Twenty One Pilots to Headline 2026 Shaky Knees Festival

The Strokes and Gorillaz also lead the bill for the Atlanta music festival.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Twenty One Pilots have been announced as the headliners for the 2026 Shaky Knees Music Festival, taking place September 18-20 in Atlanta. The Strokes and Gorillaz will also lead the festival's lineup, which includes acts like Turnstile, Pierce the Veil, Fontaines D.C., LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, and more.

Why it matters

The Shaky Knees Music Festival is one of the premier music events in the Southeast, drawing thousands of fans to Atlanta each year. Securing Twenty One Pilots as the headliner is a major coup for the festival, as the band has become one of the biggest acts in alternative rock over the past decade.

The details

The 2026 Shaky Knees Music Festival will take place from September 18-20 in Atlanta. In addition to Twenty One Pilots, the festival's headliners include The Strokes and Gorillaz. The rest of the lineup features a mix of established acts like Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, and Jimmy Eat World, as well as rising stars like Turnstile, Fontaines D.C., and Violet Grohl.

  • The 2026 Shaky Knees Music Festival will take place September 18-20.
  • Presale tickets will go on sale on Thursday, February 24 at 9 a.m. ET.
  • Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public after the presale.

The players

Twenty One Pilots

An American musical duo that has become one of the biggest alternative rock acts of the past decade, known for hits like "Stressed Out" and "Heathens".

The Strokes

An American rock band that emerged in the early 2000s and helped define the post-punk revival sound, known for songs like "Last Nite" and "Reptilia".

Gorillaz

A virtual band created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, blending elements of rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music, known for hits like "Feel Good Inc." and "Clint Eastwood".

Shaky Knees Music Festival

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

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to have Twenty One Pilots headlining Shaky Knees this year. They're one of the biggest draws in alternative music right now, and we know their fans are going to bring an incredible energy to the festival.”

— Tim Sweetwood, Founder, Shaky Knees Music Festival (Shaky Knees Festival website)

What’s next

Presale tickets for the 2026 Shaky Knees Music Festival will go on sale this Thursday, February 24 at 9 a.m. ET. Any remaining tickets will then be available to the general public.

The takeaway

The 2026 Shaky Knees Music Festival is shaping up to be one of the must-attend events of the year, with a stacked lineup headlined by some of the biggest names in alternative and indie rock. Fans will want to act fast to secure tickets during the presale.