In the heart of Atlanta, Shaky Knees is in its fourth year. The festival kicked off on a Friday, and despite the potential forecast for rain, the weekend was perfect for a festival. This was my first time attending Shaky Knees, despite it being in my hometown. I was enthusiastic about the lineup as it offered a wide range of indie artists. Top of my list to see were The XX, Sylvan Esso and of course Bowling Green locals, Cage the Elephant.
The artists of the weekend did not disappoint. One of the greatest parts of Shaky Knees is their dedication to their roots. The festival’s lineup remained stacked with alternative rock artists, just as it had in years past. While watching the various sets, you could feel how much the bands and artists enjoyed performing. That feeling has always been one of my favorite reasons for watching live music. After semesters of playing Sylvan Esso on WRFL, seeing her perform live was one of my favorite aspects of the weekend. The crowds were excited about who they were seeing, and everywhere I looked I was met with a smile of other attendees enjoying the weekend.
A bonus of the weekend was how well organized and designed the festival was. The three stages were easily navigated to where you could get to the next act quickly, as well as there were water stations located in between the stages to make sure you stayed hydrated throughout the warm weekend. The food trucks were all located in one central area, giving every attendee the opportunity to support local businesses within the festival.
Overall, the festival was the perfect way to kick off summer in Atlanta. The weekend celebrated the talent of alternative music and served as a reminder that live music is one of the best ways to bring people together.