Shaky Knees 2016 must-see acts!

The Shaky Knees Music Festival descends upon Centennial Olympic Park May 13-15, hosting three days of performances by legendary and up-and-coming acts alike. From the harmony and drift of Saintseneca and Slowdive to the lo-fi sounds of Diet Cig, and heavy rock of elder statesmen Deftones, it’s a weekend of music and sun on Downtown’s favorite greenspace. With so many acts spread across five stages, prioritizing who to catch and who to skip can be a juggling act. This week, Creative Loafing’s music scribes weigh in with their top picks.

Harmony-driven, foot-stomping Saintseneca came up alongside punk bands at house shows in Columbus, Ohio, making big noise with little amplification. Inspired by songwriter Zac Little’s Appalachian roots, the group’s energy on stage is palpable, driven by lyrics that weave gripping narratives with each new song. Fri., May 13, 1 p.m. Ponce de Leon Stage. — Dacey Orr

British slowcore band Slowdive has been a cult favorite for more than two decades, best known for the group’s 1993 opus Souvlaki. The group’s music received sparse critical acclaim upon release, but has become a sensation in recent years. After a nearly 20-year hiatus, the band reunited in 2014. As the sun sets on Friday night, the group will serenade the gently swaying masses with its classic noisy guitars and effects pedals. Fri., May 13, 8:15 p.m. Ponce de Leon Stage. — Meagan Mastriani

The experimental instrumental excursions that define All Them Witches’ latest album, Dying Surfer Meets His Maker, won praise far beyond the band’s hometown of Nashville. The group’s songs reinvent themselves with each new show. Now, back from a string of dates abroad, expect nothing short of aural innovation from this psych-rock quartet. Fri., May 13, 8:15 p.m. Buford Highway Stage. — DO

The first thing that stands out about Hop Along is powerhouse Francis Quinlan’s raspy and dynamic vocals. Her growling voice delivers witty and insightful lyrics, telling stories of bitterness and desperation, accompanied by grungy guitars and folk-meets-punk rock vibes. Hop Along’s 2012 debut, Get Disowned, shows the band firing on all cylinders. The audience will probably be most excited to hear the brilliant single “Tibetan Pop Stars” and howl along to biting lines like “I’m gonna be creeping on you so hard.” Sat., May 14, 1:45 p.m. Piedmont Stage. — MM

Noah Gundersen’s Carry the Ghost is a mixed bag, but concertgoers should tune in based on the strength of his debut LP, Ledges. The Washington-based singer/songwriter brings twangy, folk-tinged acoustics and a keen sense of poetics together for some truly inspired songwriting. Sat., May 14, 3:15 p.m. Piedmont Stage. — Alex Kugaczewski

Shakey Graves’ sound has evolved since Alejandro Rose-Garcia released his Donor Blues debut EP. The early stuff’s dreamy Americana virtue has been replaced with rollicking Southern melodies, bohemian guitar riffs, and sexy belts kissed with just the right amount of grit and gravel. Much like his latest album, And the War Came, the vibes at Shakey Graves’ shows range from wistful to positively effervescent. The dude knows how to get boots a’stompin. Pair that with his inexhaustible charisma, hilarious between-song banter, and disarming Texas charm and you’ve got all the makings for one of the weekend’s most compelling performances. Sat., May 14, 3:45 p.m., Ponce de Leon Stage. — Stephanie Dazey

On Irreal, Disappears offer up tension-filled songs that pummel with vice grip precision and no release in sight. It’s a beautiful, dreamlike sound that makes your nerves jump with anticipation. An electrifying live band, this Shaky Knees after show will jolt you back to life after a sun-soaked day. With Explosions in the Sky. Sold out. Sat., May 14, 11 p.m. Variety Playhouse. — Billy Mitchell

Montreal-based Ought knows how boring — and yet how beautiful — modern life can be. To listen to the band’s songs is to confront the droning monotony of the everyday, to break it apart piece by piece, and finally to bust loose in a cathartic explosion of sound. Sick of mindless chitchat? Tired of bland condos popping up on every corner? Need to let go and dance with reckless abandon among a bunch of strangers? Start off Sunday at this show. Sun., May 15, 12:45 p.m. Peachtree Stage. — MM

Without even a full-length album to its name, Diet Cig’s bio accurately describes its sound as “slop pop” and “two homies just making tunes and eggs on the regs.” Just add a heavy dose of ’90s indie rock influences and dash of lazy college town angst, and that’s about it. Diet Cig’s shows are super chill, the ideal way to relax in the middle of a sweaty Sunday afternoon. Sun., May 15, 3:15 p.m. Buford Highway Stage. — MM

Austin’s The Black Angels have carved a niche with its distinct blend of drone-laden, psychedelic menace laced with Doors-influenced ’60s pop vibes, securing a spot as one of the defining psych rock bands going today. Sun., May 15, 5:15 p.m. Boulevard Stage. — AK

With albums like White Pony, Around the Fur, and Diamond Eyes under their belt, Sacramento-based heavy rock staples Deftones need no introduction. The group’s blend of shoegaze-alternative metal resonates louder than ever. Now touring behind their latest album, Gore, Deftones are primed to unleash a beautiful beatdown at the park. Sun., May 15, 6:15 p.m. Piedmont Stage. — Alex Kugaczewski

Back from the ashes, El Paso’s At the Drive-In’s explosive post-hardcore energy is set to close out Shaky Knees on the Piedmont Stage. The uncompromising, uncontainable force the band brings to its live show is something to behold: Think wrecking balls and jackhammers, but with more punk rock attitude. Sun., May 15, 8:30 p.m. Piedmont Stage. — AK