Shaky Knees Music Fest at Masquerade Music Park (Historic Fourth Ward Park) in Atlanta, May 5, 2013 (Day 2)

The inaugural Shaky Knees Music Festival, brainchild of Tim Sweetwood, may have appeared to have gotten off to a rocky start. Luckily, despite the unsavory weather conditions, the rain-soaked terrain, and frigid temps, that was not the case. 

The Historic Fourth Ward Park along with the newly minted Masquerade Music Park (on the grounds of the longstanding Masquerade venue in downtown Atlanta) would host Shaky Knees’ first season. Day 2 was impressive. Kurt Vile and the Violators, Shovels & Rope, and Delta Spirit were a few of the afternoon highlights known well by adoring fans braving the elements.

As the day wore on and the weather got meaner, Philly’s Dr. Dog took to the O4W Park Stage. Touring in support of their latest studio album Be The Void, the band revved up the crowd with such faves as “That Old Black Hole,” “Lonesome,” and “Stranger.” And what can only be summed up as the bane of music fest-goers’ existence, a couple of great bands were playing simultaneously. It’s happened to us all and will never not happen to us all.  Drive-By Truckers hit the Masquerade MP Stage while The Antlers took to the North Ave. Stage, both at 7:00. Actually, this is a good problem to have. Too many great bands.

The Drive-By Truckers – the Muscle Shoals band transplanted to Athens, GA – always dig deep leaving 1,000% on the stage. They opened the set with a scathing “Get Downtown” and never looked back. Considered locals, the Truckers had a legion of diehard fans who would have stood in the muck for a week listening to their firebrand of Southern rock. Brooklyn indie rockers The Antlers simultaneously kicked off their show across the way with “Drift Dive” and a few other faves, solidly setting up the final act of SK13.

Headliners The Lumineers took to the O4W Park Stage, playing from 8:30-11:00. It was a great set, which could not be offset by the worsening dark, cold, wet, and muddy conditions. The Denver band had just risen to commercial and critical success with their self-titled debut album. The band adroitly launched into CCR’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” moving onto fan faves included “Ho Hey,” “Submarines,” and “Stubborn Love.” As the absent sun set, the inaugural Shaky Knees Music Fest came to an end but began something great.