The Psychedelic Pulse of Shaky Knees 2025
The Psychedelic Pulse of Shaky Knees 2025
Each year, Shaky Knees Festival brings a vibrant spectrum of rock to Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, from indie and punk to blues and psych. The festival’s stages stretch out across lush green lawns and winding pathways, surrounded by a backdrop of skyscrapers, making it a music lover’s oasis in the heart of the city.
Shaky Knees 2025 experience by Stephanie Heath
This year’s lineup featured major headliners like Deftones, My Chemical Romance, and Blink 182, but a few artists pulled the crowd into something stranger: a swirling, surreal zone of psychedelia.
These performers were the highlight of Shaky Knees’ psych rock side:
Mdou Moctar at Shaky Knees 2025 by Patrick Broderick
Mdou Moctar: Calm Chaos and Desert Storms
Mdou Moctar’s set felt like stepping into a swirling sandstorm of sound, chaotic and beautiful, unpredictable yet completely in control. Hailing from Niger, Africa, Mdou taught himself to play guitar on an instrument he built from bicycle brake cables and wood. He grew up in a place where secular music was met with suspicion, but that didn’t stop him from developing a one-of-a-kind sound rooted in Tuareg desert blues mixed with fuzzed-out psych rock. Seeing it live is nothing short of entrancing.
They opened with what felt like calm chaos, disjointed layers of rhythm pulling you lightly in different directions, blending together only to scramble apart again. At times, the music was hypnotic and airy, like a soft, refreshing desert wind. In other moments, it exploded into full-on headbanging chaos before slipping effortlessly into slow-motion.
The tempos were wild, with multiple time signatures happening at once, stacking and swirling around each other. Elements of surf rock glided in, like a surf rider on a magic carpet. Mdou Moctar’s set was otherworldly and transportive, a full sensory ride across an unknown terrain from dreams and storybooks.
Mdou Moctar “Sousoume Tamacheq” at Shaky Knees Festival
TV On The Radio promotional photo by Piper Ferguson
TV on the Radio: Mind-bending Art-Rock
TV on the Radio’s performance was one of the most sonically layered and immersive of the weekend, a kaleidoscopic mix of sound and emotion that pulled the crowd in and refused to let go.
Each song was rich with extra textures and unexpected shifts. “Golden Age” in particular stood out. This furiously funky psychedelic jam was anchored by spiraling guitar riffs that felt almost siren-like. The song ended with a scream that echoed into the sky, layered over what sounded like scratching vinyl or turntable fuzz, creating a frenzied, avant-garde energy.
“Could You” began with a mystical, world-music-style intro and morphed into chaotic horns and atmospheric guitar. “Repetition” started with an ambient, blue, almost underwater vibe. Then it lit up into a loud, ragged, and emotionally intense swirl of distortion.
Another highlight was “Staring at the Sun”, a smoky desert groove with ghostly layered vocals and a haunting energy. The experimental energy was captivating, creative, and unlike any of the other bands at the festival. They built an emotional soundscape complete enough to step inside.
TV On The Radio “Golden Age” 9/19/2025 Shaky Knees Festival
TV On The Radio rainbow at Shaky Knees 2025 by Redditor 828Ashby828
The Black Keys: Bluesy Southern Psychedelia
The Black Keys have been a powerhouse in genre-blending blues rock since their inception. Known for their raw garage sound and soulful energy, they weave psychedelic and swamp rock influences into their music, creating a distinctive blend that comes alive in their dynamic live performances.
Their performance of “Wild Child” carried a garage-rock swagger with a southern-fried, thunderous guitar riff that melted midway into a slow, creeping groove that felt heavy and hypnotic.
One of the most uplifting moments came with “Everlasting Light”, a gentle, feel-good groove featuring Johnny Marr (of The Smiths), who stepped in with a fluttering, ethereal solo that added a touch of magic.
The standout was easily “Weight of Love,” a slow-burning track with a rich 70s haze and long, soulful slide guitar chords. Its powerful, swelling sound carried clear echoes of Pink Floyd. Midway through, the song erupted into a full-blown guitar battle between Dan Auerbach and Barrie Cadogan (“Little Barrie”). The two traded licks like a heated conversation of guitars screaming, clashing, then finally dissolving into harmony.
“Little Black Submarines” started tender and acoustic, unfolding like a quiet confession. Halfway through, it erupted into a full-throttle finish that had the crowd roaring and headbanging. The lyrics carried a surreal weight, and the closing guitar work was raw and electrifying, drenched in psych-rock energy without ever losing its bluesy edge. The Black Keys’ entire performance pulsed with vibrant energy and they left a lasting impression as one of the best acts of the festival.
The Black Keys with Johnny Marr “Everlasting Light” at Shaky Knees Festival
The Black Keys at Shaky Knees Festival 2025 by Charles Reagan
The Final Chord
Shaky Knees 2025 was a journey through the many shades of rock. The psychedelic acts spanned a wide spectrum as well, from hypnotic desert blues and layered art-rock to gritty southern garage grooves. Mdou Moctar, TV on the Radio, and The Black Keys each brought their own unique twist to the psychedelic experience, reminding us that the genre’s rich diversity continues to evolve and inspire.
– Jessica Blue Smith
Shaky Knees 2025 aerial by Ismael Quintanilla III
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