Tag: shaky knees
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Shaky Knees Diaries: Day 3
It’s time for the final installment of the 2021 Shaky Knees Diaries :’). So let’s dive in, but make sure you’ve caught up on Day 1 and Day 2 first!
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Today, we are off to a late start. After the Run the Jewels performance of the previous night, we slept in. Then, we took our time grabbing lunch at Krog Street Market and strolling through the Beltline and Ponce City Market. (Side note: Krog has some of the best food in Atlanta – like Jai Ho, the Indian restaurant I loved and Soul, which served wings that my boyfriend will literally not stopping talking about.) We were staying close enough that we could walk to the park and today, we decided we would. The gorgeous Georgia weather was on our side as Shaky Knees had fallen neatly within those two blissful weeks of the year when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold and just perfect.
2:30 p.m. – So far, we had avoided the long lines that form later in the day as most ticketholders arrive late. Today was different. As we approached the main entrance (just a few hours earlier than the past two days), there is no clear path forward. Instead, we find a sea of festivalgoers ahead of us. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait long as everyone is rushed through security steadily (for better or for worse).
2:55 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – The Aubreys
The duo, consisting of Malcolm Craig and Finn Wolfhard, began their performance at 2:45 p.m. We missed the first few minutes due to the crowded gate, but we still manage to catch much of the set. They’re performing on the Criminal Records Stage, which is the perfect place for casual enjoyers to camp out and sit on the grass while still being close enough to see the action. And that’s exactly what we did. The Aubreys are laid back but charismatic, charming the audience with their jests. I could see a dedicated group of fans jumping and swaying near the stage.
3:30 p.m. – The Backseat Lovers
The Ponce de Leon stage had a crowd going way before the Backseat Lovers took their places. The front of the stage is packed and even the little hill behind the gravel lot has little room left for walking. Once the show begins, many in the audience sing scream along with the band.
About halfway through the set, I start to wonder how Delta Spirit must be doing on the other side of the park. Out of curiosity, I’d been making mental notes about the relative streaming numbers of artists and what stage they were placed on. My conclusion is that there is no correlation, but for the most part, the Shaky Knees booking team seems to know their stuff pretty well. In this case, the Backseat Lovers outdo Delta Spirit by quite a large margin in terms of streaming. And yet, it’s the former that’s on the smaller stage. Ultimately, this worked well because the experience of a packed show in a smaller, more intimate venue suited the Backseat Lovers.
4:10 p.m. – My curiosity gets the best of me. So, we head over to see Delta Spirit perform on Zelle on Piedmont. There is a sizable crowd going with many gathering by the stage and others hanging back, enjoying the show from afar. We join the people lounging on the grass. Tired as we are, we decide to lie down on the grass and close our eyes. Delta Spirit is putting on a proper rock concert and I can feel the ground vibrate underneath me. At that point, I understand why they were placed on this very stage.
4:30 p.m.– Orville Peck
It’s time for the most enigmatic character of the entire lineup to perform. Orville Peck, the cowboy who’s never revealed his face, debuted in 2019. Despite my lack of familiarity with Peck, I could tell that festival goers were buzzing to see him live. So, we took our seats on the hill across from the Peachtree Stage. Peck was on the big screen with a wide white cowboy hat and his signature face mask. When he turned around, you could catch a better glimpse of his flamboyant jacket, which was painted with flames, a sunset, a truck on the highway, and (of course) his name. Before his performance of “Roses are Falling,” Orville sincerely asks the audience, “Have you ever loved someone so much you wanted to kill them?” If you have, he asks that you hold them close for this song.
5:00 p.m. – Ritt Momney
We left Orville’s set early to catch Ritt Momney at Criminal Records. And I will admit, I have some serious regrets about leaving Orville’s set early for a largely unremarkable performance. Oh well, we live, and we learn. Oh, and Ritt didn’t even stay for his whole set; he ended 15 minutes early!
5:15 p.m. – With the extra time on our hands, we move over to the Ponce de Leon stage and get a spot for The Aces’ 5:30 p.m. show. There is already a crowd forming. The Aces begin with their hit single “Daydream” and the audience loves them. Halfway through the show, lead vocalist Cristal Ramirez steps off the stage to sing by the barricade and the audience absolutely loses their minds. I am stunned by how her voice sounds exactly like it does on records. At some point, my boyfriend taps on my shoulder and goes, “The number of guys who were clearly brought here by their girlfriends and have no idea what’s happening is astonishing.” He was right. We were surrounded by a comical number of this exact pairing, and yes, it included us.
6:10 p.m. – We head over to Zelle on Piedmont where O.A.R. is performing. One thing I forgot to mention earlier: about one in 20 people today showed up with skeletons on their shirts à la the iconic Phoebe Bridgers look. And now, they concentrated in this exact spot, all waiting for the O.A.R performance to end to secure their spots for Phoebe.
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – O.A.R.’s performance ends and their fans shuffle their way out of the crowd; people here to see Phoebe fill the gaps in immediately. There’s still an hour to go while Modest Mouse performs one stage over, but at least, the crowd knows how to keep themselves entertained and we get to watch the sunset behind us as we wait. Someone holds up their phone a couple feet behind me, it reads, “Anyone lesbian?”
About ten minutes before her set begins, I hear the crowd in front of us begin to chant “mommy, mommy” repeatedly, but it dies down. The crowd tightens slightly as the beginning time gets closer. A girl next to me comments, “Did everyone suddenly get taller? I can’t see anymore.” My boyfriend responds back, “I think that if everyone could just take off their Doc Martens, we’d be able to see better.”
7:30 p.m. – Phoebe Bridgers
Right on time, Phoebe’s ensemble steps out on stage clad in skeletal bodysuits accompanied by Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling” playing in the background. Phoebe herself is wearing all black with a faintly sparkly top and a blazer to top it off. This is her last stop of tour, and she begins with her most popular song “Motion Sickness.” When “Scott Street” plays, the crowd is singing along softly, but clearly; it sounds a like a lovely, haunting lullaby. To the absolute delight of the audience Phoebe plays her song “Georgia,” which has not been on the setlist for any previous shows of the tour. Of the song she says, “Sincerity is fucking humiliating but I’m coming around to it.”
When she notices a fan poster asking her about her favorite movie, she responds, “I re-watched the SpongeBob movie this year, it holds up. Anyway, this next song is about alcoholism.” Before her last song, Phoebe says she has one wish before the end of tour, she really wants a mosh pit (“I’m sorry about the tote bag bitches”). Then, she begins “I Know The End,” which builds and builds and builds until you can’t hear anything but the instrumental and screams. And then, it’s over.
8:30 p.m. – The Strokes
It’s 8:30 p.m. – time for the Strokes to perform, but they are nowhere to be seen. We get no explanation as to what’s going on. This is unusual for Shaky Knees because all the acts so far have operated like clockwork. Nearly 20 minutes pass until the band finally steps out on to stage. We have opted to watch the show from afar, where we can see the effects clearly and dance as we wish. The crowd is clearly excited to be there, but something feels… off. Leader singer, Julian Casablancas, kind of sounds like he’d rather be anywhere else. He is mumbling through the lyrics and his interactions with the crowd are subpar at best. I didn’t stay for the full set, but I did stay long enough to hear him start then immediately stop at the onset of one song (“I don’t know the lyrics to this one”).
Even dedicated fans were divided over the performance when the festival was over. Many were disappointed by Casablancas’ unprofessional demeanor and his overall performance, even ones who’d been waiting to see them for years. This was not the ending they had hoped for after an incredible weekend at Shaky. But there was another camp of fans who had a blast despite these shortcomings – it’s a rock concert after all, what did you expect?! That’s just classic Julian! Either way, when I walked out of that park with “The Adults Are Talking” fading out in the distance, I could almost see the end credits begin to roll.
So, that’s what you missed at this year’s Shaky Knees. If you want to experience it for yourself, check out the Shaky Knees 2022 lineup, which just got released! Until next time…
Shaky 2021: A Weekend Highlight Reel
Alas, a magnificently Shaky Knees weekend has again shaken, grooved, and jigged its way through our lives, now soaring onwards to next year. Whether you caught the magic this time around or not, I’ve got ya covered.
Kicking off the weekend with Glove
The weekend was off to a beautiful start with an early performance of stylistically vibrant dance-rock band, Glove. My high expectations were soaring, and instantly met by this lively group. Glove were the perfect fit (wink) for the weekend’s formative, inaugural performance of alternative talent.
Next up: Mayhem at the White Reaper pit
The intuitive talent of the White Reaper fellas swept the audience into a frenzy of mosh and dance. From the euphoric, intimate pit of fans, to the crisp autumn breeze, this set was everything it could’ve been and more.
Afternoon dazin’ at Cults
Thousands sprawled across the grass before the Piedmont stage to brace a widely anticipated Cults set. Cults blissfully welcomed the weekend by casting a lively mood and warm glow over the energy of the festival—as well as good fortune. It was during this set that a few friends and I casually ran into Dominic Fike!
Finishing off the evening with Black Pistol Fire
Black Pistol Fire gave an electrifying sunset show Friday evening. This fierce two-man act produced enough sound to compensate a rowdy noise band, effectively winding down the light of the day by igniting the fire of the night.
A midnight snack: IDLES @ the Masq
What better space for IDLES to nearly break the floor of, if not the Masquerade? Ceaseless movement and passion encompassed the IDLES late-night show—a niche intensity that we’d prepared for. Though the next day’s festival set still wreaked havoc upon mosh participants, seeing these brusque brits in such an intimate venue was the angsty experience one dreams of their IDLES gig to be.
Saturday starts with a few Geese
I was stoked to begin the second day of Shaky with Brooklyn-based rising punk band Geese. They naturally ooze the same urgency and authenticity found ringing through singles like “Low Era” and “Disco.” Geese have singlehandedly ushered a momentum of excitement through the post-punk scene, set to flourish beyond the fringes of New York’s underground. Bringing a refreshing blend of noise rock and progressive melodies, each song was a compliment of the next.
Cloud Nothings under the clouds
A mid-day surge of excitement was effortlessly brought on by Cloud Nothing‘s set, despite a calm crowd of seemingly introspective onlookers. Nevertheless, Cloud Nothings delivered on the rocked out energy that the rest of us were there for.
Garbage & The Hives: a back-2-back mania of fun
Equally as nostalgic as they were unfamiliar and empowering—Garbage came ready to reveal an entirely fresh version of themselves, different to what many remember them as. Frontwoman Shirley Manson enamored the crowd with her charm and down-to-earth yet expressive speeches. Between songs was fluid engagement with the audience, and a passionate dedication to issues like systemic misogyny and racism, as well as the internet’s tight grip over our self image and idealizations. As someone admirably known for using her platform to speak on pressing matters, Manson’s compelling stage presence made Garbage all the more meaningful.
The Hives still being those rousing, rambunctious Swedes
The Hives put on a headliner-worthy show that swiftly attracted the whole festival their way. Although me and my friends had made it up to the front for their set, we’d looked back in the midst of the mania to find a swarming park behind us. It’s because The Hives are resolute attention-grabbers, known for giving their music an added layer of commotion through audacious live performances. Frontman, natural charmer, and feisty performance artist Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist made sure I’d never forget this fact, as he held the hands of me and my friend and spared a cheeky Swedish wink before ascending up the barricade gap.
Portugal the Man grounds and uplifts us all at once
Immaculate energy quickly and pervasively surrounded the main stage as the sun set on Saturday night, thanks to Portugal the Man’s dazzling sound and lights, mind-altering visuals, and intermittent well-informed social takes. Throughout, we were invited into the world of insight and honor that Portugal the Man operates within: one that makes an initiative to learn, embrace, and respect the indigenous lands we exist upon. This message sweetly set the tone of the show, spreading a comforting veil of acceptance and gratitude over the crowd.
Delta Spirit and some spirits to commence the holy day
The last day of a festival invites a mysterious energy—one slightly melancholy to have reached the end, but equally as elated to ravage the park grounds from pure emotion. This kind of feeling encapsulated Delta Spirit, which was profoundly needed to remind us Shaky attendees that the weekend was far from over.
Orville Peck swoons the entire city of Atlanta in one go
Orville Peck’s astonishing presence, both on and off the stage, is enough to unify any given set of opposing groups. So, you can imagine the effect it had on our deliriously laxed out, mid-afternoon crowd of indie fans. If the effect you were thinking was a collective eruption of square-dancing, you’re completely right. Draped in only the swankiest and most refined cowboy fits imaginable, Orville Peck & his band—both visually and sonically—served as the premium highlight of Shaky Knees 2021.
(p.s. I spotted this dashing cowboy in all of his masked glory while backstage—can now confirm that his charm knows absolutely no bounds).
The Strokes… I repeat, The Strokes
The Sunday recap is moderately concise since 75% of the day was spent aggressively anticipating this, which was only the most anticipated show of my life. For that reason, recalling the sequence of events that comprised this set is hard for me. It felt like a genuine emotional black-out from the first reverberation of “Hard To Explain,” to my shoulder-descension following “Automatic Shop.” What I can most definitely recall, however, is that the dudes seemed tired, but nevertheless very proud of their loyal Atlantan turnout and the rabid energy we brought for them.
Featured photo: The Strokes © Emily Butler Photography
Shaky Knees Diaries: Day 2
Shaky Knees Diaries: Day 2
Make sure to check out my recap of Day 1 if you haven’t already!
1:00 p.m. – Carlie Hanson
We get to Central Park with the rest of the early birds to catch the first few shows of the day. I really appreciate that all the events start after noon at Shaky Knees, because damn, did I need to sleep in. First up is Carlie Hanson on the Peachtree Stage. Hanson walks out on stage with her freshly, freshly = three weeks ago, shaved head, and I am bemused by the thought that I would hate to perform bald with the sun beaming me during the hottest part of the day (Can you get sunburnt on your scalp?). From where I’m watching, this doesn’t seem to slow her down at all. Her performance is energetic and dynamic. She shows sincere love for the people of Atlanta. Meanwhile, I am sitting on the grass feeling slight to moderate levels of existential dread after realizing she is younger than I am.
1:30 p.m. – Kid Sistr
We leave Carlie Hanson’s show a little early to catch the end of Kid Sistr’s performance on the Criminal Records Stage. I had not previously listened to the all-women band before then, but so many friends recommended the act that we had to check them out. Happy to report that I’m pleased we got to see them perform. The trio clearly consists of seasoned and charming musicians, who are tremendously down-to-earth. Kid Sistr gained a steady following using TikTok during the pandemic and released a six-song self-titled debut EP. To me, it was obvious they were grateful to be back on stage, performing their first festival show.
2:15 p.m. – Arlo Parks
We arrive at Arlo Parks about 15 minutes early and take our places near the stage, which is set up with vibrant flower decorations and a simple yet elegant banner with her name on it. As the show begins at 2:30 p.m., I glance behind me. The field has gotten significantly more crowded. To be honest, I’m surprised Arlo was placed at such an early slot with only 45 minutes of stage time instead of a full hour. She certainly has the streaming numbers to justify a longer set; and although I couldn’t see the full extent of the crowd from the front, it seemed like a big one. Her performance was striking and endearing to witness. During the middle of the set, she plays three of the biggest crowd-pleasers back-to-back, going from “Too Good” to “Caroline” to “Eugene”. It was definitely a set worth seeing all the way through.
3:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. – During this three-hour period, my boyfriend and I don’t really commit to any of the shows. We catch a little bit of everything from Neal Francis to The Collection to Mercury Rev to Larkin Poe. We enjoy the pleasant October weather, thankful for a fall Shaky Knees, which is as perfect as the weather in Georgia can be. It’s warm but breezy. I almost wish it was in October every year, and I think a lot of people would agree.
For all the acts so far, we have enjoyed the show from a distance or in a sparse crowd by the stage. Tonight is going to be different. We’re going to get as close as we can to see today’s headliner – Run the Jewels. But this is a marathon, not a race. Getting front row at a festival requires perseverance and a little bit of prep.
So, first up: dinner. This time we go to the main food truck area by the two bigger stages where the food options are grand. They have everything from noodles to pizza to smoothies. Luckily, the food lines are pretty short compared to the lengthy bar lines. I settle for a chicken gyro and my boyfriend gets a pulled pork sandwich. These are much better than yesterday’s chicken fingers and salty fries. I grab a few lite snacks (Oreos and Nutter Butters) from the press lounge for the road (AKA holding our spot).
Before we stop by Peachtree Stage to scout the situation, I finally cave and use a porta-potty. I managed to go without them yesterday, but I know today I can’t risk it. But hey, here I am, I survived to tell the story.
6:30 p.m. – Garbage’s set on the Peachtree stage ends in 15 minutes. We sit by the grassy hills once again and watch everyone rock out to “When I Grow Up” (no, not the Pussycat Dolls’ song sadly). The set ends at 6:45 p.m. As expected, there’s a good crowd by the stage that doesn’t seem to be moving. So, we decide to join them and make our way down there to wait for the next set. At this point, we’re about six people away from the stage so things are looking good. There’s a group of women in front of us who say they’ve been here for six hours to see Portugal. the Man from the front row – that’s festival life for you.
7:45 p.m. – Portugal. The Man
Before Portugal’s set begins, one of the band members steps out onto the stage. He explains that for every place they get to perform, they ask someone from the indigenous community in the area to begin with an Indigenous land acknowledgment. So tonight, a member of the Atlanta Indigenous Peoples Association joins us over a video to acknowledge that the land originally belonged to the Cherokee and Muscogee communities. She goes on to say that for many Indigenous communities land is considered sacred. She asks for a moment of silence. Once it’s over, a video clip starts interloping Portugal’s hit single Feel It Still with other various clips. It gets the crowd going immediately. Their set is minimal except for a projector that plays various psychedelic images and videos for the entirety of the show. They range from declarations of love from the band to their fans to lots of naked dolls. Not once did the band stop to talk, except for maybe four words I don’t remember anymore. They played songs non-stop. It was a show that was immensely fun to see so up close and personal.
8:45 p.m. – Portugal the Man wraps up right on time. Promptly, Alice Cooper takes the stage at the Ponce de Leon, but unfortunately, we cannot make it. We’ll have to settle for hearing it in the distance. (From the looks of it though, we missed quite the show. Alice Cooper seemed to have taken the Halloween theme to heart.) Anyways, back to me. Shortly after Portugal’s set ends, their fans dutifully leave the crowd. I weasel my tiny self from the sixth row right up to the second. The girls in front of me say they’re not staying for the full set for the headliner and that we can take their place once they leave. Everything is going according to plan.
For the next hour, we watch as the stage is broken down and set up again. At this point, it’s gotten colder, and I’ve put on the new hoodie my boyfriend bought at the merch stand. It’s fluorescent pink with an image of the iconic Run the Jewels logo. On the stage, the crew suspends a larger-than-life version of the same logo above everything else. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, check it out below.
9:45 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Run the Jewels
Alice Cooper fades out in the distance and the anticipation where we’re standing picks up. Right at 9:45 p.m., the crowd begins to chant “RTJ” repeatedly. Then, the DJ steps out onto the stage for the introductions with a remix of “We Are the Champions” playing in the back. The crowd responds by putting up a fist with one hand and a pistol with the other. Killer Mike and El-P step out onto the stage and the show picks up. The speakers in front of the stage are so loud, I can see the cardboard trash can in front of me vibrate. I have a lot of regrets in my life. Getting to the front of the stage for this show is not one of them. Neglecting to bring earplugs is absolutely one of them. There’s so much that happens during the next hour and 15 minutes that I’m not sure I can even do it justice, but I will certainly try.
El-P lovingly jokes that he never sees Killer Mike get nervous to perform, but tonight it seemed as though Mike was in fact nervous to perform for his home city of Atlanta. On top of that, this is the duo’s fourth show in three years. Needless to say, it certainly feels like a special event for everyone. Thirty minutes in and the girls in front of us leave as planned and so, I am now at the barrier still wearing the pink RTJ hoodie.
Run the Jewels, who are known for their politically charged lyrics and activism, interlace a lot of it into their shows. Like when the crowd chants “look at all these slave masters posin’ on yo’ dollar.” At another point, during “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” I raise my camera up to record the show, and right at that second Killer Mike spots me and performs his lines pointing directly and me and my camera:’) – an absolutely unforgettable moment.
Later on, somebody behind us throws their shoe on stage and security immediately jumps over the barrier to find the culprit that everyone is already pointing at. On the stage (unrelated to the shoe incident), Killer Mike preaches “developing empathy and compassion is gold. Love is gold. And every woman in this crowd deserves to be loved and cherished.” The audience responds sincerely to his sentiments.
Then, the duo does something unusual for a festival. They say their goodbyes ten minutes early and leave the stage. A minute passes, the “RTJ” chant starts back up, and they burst back out for an encore. They perform a few more songs. Finally, Mike takes a moment to bring his kids out onto the stage and asks them to stay for the final song. The show is over but Killer Mike and El-P come back out after the lights go out to thank everyone, but the mics were already cut so we couldn’t hear them. We join the crowds and depart after a second successful day at Shaky Knees.
Shaky Knees Diaries: Day 1
7:15 a.m. – It is Friday morning. My alarm goes off and I am not quite ready to leave my bed, but I know I must because Atlanta traffic is a bitch and I’m coming in all the way from Athens for Shaky Knees. So, I haul ass out of bed. I shower, put on my first-day outfit, and pack a few last items. I make my coffee and head out the door.
8:30 a.m. – I pick up my boyfriend and we are headed to Atlanta. For most of the ride, we listen to the artists we’ll be seeing this weekend and get hype.
10:40 a.m. – We arrive in Atlanta with miraculously little traffic along the way, and we head over to pick up our wristbands at will call.
(There is a brief intermission period here in which I take us in the wrong direction heading to the festival gate, which means we take a 20-minute detour going around the park. And then, I take us in the wrong direction inside the festival trying to find the first act we want to see. The sad part is I was looking at a map both times. Hereafter, I am no longer allowed to navigate anywhere, ever again.)
12:00 p.m. – Specialists
Even though my poor navigation skills cost us a good bit of time, we manage to reach the Criminal Records Stage just in time to catch the Specialists kick off the festival. Hailing in from New York, Specialists have certainly brought the heat (and a few of their friends) for their first-ever show in Georgia. These guys are more than ready to party hard at noon. The energy they have on stage is insanely fun. Once the show ended, I couldn’t help but think “what a perfect way to kick off this weekend.”
12:45 p.m. – Tejon Street Corner Thieves
Then, we walk over to the Ponce De Leon Stage to catch Tejon Street Corner Thieves. Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect from this show. (Looking back on it, I still have no idea what I witnessed.) Tejon Street Corner Thieves gave the audience Americana galore, and they loved it. Much to my surprise, I also loved it. One of them was playing what they called a “washboard skateboard,” which is (get this) a skateboard with a washboard and cymbal attached to the bottom hanging around someone’s neck. There were so many songs about whiskey I lost count. Before ending their set, Tejon Street Corner Thieves ask the audience to circle dance and the audience quickly forms an oval in front of the stage and dances away. Perhaps the most unique act of the day?
1:30 p.m. – It’s been a long day already and having skipped breakfast, I am hungry. For lunch, we turn to the festival food stand, and today, we settle for chicken tenders and fries (at an exorbitant price I would never pay in any other scenario – except perhaps at the airport). The fries are so salty they burn my lips but I’m still happy to be here.
3:00 p.m. – After lunch, we decide we want to sit down and map out the rest of our afternoon and evening. We walk across the grounds and head towards the main stages. Right as we are about to walk away, the next act at the Peachtree Stage begins. A few seconds in, my boyfriend and I exchange a look that says “damn, this sounds good.” So, we sit on the hills that look out towards the Peachtree Stage and find out who it is that made this killer entrance. Turns out to be Noga Erez, an Israel-based electronic musician and producer.
After a few short minutes on the hill, we decide it’s too good and we must get closer. I am immediately glad we do. She looks up close as cool as she sounds from afar. She knows how to occupy the stage so well that I am shocked when she says this is the biggest stage she’s ever performed on. During her set, she covers Kenrick Lamar’s Black Friday and makes it entirely her own. I was surprised that such a small international artist on her first U.S. tour landed on the biggest stage, but whoever made that call behind the scenes at Shaky Knees knew what they were doing. It was clear from my surroundings and the reactions online that everyone who overheard Noga’s charismatic performance would return home and stream her songs (and I certainly did).
4:30 p.m. – The Cults have 15 minutes left on Zelle on Piedmont before the next act is up. I can hear them perform Always Forever in the background as I snack on some Oreos and search for the best place to sit for the next act I am excited to see.
4:45 p.m. – Dermot Kennedy
Like clockwork, Dermot Kennedy takes the Peachtree Stage as soon as the Cults fade out. He establishes a powerful presence immediately. His live performance sounds a lot more rock than his records, but the intensity remains the same. His voice is clear and strong. Enjoying his poetic lyrics with the warm Georgia-November sun shining down, sitting on the grassy hills, and a lively frisbee game happening on the field in front of me, the show was nothing short of perfect (but I might be biased).
5:45 p.m. – Dominic Fike is up next on Zelle on Piedmont. For the life of me, I could not figure out what genre this man was trying to convey, and I am not sure he knew either. When introducing his band, he very pointedly fawned over his “sexy ass drummer” who was “looking so good tonight.” This prompted my boyfriend to say, “this guy sounds like he wants to fuck his drummer.” And that’s really all I can recall from this show.
6:45 p.m. – St. Vincent
St. Vincent came prepared with an hour-long Broadway performance for her sunset show complete with a city backdrop, backup dancers in costumes, props, and spoken interludes. It was the most theatrical performance I had seen on the stage so far and incredibly fun to watch. Even from a distance, it was clear to me that she was a performer in every sense of the word, missing no details at all.
7:45 p.m. – Amigo the Devil
We left St. Vincent’s performance a couple of minutes early to catch the beginning of Amigo’s set over at the Ponce De Leon Stage, and it did not disappoint. The whole reason I wanted to be there was that I got the general vibe that he was very weird, and I needed to see him live. Amigo proved to be as theatrical as St. Vincent except that he was a one-man show – just a guy, his guitar, and his guitar pedalboard. It was violently graphic and humorous at the same time – perfect for a guy named Amigo the Devil. He fooled most of the audience with a slow take on the classic “Pina Colada Song” (not me though), sang (multiple) songs about murder, and dropped nuggets of wisdom like “life is like a sewer. You get out of it what you put in.” Remember when I called Tejon Street Corner Thieves the most unique act? Amigo definitely gives them a run for their money. I think it’s no coincidence they’re signed to Amigo’s label, though.
8:45 p.m. – The Foo Fighters
The weekend’s biggest headliner takes the stage right on time. We hang back for this one too but that’s because we know we’ll be fighting for that front-row seat tomorrow. The Foo Fighters are pros at this point and know how to work a crowd. Everyone is having a blast and it is a wonderful end to the first day of Shaky Knees 2021.
Post Animal Tour Diary: Shaky Knees 2018
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Psych rock six-piece Post Animal snagged a disposable camera from us to document their adventures at this year’s Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. Check out their photos below.
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Low key in the shadows.
Sun Seeker Tour Diary + Interview: Shaky Knees 2017
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Full. Chill. Mode. Three words that could describe Sun Seeker’s afternoon Shaky Knees set, our hang with these guys, their time enjoying the fest, and (last but not least) their music. Alex Benick (Vocals/Guitar), Asher Horton (Bass), Ben Parks (Drums), and Rodrigo Avenda (Keyboard) took some time to have a chat with us about what they have coming up this summer. Read all the details below and check out Sun Seeker’s Tour Diary from when they took one of our disposable cameras for a wild behind the scenes ride.
Vinyl Mag: Hey guys, so this is your first time at Shaky Knees?
Sun Seeker: It is! We love it. And to me it’s the best festival lineup of the summer.
VM: We definitely can agree on that. You guys just played today and had an awesome afternoon set. Is there anyone in particular you’re looking forward to seeing?
SS: We really enjoyed Courtney Barnett, David Byrne, Fleet Foxes yesterday. We’re excited about Parquet Courts, War on Drugs, we like Alvvays a lot. There’s just so much to remember…Also Post Animal tonight late night.
VM: I know you are about to start working on a new album…
SS: We are recording it in our hometown. I don’t know all the details I can share at this moment, but we can say that yes we are starting to record this summer.
VM: Do you have any other summer plans?
SS: That is all we’re really wanting to do and focus on that. We have some scattered festivals but it’s really that. We’ve been demoing a lot, Alex has been composing songs, and we have all been getting together a lot to write parts and figuring stuff out. That’s a really good head space for us to be in so we’re just going to be focusing for awhile.
VM: Well, we are looking forward to hearing what comes next from you guys. When it comes to your sound as a band, I’ve read quite a few times your music being called “Cosmic Americanna.” I did recently also read that you never stated that your music be labeled as such. So, in three words or less how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
SS: Chill, pretty, music. I’ll use music as one of the words to avoid any sort of confusion. It is music. Or at least what we know to be. You can get really conceptual about it. It could be spoken word.
Self aware earnestness.
We came for the whole weekend to just play the day. We are in full chill mode. Just like our music: Full. Chill. Mode.
Click through to see Sun Seeker’s disposable camera tour diary below!
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Daddy’s Dogs, our pre-game huddle.
Shaky Knees 2018: Frankie Rose x Vinyl Mag
It’s widely believed that keeping something wild in captivity will only cause it to wither. Frankie Rose might be the exception that rule.
A veteran songwriter who forged her rightful place in indie rock history with bands like Dum Dum Girls, Crystal Stilts and Vivian Girls, she now enjoys the artistic freedom that comes along with making music under her name alone. But despite having created no less than three full length albums on her own, Rose’s triumph over her own isolation is what’s fueling her most recent work.
After surviving personal difficulties that caused her to take a hiatus from music altogether, she was able to crawl her way back through the slow and deliberate reconstruction of her creativity. She set about creating something new from the closet of her cramped L.A. apartment, an endeavor she refers to as an “act of faith.” With careful reflection and a little help from the late paranormal radio host Art Bell, she was able to turn feelings of claustrophobia and insomnia into the inspiration for her latest record. Aptly named Cage Tropical, the album chronicles confinement in California to her journey home, both literally and artistically.
Rose is proudly back in her element these days, feeling inspired from touring and writing new music from her true home in Brooklyn. We caught up with her at Shaky Knees Music Festival to talk about homecomings, new beginning and breaking out of the cage.
Vinyl Mag: I know you’ve only just arrived to Shaky Knees, but is there anyone you’re excited to see?
Frankie Rose: I would love to have been here on Friday. Friday would have been the night for me because of Franz Ferdinand. I got to tour with them, and they’re my favorite people in the world. If I could have one job, it would be opening for Franz Ferdinand for the rest of my life.
VM: There are some constant themes in Cage Tropical about feeling trapped, running away and coming home. Was that your original concept for the album from the start?
FR: I started the album in LA, and I was feeling very trapped and claustrophobic there. When you start an album you can’t really see the end of the line; it’s just an act of faith. That’s how it started in my apartment in LA. I turned my closet into a vocal booth and was just acting on faith. I didn’t want to be in LA at all; I just wanted to be back in New York. I ended up finishing the album in New York, so it was kind of this journey back to my home. I feel like I had to go through a lot to realize what a home Brooklyn is for me.
VM:I think your story really resonates with most people. Sometimes you have to put dreams on pause because life happens. What advice would you give someone trying to step back into the music world after a hiatus?
FR: My mother says, “everyone gets a tumble in the dryer.” It can happen to anyone, I don’t care how rich you are or how poor you are. Life is hard and bad things happen sometimes. I really did have to step away from music for a while and I didn’t know if I was going to return it or not. Slowly, I tried to feed my creative side with other things like going to art museums or nature hikes. Just anything to sort of stimulate that part of yourself that encourages you want to make art. And I think as long as that’s your main motivation, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing. For me it’s music, and that’s what I’ve come to learn through that experience. I just want to make music regardless of what the outcome will be.
VM: How has the song writing process changed for you over the years from being in groups to going solo?
FR: I like it better, but I still collaborate. I can do it all myself, but I do love having someone to bounce ideas off of. It’s totally different from being in a band. When you’re in a band, you’re married and constantly making compromises. So the fact that I don’t have to do that is quite nice. It can also be bittersweet, because at the end of the day you are solely responsible for what you put out. It’s my name on that product. Actually, I think that’s my only regret, that I didn’t come up with some awesome pseudonym.
VM: We heard that science fiction was a big influence on this record?
FR: When I was making Cage Tropical, I became a bit of an insomniac, so I started listening to a lot of Art Bell at night to go to sleep. It just sort of subconsciously started to influence the album.
VM: What are your plans after tour?
FR: I’m writing a new album. Every record is like a time capsule for me. I just want to write a record where every song could be a single. I’m striving for perfection right now, and I feel inspired, which is great! Often times after tour that’s not the case, but it really is right now.
Charly Bliss Tour Diary: Shaky Knees 2018
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Last weekend, we handed off a disposable camera to Charly Bliss in order for them to document their full day at Atlanta’s beloved Shaky Knees Music Festival. The power pop quartet played Saturday afternoon at the Criminal Records Stage to a packed and mega-enthusiastic crowd. The setlist was comprised of mainly tracks from their 2017 debut triumph Guppy, though we were treated to a couple of new gems and one throwback from their 2014 Soft Serve EP. Takeaway: this band is a genuine joy to witness live, and we’re eager to hear and see more from them ASAP.
Check out the CB’s tour diary below, and be sure to catch them on tour. You won’t regret it.
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In our most natural state….watching Vanderpump Rules in the green room.
Great Peacock Tour Diary: Shaky Knees 2017
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We caught up with Frank Keith IV of Nashville’s Great Peacock at Shaky Knees Music Festival and asked him to document their weekend on a disposable camera. We learned that they are in love with Ryan Adams and free swag, and they have a helluva lot of friends.
Check out the gallery below, and be sure to head out to see them on their tour with The High Divers, kicking off tomorrow in Athens, GA.
5/31 – Athens, GA, Georgia Theater Rooftop
6/1 – Chattanooga, TN, Revelry Room
6/2 – Charlotte, NC, Visulite Theater
6/3 – Asheville, NC, New Mountain
6/4 – Birmingham, AL, Syndicate Lounge
6/6 – Tupelo, MS, Blue Canoe
6/7 – New Orleans, LA, Gasa Gasa
6/8 – San Antonio, TX, Sams Burger Joint
6/9 – Austin, TX, Swan Dive
6/10 – Dallas, TX, Gas Monkey(Matinee)
6/10 – Fort Worth, Main @ Southside
6/11 – Houston, TX, House of Blues*
6/16 – High Watt, Nashville, TN*
*w/Little Hurricane
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“Shaky Balloon” one of the many landmarks that made it EASY AF to find your friends.
Arkells Tour Diary: Shaky Knees 2017
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We handed a disposable camera (remember those?) to the members of Canadian rock band Arkells and asked them to document their day at Atlanta’s Shaky Knees Music Festival. Take a look at their shenanigans below, and be sure to catch them on tour like, right now. This is not a live performance you want to miss.
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On hot days, we are very good at finding the AC.
