Once again, thousands will gather for music, art, food and more. Here is the ultimate guide to becoming a pro at Atlanta’s Shaky Knees festival, a rock lover’s dream oasis.
The annual Shaky Knees music festival is going to shake up Atlanta May 3rd through 5th, bringing a stacked and diverse lineup for every genre under the sun. Located in Central Park, in Old Fourth Ward, they have the information you need and more from the festival map to an extremely detailed schedule. From the moment doors open at 11:30 am on Friday and close at 11, sticking to the same schedule for all three days except Sunday, has a curfew of 10 pm. Not to mention, they have lockers you can rent! When it comes to the vendors, they offer all types of gluten, vegan and vegetarian options. Don’t forget to check out their site for hotel bookings and late-night shows.
When it comes to any sort of festival these days, those at the top want to make sure everything goes smoothly and, more importantly, safely. Upon arriving at Shaky Knees, your bag will be checked and have to be clear if they are larger than 6” by 9.” If the bag is smaller, it can only have one pocket. We get how important your bag is, but trust us, you are going to be too entertained to even think to dig around in it. Also, it’s May in Atlanta, so hydration packs are allowed, but they have to be emptied before entering.
Kicking off the first weekend of May, and also the month we finally get a glimmer of summer, Song for Kids, an organization dedicated to providing music mentorship and interactive programs for disadvantaged children, will commence the festival with upcoming and well-known artists like Young the Giant sprinkled throughout the day. If you haven’t pondered Vermont in winter or your friends coming home at Christmas, then you might not be privy to the phenom that is Noah Kahan, a headliner for the first day. Continuing into Saturday and Sunday, you will hear from the likes of the Foo Fighters and Weezer, among other amazing artists. When the gates close, you can opt for a late-night show with several performances by Dexter and The Moonrocks and more.
If you are based in the Atlanta metro area, then you most likely know how to plan for traffic. There is a reason they tell you to get to the airport three hours early (or more). As mentioned before, they have all the resources online to help you if you need to crash in the city. You will find the entrance on the corner of Pine St. and Piedmont Ave. that will lead you right to the box office and the excitement of the day with multiple rideshare drop-offs and handicap-accessible stage viewing spaces. If you live near the festival, they have bike parking as well! And yes, there is a festival map to get you to the acts you paid for.
Everybody knows the only part about a festival you go for, besides the music, are the vendors. As mentioned before, they have all the allergy options. From Hattie B’s Hot Chicken and Arden’s Garden to Gu’s Dumplings and Wookiedogs, this festival has everything under the sun. Beyond the music, beverage vendors will be accessible throughout. Not to mention, if you return your cup and utilize the recycling system, you are put in the running for VIP ticket upgrades, festival cash and more!
F.U.N. Atlanta is bringing in the top artists of the moment to our southern city. For years, they have ensured a smooth sailing experience, so you don’t have to come prepared with anything. Except maybe lyrics and sunscreen! From your favorite indie rock, folk, country and alternative bands, there is a variety of flavors in the lineup. When you not rocking out to your favorite band, you can venture over to the multitude of activations they have. From fan interactions, brand booths and photops, you can fully immerse yourself in the Shaky Knees experience. So, once you have dissected the festival map and checked the weather, you are in for three days of music festival bliss.
Photography by: Unsplash
