousands of fans packed into Piedmont Park for one last huge celebration of music. When Mark, Tom, and Travis hit the stage, the energy erupted into a full-blown explosion of sound, a fitting finale to a weekend filled with incredible performances.

The trio’s fast-paced punk anthems, infectious lyrics, and irrepressible humor ignited the crowd, sending fans jumping, moshing, and screaming along to every chorus. Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge bounced across the stage with effortless charisma, while Travis Barker’s unmistakable drumming provided the heartbeat of that signature Blink-182 sound.

The band delivered a perfect mix of nostalgia and new energy, opening the night with “The Rock Show” and performing classics like “Josie” and “Dammit,” alongside tracks from their newest album One More Time — including “Dance With Me” and “More Than You Know.” The highlight of the night came when the band tore into “What’s My Age Again?” and “All the Small Things” and sent the entire park into a punk rock frenzy. As the final chords rang out above the stage fireworks lit up the sky overhead setting the Atlanta skyline a glow.

Shaky Knees 2025 will go down as a legendary weekend of music, memories, energy, and community — one that will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who was there. As far as I’m concerned, Shaky Knees 2026 can’t get here fast enough.