After a memorable start with their day one of the 2023 festival and 10 year celebration, Shaky Knees returned for day two of its packed weekend. Day two similarly to day one was full of incredible acts throughout the day. However, some of the highlights from the second day at Atlanta’s Central Park were the acts that I discovered rather than the ones I had circled on the schedule. Read the review of day two at Shaky Knees below.
Wilderado
Friend of the show, Wilderado graced the Piedmont stage on Saturday. They’ve appeared on our podcast, we have reviewed their sold-out show in New York City, and now saw them stretch beyond the intimate Bowery Ballroom to filling the fields in front of the stage. A lot of fans were buzzing to see the Oklahoma-based band. They kicked off their set with ‘Strangers’ and built excitement with ‘Astronaut’ and ‘Morning Light’ next. In the two times that I have seen Wilderado live I’ve been impressed by their performance. The band is electric and their set has a touch of an ethereal vibe to it. Impressive guitar riffs carried over the Georgia park. The group has the outstanding ability to perform like a high-caliber rock outfit to the more indie rock group. Standing at the Piedmont stage again reminded me of the sheer hits that the band plays.
Suki Waterhouse
It’s been a big year for Suki Waterhouse. The model-turned actress continues to create waves in the music industry becoming one of its rising stars. Her 2022 single ‘Good Looking’ continues to climb the charts as one of the biggest songs in the world after catching waves on the internet. Fitting, Waterhouse began her set with ‘Bullshit on the Internet.’ Her voice was both silky and enchanting. She had the festival crowd wrapped around her finger in front of the Peachtree stage. The main stage at the festival and Waterhouse proved that she deserved to be on that stage with a stellar performance. It was another moment where you saw an internet trend with her song ‘Good Looking’ create a special moment with the crowd. One of the beautiful things that happens with these trending sounds is connect to an audience. On Saturday at Shaky Knees Suki Waterhouse connected an entire crowd of fans with her beautiful and silky vocals and arrangements.
Futurebirds
When I wrote about Saturday at Shaky Knees being a day for discovery, one of the acts that I was talking about was the Atlanta-based rock outfit Futurebirds. They owned every second of their set. There wasn’t a single lull. I quickly learned why Rolling Stone dubbed them “the most captivating rock act touring today.” The band prides themselves in community, and you feel that among the group that bolsters the vocals from each member. They’re incredibly in sync. I became an instant fan and haven’t been able to get enough of their set. ‘Rodeo’ kicked off the set. It was my favorite of their performance. Their sound is incredible that while live I didn’t realize the depth of their lyrics, but upon listening post-festival realize they carry a power in the vulnerable and raw lyrics. I really appreciate the authenticity and realness from the band. You also feel that they just love doing what they do and doing it together in their live act and it created an incredible experience for the festival crowd. I couldn’t recommend the band enough.
Tenacious D
I knew that Tenacious D had a cult-like following prior to Shaky Knees. I had an appreciation for their music and humor for years but never had experienced a Tenacious D live show and now things will never be the same. I’ve written a more in-depth review of the show that you can read here, but long story short I think I joined a cult at Shaky Knees after the performance by the D! Their set had everything. Laughs, rock, solos, skits, crazy stage design, and even pyrotechnics. If you have a chance to see Tenacious D on their Spicy Meatball tour, DO NOT MISS IT.
Muse
Seeing Muse as the festival headliner was a festival. Matt Bellamy proved every reason why he is called one of the best guitarists ever. It was a spectacle. I do think his set was the antithesis of the Tenacious D set that I flowed from. I floated away from Tenacious D to the festivals main stage where I could recognize Muse as an incredible act and performance but found myself missing some of the fun and engagement from the previous set. It was polar opposites and I found it hard to transition back to the Muse live performance, but was grateful for the opportunity to see an iconic band live.
