Shaky Knees Festival 2025: Day 2 Review + Massive Photo Gallery

Day 2 of Shaky Knees Festival 2025 landed right in the sweet spot of the weekend. Saturday felt fully settled in – crowds confident, schedules locked, sunscreen applied early. This year’s move to Piedmont Park brought a noticeably different energy. Wide open lawns, shaded pockets under massive trees, and the Midtown skyline hovering in the background made the festival feel more expansive and relaxed than years past. It felt like Shaky Knees grew up a bit without losing its heart.

Shaky Knees has always balanced legacy acts with newer voices, and Saturday leaned hard into that strength. Early sets rolled out with scrappy indie energy and emotional punch. Those early hours are where Shaky Knees really shines – finding your next favorite band while the day is still young.

As the afternoon heated up, the energy followed. They don’t call Atlanta “Hotlanta” for nothing. I was wondering how the switch from May to September would affect the weather and it was still blazing (exactly how a music festival should be, IMO!) By mid-day, Piedmont Park was buzzing – people sprawled on blankets, darting between stages, and locking in their spots for the evening runs.

As night fell, all eyes turned toward the headliner. My Chemical Romance closed out Saturday with a full-throttle, emotionally charged set that felt like pure release. They performed from their legendary album, The Black Parade, but it wasn’t just nostalgia driving the moment. The songs still hit hard, and hearing them ring out across Piedmont Park felt huge in the best possible way.

I feel like I almost have to apologize for the ginourmous photo album below. I started with thousands and managed to get it down to just under 200. It was a really fun day for me as a photographer and as a fan of music, so I just couldn’t cut any further. Hope you enjoy them!

Shaky Knees Bands I Covered on Saturday

Die Spitz

Austin’s Die Spitz are part of the new wave of punk bands bringing grit and urgency back to the forefront. Their fast, confrontational sound and fearless delivery made for an explosive early-day set that snapped the crowd to attention and set the tone for the afternoon. This is a band I have had on my list to photo for a while and they did not disapoint!

CMAT

CMAT blends country-tinged pop with sharp humor and emotional honesty, creating songs that feel deeply personal and wildly relatable. Her Shaky Knees set balanced big personality with quiet vulnerability, pulling listeners in with clever lyrics and undeniable charm. Between songs, her candid storytelling made the whole performance feel intimate despite the massive crowd. Go see her if you can, you will not be disapointed.

The Linda Lindas

The Linda Lindas are a young punk band who’ve quickly earned a reputation for sharp songwriting and fearless performances. Their set was fast, fun, and full of confidence, radiating joy while still hitting with plenty of bite. Watching the crowd react to their energy was a reminder that punk is alive, loud, and in very good hands.

The Beaches

Toronto rock band The Beaches specialize in hook-heavy, guitar-driven songs with a confident, modern edge. Their set felt polished but loose, packed with attitude and infectious energy that made them a standout of the day. It was also guitarist Leandra Earl’s birthday, so fans were exuberant in sending her big kisses and best wishes.

Johnny Marr

Johnny Marr is one of the most influential guitarists of my generation, known for shaping the sound of alternative music through his time with The Smiths, his solo work, and his extensive collaborations with heavy hitters across every spectrum of music. His Shaky Knees set showcased shimmering riffs and impeccable musicianship, proving just how timeless those melodies still are. For me, this set felt deeply personal – a reminder of just how much his work with The Smiths shaped the way I hear and love music.

All-American Rejects

The All-American Rejects have been soundtracking teenage angst and pop-rock radio for more than two decades. Their Saturday set leaned fully into those era-defining hits, turning Piedmont Park into a massive, joyful sing-along from start to finish. As you can see in the photos, it felt like the whole festival was there to see their set!

Cage the Elephant

Cage the Elephant are known for their unpredictable live shows and genre-blurring rock sound. At Shaky Knees, they delivered a high-octane performance packed with movement, chaos, and raw intensity that felt tailor-made for a big festival stage. Not to mention the gigantic pyrotechnics! It was fun, sweaty, loud, and impossible to look away from.

My Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance closed out Saturday with a performance of The Black Parade, their landmark concept album that defined a generation of fans. The set was theatrical, emotional, and overwhelmingly communal, turning Piedmont Park into one massive chorus under the night sky.

Shaky Knees 2025 Photo Gallery: Day Two

Photos displayed in random order. Click any thumbnail for a larger version. Then use the navigation arrows (or your keyboard arrow keys) to move left and right through the photographs.

See all our other Shaky Knees coverage!