Strokes, Gorillaz to Headline 2026 Shaky Knees Festival

Packed lineup features rock, punk, and hip-hop acts in Atlanta's Piedmont Park

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The 2026 Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta has announced its lineup, with the Strokes, Gorillaz, and Twenty One Pilots set to headline the three-day event running September 18-20 at Piedmont Park. The festival will also feature performances from Wu-Tang Clan, Pavement, Turnstile, Fontaines D.C., and many more acts spanning rock, punk, and hip-hop.

Why it matters

Shaky Knees is one of the Southeast's premier music festivals, drawing large crowds and high-profile acts to Atlanta each year. The diverse 2026 lineup caters to a wide range of music fans and showcases the festival's ability to secure top-tier talent across multiple genres.

The details

The Strokes will headline night one on Friday, September 18, while Twenty One Pilots top the bill on Saturday, September 19. Gorillaz will close out the festival on Sunday, September 20. Other notable acts include Wu-Tang Clan, Pavement, Turnstile, Fontaines D.C., Geese, Pierce the Veil, the Prodigy, Taking Back Sunday, LCD Soundsystem, Modest Mouse, and Japanese Breakfast.

  • The 2026 Shaky Knees Festival will take place September 18-20 in Atlanta's Piedmont Park.
  • Presale tickets for the festival will go on sale on February 26, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET.
  • The Strokes, Gorillaz, and Twenty One Pilots are set to headline the festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, respectively.

The players

The Strokes

An American rock band formed in New York City in 1998, known for their influential indie rock sound.

Gorillaz

A virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, blending elements of rock, pop, hip-hop, electronica, and world music.

Twenty One Pilots

An American musical duo formed in Columbus, Ohio in 2009, known for their unique blend of alternative, pop, and hip-hop.

Shaky Knees Festival

An annual music festival held in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring a diverse lineup of rock, indie, and alternative acts.

Piedmont Park

A 189-acre public park located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, which has hosted the Shaky Knees Festival since its inception.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to be headlining Shaky Knees this year. Atlanta has always been a special place for us to play, and we can't wait to bring our live show to Piedmont Park.”

— Julian Casablancas, Lead singer of The Strokes (Rolling Stone)

“Shaky Knees has become one of the must-attend festivals for music fans in the Southeast, and we're honored to be a part of this year's lineup. Gorillaz is looking forward to closing out the festival with a career-spanning set.”

— Damon Albarn, Co-founder of Gorillaz (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

Presale tickets for the 2026 Shaky Knees Festival will go on sale on February 26, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET. A public on-sale will follow if any tickets remain.

The takeaway

The diverse and high-profile lineup for the 2026 Shaky Knees Festival solidifies the event's status as one of the premier music festivals in the Southeast, catering to a wide range of rock, punk, and hip-hop fans and continuing to draw top-tier talent to Atlanta's Piedmont Park.