Rock Legends Unite: Shaky Knees 2025 Bridges Generation Gap
Max Sterling, 2/26/2025Shaky Knees 2025 is serving up a deliciously eclectic rock feast, with My Chemical Romance, Deftones, and Blink-182 leading a lineup that reads like alternative music's greatest hits compilation come to life. Piedmont Park's new digs and September dates suggest this festival isn't just shaking knees – it's raising eyebrows.
Atlanta's beloved Shaky Knees Music Festival is pulling out all the stops for its 12th edition, assembling a powerhouse lineup that reads like a time capsule of alternative rock's greatest hits — with a decidedly modern twist. The 2025 festival, relocating to the sprawling grounds of Piedmont Park and shifting to a September 19-21 timeline, has managed to capture lightning in a bottle with a trio of headliners that spans multiple generations of rock rebellion.
My Chemical Romance, Deftones, and Blink-182 — each a titan in their own right — will command the main stage across three nights of what promises to be a sonic assault on the senses. It's a bold programming choice that speaks to the festival's understanding of rock's evolving landscape, where genre boundaries have become increasingly fluid.
The supporting lineup is equally impressive — a carefully curated mixture of legacy acts and cutting-edge talent that makes this year's roster feel like a masterclass in musical cross-pollination. From Lenny Kravitz's timeless swagger to Vampire Weekend's intellectual pop, the festival offers a rich tapestry of sounds that refuses to be confined to a single genre or era.
Perhaps most intriguing is the inclusion of acts like Public Enemy and "Weird Al" Yankovic (billed as a "special guest") — choices that demonstrate the festival's willingness to color outside the lines of traditional rock festival booking. The presence of newer forces like Wet Leg and The Marias alongside veterans such as the Pixies and the reunited 4 Non Blondes creates an intergenerational dialogue that feels both fresh and nostalgic.
The decision to relocate from Central Park to Piedmont Park — Atlanta's crown jewel of green spaces — signals a significant evolution for Shaky Knees. This venue change, coupled with the seasonal shift from May to September, suggests a festival that's not content to rest on its laurels but is actively seeking to enhance the audience experience.
For those keeping score, this year's lineup represents a significant departure from the 2024 edition, which featured Noah Kahan, Weezer, and Foo Fighters at the helm. While last year's festival certainly delivered its share of memorable moments, the 2025 iteration seems poised to tap into something more primal — a celebration of rock music's ability to simultaneously honor its past while pushing toward its future.
The festival's organizers have orchestrated a delicate balance of nostalgia and innovation. Night one will see Deftones supported by acts like Idles and Spoon, while night two pairs My Chemical Romance with The Backseat Lovers and TV on the Radio. The final night culminates with Blink-182, preceded by an eclectic mix including Wet Leg and Franz Ferdinand.
Pre-sale tickets launch February 27 at 10 a.m. ET, with public sales to follow — assuming any tickets remain after what's likely to be a frenzied initial offering. Given the strength of this lineup, waiting for the general sale might prove to be a risky strategy for fans hoping to secure their spot at what's shaping up to be one of 2025's most compelling music events.
