Live Review: Shaky Knees Music Fest in Atlanta (Day 3), May 5, 2024

Since its inception in 2013, the Shaky Knees Music Fest in Atlanta has grown to one of the preeminent fests in the country. Founder Tim Sweetwood consistently books the best acts from around the globe and some of the finest up-and-coming bands deserving of some solid exposure.

This year was no different as Noah Kahan, Arcade Fire, Weezer, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Billy Idol, and many, many more descended upon Atlanta. Fans were up to the challenge – rain or shine – and sticking to tradition, Mother Nature did not disappoint (translation: it rained like hell).

Day 3 of the fest was loud, raucous, wet, and wild. Hey, there’s a lightning bolt right there in the Shaky Knees logo, for Chrissakes! As the proverbial clock struck 4:45, it hit. Not just a sprinkle, but an all-out downpour. Some fans went running to find cover (many under trees, if you can believe it) but many more toughed it out. As Dinosaur Jr. struck the first note of “Mountain Man,” the deluge dropped as if a million buckets emptied at once. Those fans did not budge. It was an awesome display of the power of live rock ‘n’ roll, and how much we wanted/needed it. As J Mascis sang, “I feel the pain of everyone…” from the covered stage, we weren’t really sure if that was genuinely from his heart. Their cover of The Cure‘s “Just Like Heaven” conquered, as expected.

New Zealand’s Fazerdaze was a nice surprise. When they told the crowd this was their first time playing together, it was a shock. They were tight and smooth. Singer Amelia Rahayu Murray is the heart of the dream pop ensemble who gained some fans in Atlanta this day.

For indie poppers Royel Otis, Shaky Knees was their first U.S. fest and their breakthrough gig in Atlanta, as well. Formed in Sydney, Australia by Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic, the band played an energetic and contagious set of songs from their newly released debut LP Pratts & Pain. The band gained international attention with their slick cover of the Sophie Ellis-Bextor hit “Murder on the Dancefloor.”

Straight outta London came glam rockers the Struts. And yes, the name is proper as lead singer Luke Spiller brought some righteous swagger to the South. At first glance/listen, flashbacks of Freddie Mercury come to mind watching Spiller, but reincarnation can be ruled out as he was three years old when the great one passed in 1991. A showman nonetheless, Spiller announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and everything in between…we are the Struts!”

Montreal’s Men I Trust performed a dreamy set, with singer Emmanuelle Proulx putting all at ease. A perfect vibe for a Sunday afternoon in Atlanta. With songs like “Show Me How” and “Oncle Jazz,” attempts to label their sound have been difficult. NPR called them electropop, which is as good as anything. Check them out here.

Waxahatchee (a.k.a. Katie Crutchfield) delivered an impassioned and thoughtful set. As the band lit into “3 Sisters,” the deluge struck (see Dinosaur Jr. above). Some fled for cover, others stayed with Katie. It turned out to be a soaking, but worth it for the memories. “Right Back to It,” “Crimes of the Heart,” and the title track to her latest release Tigers Blood were some of the highlights of the set.

The Sneering One came prepared for the thunder with his longtime sidekick and guitarist Steve Stephens. As expected, Billy Idol had it turned up to 11 and proved to the crowd he hasn’t lost a step since his nearly five decade career began back in the 70s. Idol has really never missed a beat and at 68-years-young is experiencing a resurrection of sorts with the recent 40th anniversary expanded edition release of his powerhouse second album Rebel Yell.

But the night would kick off with his first stab at fame with “Dancing With Myself,” from his early Generation X days. It was a bold shot from the cannon and the fans agreed as they sang along and danced in the puddle/pond from the recent downpour. Idol’s excitement frequently fired up the crowd, as he exclaimed during this song, “Shaky Knees, Atlanta! Come on!” The artist formerly known as William Broad instructed the crowd, “Don’t mess with the do, baby” after the “Rebel Yell” line, “Well he’s out all night to collect a fare / Just as long, just as long it don’t mess up his hair.”

The set list also included such classics as “White Wedding – Pt. 1,” “Mony Mony,” “Eyes Without a Face,” and the title track from the 2022 Cage EP, which is surprisingly sharp. Idol remains vital in the 21st century, unlike many of his contemporaries. For tour and other info, check out his website.

Foo Fighters headlined closing night and stuck to their reputation of consistently leaving everything on the field. This show was no different as Dave Grohl and the gang kicked it all off with the fiery “All My Life” from the band’s 2002 album One By One. The mass of humanity crowding the mainstage proves Shaky Knees has become a major contender in the music festival competition around the country. Atlanta’s first long-running music fest, Music Midtown, recently announced they are going on hiatus this fall.

Foo Fighters did their best to make SK24 the best fest in the Southeast – if not the U.S. – as they closed out the weekend. Grohl’s band includes longtime collaborator Pat Smear as well as Josh Freese, who replaced the late, great Taylor Hawkins last year. Freese had big shoes to fill and it appears he’s doing that. “Aurora” was played in honor of Hawkins. This was apparently his favorite song from the band. During “Monkey Wrench,” Freese used his solo time to rip into a snippet of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.” He is a phenomenal musician and a perfect fit for the band. That tune also had Grohl recognizing an Evel Knievel look-alike in the audience, leading him into an interesting story about recording Nevermind with Nirvana at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys back in 1991.

As the touring sextet is known to do during Grohl’s band introductions and mini-solos, a medley of favorites are strewn together. On this Sunday evening, fans heard brief renditions of “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys, Ramones‘ “Blitzkrieg Bop,” DEVO‘s “Whip It,” and Nine Inch Nails‘ “March of the Pigs.” The band played a nice balance from eleven studio albums covering nearly three decades. But it’s their live shows that continue to keep fans coming back.

For the complete Shaky Knees 2024 setlists, click HERE.