Shaky Knees Music Festival kicks off their 2019 fest this Friday, May 3rd in Atlanta’s Central Park for the second year in a row. In March we wrote about the biggest wins for each day of this year’s festival. Now it’s the week of, the full schedule is out, and all that’s left is plan your moves for each day.
Biggest Wins on Shaky Knees 2019 Upcoming Day 1? HERE
Biggest Wins on Shaky Knees 2019 Upcoming Day 2? HERE
Biggest Wins on Shaky Knees 2019 Upcoming Day 3? HERE
Now comes the tough part. There are plenty of artists we deemed “wins” who are playing at the same time. Beyond even those we previously mentioned, there are plenty more artists playing the same time slots that are tough calls to make on which to catch. Below are the toughest choices we are struggling with for SK19, tell us with your vote which one is your pick for that time slot, then our editor/ photographer for this weekend, will make the current OE pick between the two (but there will be plenty of sprinting between sets):
SK19 Toughest Decisions
The Joy Formidable vs. IDLES
OE PICK: IDLES
The Joy Formidable have really built a solid career with songs like 2011’s “Whirring” that already feel like indie rock classics. They are a band that seems tailor made for outdoor festivals, and they’ve rocked plenty of them over the years with their stadium sized jams. But this time slot is definitely going to the young Bristol punks IDLES. While IDLES only released their debut album in 2017, with a sophomore follow up in 2018, this is a punk rock band who’s reputation is quickly preceding them all over the world. IDLES is going to be a much needed intense rage at SK, and if you didn’t get tickets to their Friday Late Night Show at The EARL with FONTAINES D.C. (another great up and coming punk band), then the Ponce Stage is the place to be.
Tears For Fears vs. Yellow Days
OE PICK: Tears For Fears
Ok some may look at this and think: easy. Or you may even be asking who this Yellow Days is? Yellow Days is George van den Broek out of Manchester, UK who makes soul filled indie rock. While gaining early internet success through streaming platforms like Soundcloud, Yellow Days has released two full length albums with his singular sound. The songs are part soul and part funk for a uniquely modern take on retro sounds that just groove. So yeah, I was definitely looking forward to catching that set.
But then again it’s 2019 and I’ve learned by now to cherish the opportunities to catch legendary type artists when they arise. And let’s just say I’ve also learned that when those type artists play their major hits at Shaky Knees, well those are sets that are like no other throughout the weekend. “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, yeah that’s going to be glorious.
Interpol vs. Soccer Mommy
OE PICK: Interpol
This may be another surprise to some, but don’t sleep on Soccer Mommy. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sophie Allison is a powerful young female voice taking the indie rock world by storm. Equal parts confrontational and vulnerable, Soccer Mommy should put on a stellar and emotional set as the sun sets. But at this point Interpol are indie rock legends as they were a big part of the post-punk revival in New York in the early 2000’s. 2002’s Turn on the Bright Lights is a classic and they’ve continued their acclaim over 5 albums since including 2018’s Marauder. With a new EP on the way (A Fine Mess due May 17th via Matador Records), the boys vigorous force is going to be a hit again at the festival. You really can’t go wrong here.
The Dandy Warhols vs. Gary Clark Jr.
OE PICK: Gary Clark Jr.
The Dandy Warhols are one of those bands that feel like they’ve sort of been around forever doing their thing with wild live shows and album after album of alt-rock mixing everything from psych rock, power pop, synthpop and more. And I guess they have sort of been around forever, 1995 was their debut album. The Dandy Warhols set could possibly be the more “energetic” and wild of these two.
At this point in his still young career, Gary Clark Jr. is already a modern day blues guitar legend, which certainly will bring his own “energy”. This February though, Gary released his latest album This Land, which is probably his first album in which his lyrics are more powerful than his guitar, which says a lot. Gary Clark Jr. has something to say and this is a set not to miss.
Foals vs. Deerhunter
OE PICK: Deerhunter
Honestly this is probably the hardest time slot to pick throughout the whole weekend. I don’t want to miss either set, at all. Foals, out of the UK, have built themselves into one of the world’s best modern day rock bands over their five albums, including Everything Not Saved Wil Be Lost – Part 1 released in March, plus the upcoming Fall release of their sixth album Part 2. Really though it’s their energetic live shows that have put Foals on the map, and we’ve seen it before at Shaky Knees. It’s hard to pass on what you know is going to be an absolutely killer set where you will dance and let euphoria loose to Foals.
But alas, if I can only pick one, it’s got to be Deerhunter. First of all the band is an Atlanta band and I’d like to support the locals. In fact they’ve set the standard for experimental indie rock in Atlanta over the past 15 years or so while expanding their audience worldwide. The band’s art rock sound is ever changing over their eight studio albums, including their latest released in January: Why Hasn’t Everything Disappeared?, meaning they can play one of the most unique and varied sets of the festival. They could do everything from a more ambient rock to post grunge throughout their set, and if they choose to focus more from their newest album’s more experimental pop sound, then great. These songs are ready. This is going to be good, and you never know what frontman Bradford Cox is going to do. Let’s get weird SK.
Maggie Rogers vs. Tyler Childers
OE PICK: Maggie Rogers
This is a tough one. Opposite end of the spectrums: Maggie Rogers more pop while Tyler Childers is more classic country. Both should be really good. Maggie Rogers is on an upward path with the arrow pointing straight up these days. In January she just released her debut album, Heard It In A Past Life, after initially being found in a viral video of Pharrell Williams discovering her surfaced in 2016. Rogers has crafted her own unique version of modern pop while taking from the greats of the past that is sure to gain the audiences attention at Shaky Knees. This is music you just want to flow in the breeze to as the sun sets.
Tyler Childers on the other hand will bring a more straightforward set of roots music that’s sure to be powerful. Mixing country, bluegrass and more into a throwback Americana sound with an Outlaw attitude, Childers will have the booming, rough voice that could carry across the Central Park grounds and stop you right in your tracks. Tyler Childers is the type of artist that can blow you away with just his vocals and words, which is what makes this such a tough choice. Both artists in each their own way could be the perfect set as the early May sun sets over the festival, just before we all get our minds blown by Tame Impala.
Other Tough Decisions at SK19
Liz Phair vs. The Black Lips
OE PICK: Black Lips
Incubus vs Foxing
OE PICK: Incubus
The Struts vs. Pedro the Lion
OE PICK: Pedro the Lion
Fidlar vs. Japanese Breakfast
OE PICK: Japanese Breakfast
HONNE vs. The Murlocs
OE PICK: The Murlocs
Phosphorescent vs. Calpurnia
OE PICK: Phosphorescent
Easiest Choices This SK19? No Questions Asked, Be There
Low Cut Connie – Friday, 1:25pm @ Ponce Stage
Curtis Harding – Friday, 2:10pm @ Peachtree Stage
Sharon Van Etten – Friday, 3:40pm @ Peachtree Stage
Tash Sultana – Friday, 5:25pm @ Peachtree Stage
Oh Sees – Friday, 6:25pm @ Ponce Stage
Julia Jacklin – Saturday, 12:45pm @ Peachtree Stage
Natalie Prass – Saturday, 2:15pm @ Criminal Records Stage
Jade Bird – Saturday, 3:00pm @ Ponce Stage
Jim James – Saturday, 4:30pm @ Piedmont Stage
The Nude Party – Sunday, 12:30pm @ Piedmont Stage
Rayland Baxter – Sunday, 1:15pm @ Peachtree Stage
Lucy Dacus – Sunday, 2:45pm @ Criminal Records Stage
Tickets for Shaky Knees Music Festival 2019 are on sale now. 3-Day General Admission tickets are $189, while 1-Day General Admission tickets are $99. Purchase tickets here.
