Shaky Knees Festival 2015 Preview

Atlanta’s Shaky Knees Festival began in the rain with two days two years ago (QRO recap), before expanding into a three-day powerhouse last year (QRO recap), and it returns to start off the summer festival season right, Friday-to-Sunday, May 8th to 10th:

FRIDAY, MAY 8th

Peachtree Stage The Strokes, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM Back in 2001, The Strokes’ Is This It and “Hard To Explain” basically launched the alternative music revival, starting in Lower East Side before going to Brooklyn, Canada, Sweden, and everywhere else (not to mention drummer Fabrizio Moretti dating Drew Barrymore). However, follow-ups Room On Fire and First Impressions of Earth were way too similar to what the band had broken through with, while countless indie acts had taken advantage of the opening & the internet to make The Strokes feel like old hat, and fans say, “Is This It?”. Various members did their own thing, such as solo records from guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. (QRO solo photos at a festival) and singer Julian Casablancas (QRO solo photos at a festival), but didn’t light the world on fire (QRO review of Casablancas solo record), and Barrymore & Moretti broke up, leaving the band something of a forgotten caricature (or, as The Onion so excellently put it in a side headline, ‘Guy from The Strokes accused of looking like guy from The Strokes’). But maybe that’s what the band needed – no follow-up or solo record could live up to Is This It, and there was enough time that them getting back together for 2011’s Angles (QRO review) practically counted as the first ‘twenty-first century reunion’ (on the lines of the popular eighties & nineties alt-reunions – we need a name for the last decade…). However, last year saw them release Comedown Machine (QRO review), which seemed like a ‘last record’, from the chosen name to the band not doing any promotion to it being the final one on their RCA contract. Casablancas, Hammond, and others are already looking to solo projects again, so this might be your last chance to catch The Strokes in a while/ever (QRO photos at a festival).

Mastodon, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM The New Wave of American Heavy Metal gave birth to Atlanta’s Mastodon, who achieved a commercial breakthrough in 2011’s The Hunter (QRO review), and come to Shaky Knees behind their follow-up, Once More Around the Sun.

Manchester Orchestra, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM From right in Atlanta, not New or Old England, Manchester Orchestra (QRO live review) were more rock than alt- on debut I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child (QRO review), and moved firmly into the rock camp with 2009’s Mean Everything To Nothing (QRO review), 2011’s Simple Math (QRO review), and last year’s Cope (QRO review). However, the outfit does it well (QRO live review) and big (QRO photos) as they come home (QRO photos at a festival).

The Kooks, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM With Inside In/Inside Out and “Naïve”, The Kooks (QRO photos) burst out of Brighton as alt-pop stars beloved by girls everywhere (QRO photos). 2008’s Konk (QRO review) kept that up, more or less, though 2011’s Junk of the Heart (QRO review) saw the band (QRO photos at a festival) get pretty simple (QRO live review), but they more or less bounced back with last year’s Listen (QRO review).

Jukebox the Ghost, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM Catch the pop of the latest signee to Cherrytree Records (QRO anniversary party recap), Jukebox the Ghost (QRO photos).

Surfer Blood, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Shooting up very quickly in indie-circles was West Palm Beach’s Surfer Blood (QRO live review), who were gaining tons of fans (QRO photos of a packed house) long before acclaimed debut Astro Coast (QRO review) finally hit the shelves (or whatever you say in today’s digital age…). Surfer Blood (QRO photos at a festival) then signed to Warner Brothers, so at least one major label is hoping that they the first wave of a new ‘South Florida Invasion’ (QRO photos at home). However, QRO called them way back when (QRO photos at a festival), before they played a million-and-one festivals (QRO photos outdoors at a festival). They come to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival) after moving to L.A., and are touring 2013’s less-special Pythons (QRO review) plus their upcoming 1000 Palms.

Piedmont Stage Pixies, 8:15 PM – 9:00 PM Shaky Knees continues in the tradition of reunions of eighties and nineties greats with the band that set the alt-reunion standard, the Pixies (QRO live review). The group had some of the strongest records of those two decades, like 1989’s Doolittle (QRO twentieth anniversary live review) and songs such as “Gouge Away” (QRO video) & “Nimrod’s Son” (QRO video), but broke up just before alternative music got successful. The members went on to various other projects, most notably singer/guitarist Black Francis reversing & Anglicizing his name into ‘Frank Black’ (real name: Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV) for his solo career, and singer/bassist Kim Deal teaming up with her sister as The Breeders for the very successful Last Splash (QRO twentieth anniversary live review). But the hatchet between those two was buried in 2004, when Frank/Francis, Deal, guitarist Joey Santiago, and drummer David Lovering reunited at Coachella – and began this century/millennium’s alt-reunion tradition. Admittedly, the reunion was strictly a nostalgia one (QRO live review), as the Pixies didn’t make new music, just toured the old (QRO live review), while Frank continued to put out solo work (albeit back under his Francis name – QRO live review) and Deal reunited with her sister for the unimpressive Mountain Battles (QRO review). But eventually both dams burst: out came the new song “Bagboy”, and out went Deal (again), to spend full-time in Breeders. The Pixies recruited first Kim Shattuck to pick up the bass & female vocals for tour (QRO live review), then Paz Lenchantin, and come to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival) behind their first new album in over twenty years, Indie Cindy (QRO review).

TV On the Radio, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM One of the bands that put Brooklyn not only on the indie-map, but also at the top of it, is the borough’s TV On the Radio (QRO live review outdoors in Brooklyn). 2004’s debut Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes introduced their complex-yet-accessible indie-tech-punk-rock, 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain proved it was no fluke, and 2008’s Dear Science (QRO review) saw the band launched into the top tier of alternative music (QRO live review). The group took something of a break after that, as members such as Tunde Adebimpe, David Andrew Sitek, and Kyp Malone did various side/solo projects, but returned in 2013 (QRO photos at a festival) with Nine Types of Light (QRO review). Nine Types was a return in quality as well as success for the band (QRO photos at a festival), though they unfortunately lost bassist Gerard Smith to cancer in 2011, but have kept on magnificently (QRO photos outdoors in New York last year), including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).

Clutch, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM This hard rock act always performs well in the Clutch (QRO photos at a festival).

John Grant, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Former lead singer of Denver’s The Czars, John Grant (QRO photos) comes to Shaky Knees while on tour with Pixies (see above).

Also: HAERTS, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – QRO photos at a festival Songs For Kids, 12:15 PM – 12:30 PM

Ponce de Leon Stage Brand New, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM Long Island’s Brand New (QRO photos) were getting bigger & bigger, like with 2009’s Top Ten release, Daisy, but have since announced a sonic shift for the long-awaited follow-up, so who knows what to expect at Shaky Knees?

Death From Above 1979, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM For an act that only broke up five years ago, Death From Above 1979’s reunion is actually one of the most anticipated (QRO photos at a festival). It helps that the duo of Jesse F. Keeler (who’s been in MSTRKRFT since the break-up) and Sebastien Grainger (who had his own solo career after the break-up – QRO album review) basically invented the dance-punk/noise-rock scene. Their initial reunion gig at South-by-Southwest in Austin in 2011 (QRO recap) was so mobbed that policemen came in on horses and used mace – won’t be that nuts at Shaky Knees, but expect a wild time (QRO photos at a festival) as the band tours (QRO live review) behind their self-titled reunion record (QRO review).

Mac DeMarco, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM Some artists toil in obscurity for years, even decades, but Mac DeMarco (QRO photos at a festival) is only just old enough to drink, and already has his debut full-length, Mac DeMarco 2, and reputation for wild live shows (QRO photos at a festival) that brings him to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival).

Two Gallants, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM San Francisco folk-rock duo Two Gallants (QRO photos) comes to Shaky Knees behind their new album, We Are Undone. Also: Black Pistol Fire, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

Boulevard Stage American Football, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM One of the founding bands of emo, American Football reunited last year and has kept that going into Shaky Knees.

Kaiser Chiefs, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Leeds’ Kaiser Chiefs (QRO photos at a festival) had an alt-cheek to their 2005 debut Employment, but like other Anglo alt-acts that broke out around then, they’ve declined since then, with the mixed Off With Their Heads (QRO review) and poor Yours Truly, Angry Mob (QRO review). 2012’s Start the Revolution Without Me (QRO review) and 2014’s Education, Education, Education & War (QRO review) aren’t a return to Employment, they’ve still got a job (QRO live review).

Wavves, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM Redemption? After WAVVES singer/guitarist Nathan Williams (QRO photos at a festival) had a very public breakdown, on stage at Primavera Sound Festival in 2009, the San Diego act cancelled their whole European tour. However, since then Williams got back on the road (QRO photos at a festival), recruited the backing band of the late Jay Reatard (QRO photos), put on the much-praised King of the Beach (QRO review) and 2012’s Afraid of Heights. And he’s even returned to Primavera (QRO photos at a festival) – plus he’s cut out imitating Pauly Shore. Also: Mitski, 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM Blank Range, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Buford Highway Stage James Blake, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM People seemed to start talking about ‘post-dubstep’ before dubstep was even a thing, in the form of highly-hyped Brit James Blake (QRO live review). But the former singer of Mount Kimbie (QRO photos at a festival) has been making massive waves with his self-titled debut (QRO review) and Overgrown, so see for yourself what all the fuss is about (QRO photos at a big venue).

The Mountain Goats, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM John Darnielle has been a prolific producer for near two decades now under The Mountain Goats (QRO photos) moniker, including 2008’s Heretic Pride (QRO review) 2009’s pseudo-biblically-inspired The Life of the World To Come (QRO review), 2011’s All Eternals Deck, 2012’s Transcendental Youth, and this year’s Beat the Camp And he’s bringing his enjoyable solo live show (QRO live review) to Osheaga (QRO photos at a festival), with both newer material like “Hebrew 11:40” (QRO video) and older such as “This Year” (QRO video).

Also: Zella Day, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM – QRO photos Tennis, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM – QRO photos at a festival Halsey, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

SATURDAY, MAY 9th

Peachtree Stage The Avett Brothers, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM One of the bigger – and better – hits of today’s new Americana (QRO photos at a festival), The Avett Brothers (QRO photos at a festival) won a wide audience with 2009’s fine country of I and Love and You (QRO review), including playing on The Grammys with Bob Dylan, and now come to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival), with 2012’s follow-up The Carpenter (QRO review). Their country can even fit in the big city (QRO photos at a festival), like Atlanta.

Social Distortion, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Sometimes, plugging away pays off, even for a punk band. Fullerton’s Social Distortion (QRO photos) started all the way back in 1978, and, other than a year-long break in the eighties due to drug & legal problems, have kept on going (albeit with singer/guitarist Mike Ness as the sole remaining original/twentieth century member – QRO photos). They helped establish both the ‘cowpunk’ sound, and today’s workingman’s punk (QRO photos) – and reached #4 on the Billboard charts in 2011 with eighth record, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, and come to Shaky Knees while working on their ninth (QRO photos).

Flogging Molly, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Flogging Molly (QRO live review) is on the leading edge of today’s workingman’s punk rock. The Celtic tinge to this Los Angeles act (QRO photos) has only grown, with 2008’s produced-in-Eire Float and 2011’s Speed of Darkness reaching new heights in popularity for the genre, as well as bringing it to the wide open air (QRO photos outdoors). They have become a strong presence on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival), as well as their own headlining shows (QRO live review).

Real Estate, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Indie-rock reviewers such as Pitchfork have long loved Ridgewood, New Jersey’s Real Estate (QRO live review), including 2012’s sophomore release Days (QRO review) and last year’s relaxed Atlas (QRO review), so see for yourself if they’re right as the band comes to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival).

Mariachi El Bronx, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM Los Angeles’ hardcore act The Bronx (see below) (QRO photos) don their sombreros to become Mariachi El Bronx (QRO photos at a festival). Also: Songs For Kids, 12:15 PM – 12:30 PM

Piedmont Stage Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM In the nineties, Noel Gallagher and his brother Liam broke through in a major way, fronting Oasis, the band that defined Brit-rock of that era. They also pretty much defined ‘sibling rivalry’, as the guitarist/songwriter and singer (respectively) seemingly constantly feuded. Their commercial success declined at the end of the decade/century/millennium, with Oasis splitting & getting back together for two better-received albums – before Noel leaving again. Since then, while Oasis-without-Noel Beady Eye failed to impress & broke up, Noel has found continued/renewed critical & commercial success behind Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds (QRO live review), who come to Shaky Knees with sophomore record Chasing Yesterday.

Interpol, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM When the Lower East Side music scene broke out at the beginning of this century/millennium, one of the biggest breakouts was neo-New Wave outfit Interpol (QRO live review) with Turn On the Bright Lights and Antics. Unfortunately, 2007 major label debut Our Love To Admire (QRO review) was a serious disappointment, leading to a hiatus (where singer/guitarist Paul Banks did his own solo thing as Julian Plenti – QRO European tour review). But 2010’s return to Matador Records Interpol (QRO review) was a return to form, and so was their live show (QRO photos), even on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival). Of course, the following year saw another hiatus (with Paul Banks going solo again, this time under his own name – QRO album review), but the band has returned once more (QRO photos at a festival), with El Pintor out last August (QRO photos at a festival in August) and coming to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival).

Also: The Devil Makes Three, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM – QRO photos at a festival The Whiskey Gentry, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Hey Rosetta!, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM – QRO interview

Ponce de Leon Stage Wilco, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM For alt-country, there’s pretty much Wilco (QRO live review outdoors), and then there’s everybody else. The Chicago stars, led by singer/songwriter Jeff Tweedy, but also featuring bassist John Stirratt, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone (the two of whom also form The Autumn Defense – QRO spotlight on), guitarist Nels Cline (QRO photos), drummer Glenn Kotche, pianist Mikael Jorgensen, and more (like “Jesus, Etc.” – QRO video), have played everywhere from Conan at home to “Far, Far Away” (QRO video). They’ve also been excellent for so long (QRO live review outdoors) that their set lists are mammoth and still can’t cover everything (QRO live review) from the late greats like “I’m the Man Who Loves You” (QRO video) to more recent material off of Sky Blue Sky (QRO review), Wilco (The Album) (QRO review), and The Whole Love (QRO review) like “Hate It Here” (QRO video). And the quintessential American band (QRO live review) comes to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival) after releasing a greatest hits set & b-sides/extras, so look for the full Wilco (QRO live review).

Neutral Milk Hotel, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Jeff Mangum formed Neutral Milk Hotel around him in the late nineties, released In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, and the rest was history. One of the most critically acclaimed records of the past twenty years, NMH still disbanded before the decade/century/millennium was over, thanks to Mangum’s growing disillusionment (and later nervous breakdown). It all seemed to be the story of a candle that burned too bright for too short a time, but then Mangum began touring a few years ago (QRO live review), and then came a full-fledged reunion (with the line-up that played on Aeroplane), which comes to play Shaky Knees. [note: put your cell phones and cameras away for this performance, as Magnum notoriously hates photographing at his performances…]

The Black Lips, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM A band better known for their live show than their records, that’s not just because of the relatively unimpressive recorded material like 2010’s 200 Million Thousand (QRO review) or 2011’s Arabia Mountain (QRO review), but also due to their crazy mishmash of genres and styles on stage (QRO live review). Atlanta’s The Black Lips’ wild live show includes everything from nudity to fireworks – and live animals (QRO photos at a festival). Atlanta should hopefully let the boys let ‘er rip (QRO photos outdoors), but be rest assured their rabidly loyal fan base will still be crying out for more (QRO photos outdoors at a festival), as they come back home to Atlanta (QRO photos at a Southern festival) behind their newer (and better) Underneath the Rainbow (QRO review).

Palma Violets, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Shaky Knees welcomes a bunch of buzzed-about up-and-coming acts, and maybe nobody’s got more buzz than the garage-psych Palma Violets (QRO spotlight on). The Lambeth, London natives (QRO interview) come to Atlanta just after the release of sophomore record Danger In the Club. Also: Field Report, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM – QRO photos at a festival

Boulevard Stage Milky Chance, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Mixing folk with reggae and even electronica is the fast-rising German duo Milky Chance (QRO photos at a festival).

Built To Spill, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Yes, the ‘biggest indie-rock band outta Boise, Idaho (QRO photos at a festival) is still around, still on Warner Bros., and still putting out new music (QRO live review), just releasing Untethered Moon. They’ve gained a second life on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival) – and have been moving up the festival food chain (QRO photos headlining a festival).

METZ, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Both loud and skilled, METZ (QRO live review) come ready to rock and impress at Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival).

Speedy Ortiz, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM There’s tons of buzz around Brooklyn’s new Speedy Ortiz (QRO photos at a festival), who come to Shaky Knees behind debut Foil Deer.

Buford Highway Stage ZZ Ward, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM Hopefully hit singer/songwriter ZZ Ward (QRO photos) will have some new material at Shaky Knees, as her only full-length to date has been 2012 debut Til the Casket Drops.

The Bronx, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Last few years, certain hardcore bands have been breaking into the indie-mainstream, such as Canada’s Fucked Up (QRO live review) and Los Angeles’ own The Bronx (other than Chicago & Boston, are any bands named after their own hometowns?…). Not that The Bronx (QRO photos at a festival) are your run-of-the-mill hardcore act – see their Latin alter ego, Mariachi El Bronx (see above) (QRO photos at a festival).

FIDLAR, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Back in the long-lost eighties, punk outfits like Black Flag would prompt conflict with Commissioner Chief Daryl Gates’ pre-Rodney King LAPD – but everyone’s mellower these days, right? Not if FIDLAR (QRO photos) have anything to say about it.

Viet Cong, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Containing half of Calgary’s defunct Women (QRO photos at a festival), Viet Cong (QRO photos at a festival) bring a “labyrinthine post-punk” to Shaky Knees. Also: Kevin Devine & The Gentleman Band, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM – QRO spotlight on

SUNDAY, MAY 9th

Peachtree Stage Tame Impala, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM From Perth (QRO photos at a home) in Western Australia (QRO photos at a hometown festival), comes the psychedelic rock of Tame Impala (QRO live review), touring off of 2011’s Innerspeaker (QRO review) & 2012’s Lonerism, whose critical acclaim has won them fans across the world (QRO photos at a festival), and a headlining spot at Shaky Knees (QRO photos).

Ryan Adams, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM The alt-country/rock artist broke out in the first years of this century/millennium when he went alone, finding major success in the country/rock mainstream, but Ryan Adams (QRO photos) eventually embraced his backing band, The Cardinals, and kept on writing. After 2008’s Cardinology and tour, Adams announced he was leaving The Cardinals again, as well as going on a hiatus due to hearing loss and disillusionment with today’s music industry, but returned in 2011 with Ashes & Fire and last year’s acclaimed self-titled record.

Dr. Dog, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Shaky Knees has some of the jam-festival with Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog (QRO photos), who have become a festival regular (QRO photos at a festival) since 2008’s commercial breakthrough Fate (QRO review) launched them into headlining status (QRO photos headlining a festival). Unfortunately, Fate wasn’t anything special (QRO photos), but Dr. Dog make a lot of people happy live (QRO photos outdoors), especially outdoors (QRO live review outdoors at a festival), so expect the “Sweetness”, along with material from 2010’s still-middling Shame, Shame (QRO review) and 2013’s also okay Be the Void (QRO review).

The Both, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Acclaimed for their own solo careers, singer/songwriters Ted Leo (QRO photos at a festival) and Aimee Mann have teamed up as The Both. Also: Mini Mansions, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM Songs For Kids, 12:15 PM – 12:30 PM

Piedmont Stage Ride, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM When Liam Gallagher’s post-Oasis Beady Eye (QRO photos) broke up last year, people weren’t wondering if he’d get back together with brother Noel (who’s having his own successful solo career, and is playing Shaky Knees – see above), but instead if guitarist Andy Bell would reunite with his first band, Ride. Their early nineties output was as essential to shoegaze as anything My Bloody Valentine did, and MBV reunited… And so has Ride, for a stellar reunion tour this summer, including Shaky Knees!

Spiritualized, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM After the demise of the space-rock Spaceman 3, Jason Pierce stayed in the stratosphere (thanks to an inanimate carbon rod) as Spiritualized (QRO live review). He had been performing 1997’s Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space (NME’s Album of the Year) in full, but Spiritualized (QRO photos) comes to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival) behind 2012’s Sweet Heart Sweet Light.

Best Coast, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Los Angeles’ Best Coast (QRO live review) is a practical veteran at the still-new garage-scene (QRO photos at a festival), but a goodie (QRO photos at a festival), combining surf, garage, indie, and pop for a sound (QRO photos) that’s sure to be sweet coming from frontwoman Bethany Cosentino (QRO live review) outdoors (QRO photos outdoors). They come to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at a festival) behind their new California Nights, the follow-up to 2012’s simplistic The Only Place (QRO review).

Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM New Orleans’ Preservation Hall has been preserving the iconic city’s jazz tradition not just in the Big Easy but also around the world thanks to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who having been bringing Dixieland to other lands since the founding of the hall back in the sixties. Also: Matthew E. White, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM – QRO photos at a festival

Ponce de Leon Stage Old Crow Medicine Show, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM One of the most authentic acts in this current hipster-fueled Americana revival has been Old Crow Medicine Show, who’ve done everything from the Big Easy Express Tour with Mumford & Sons and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (the documentary of which won a Grammy – QRO screening review) to appear numerous times on A Prairie Home Companion – and, oh yeah, they had a platinum hit single “Wagon Wheel”.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM From west in New Orleans, Trombone Shorty (QRO photos) doesn’t just toot his horn but also integrates more modern funk and rap into his jazz.

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM While Frank Turner (QRO photos) began his life in music as singer for the post-hardcore act Million Dead, since that band’s break-up in 2005, the Bahrain-born, Britain-raised artists has turned to political indie-folk (QRO photos at a festival). He’s not a stranger to big stages, however (QRO photos at a festival), having opened up for Green Day (QRO album review) at stadium shows in the U.K.

Old 97’s, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Old 97’s (QRO photos at a festival) helped forget the alt-country sound-scene in the nineties alongside the likes of The Drive-By Truckers (QRO album review) and proto-Wilco (see above) Uncle Tupelo, and have just kept on truckin’ ever since, up to double-digits in full-lengths with last year’s Most Messed Up. Also: Nikki Lane, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM – QRO photos at a festival

Boulevard Stage Xavier Rudd & The United Nations, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Australian one-man band Xavier Rudd & The United Nations (QRO photos at a festival) comes to Shaky Knees.

Diamond Rugs, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Garage-rock side-project/super-group Diamond Rugs (QRO photos) has members from Black Lips (see above), Deer Tick (QRO live review), Dead Confederate (QRO album review), and more.

The Sheepdogs, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM In 2011, Rolling Stone ran a ‘Choose the Cover’ contest for the first unsigned band to ever appear on the venerable magazine’s cover, and the winner was Saskatoon’s The Sheepdogs (QRO photos at a festival two days before winning the contest). However, the group (QRO photos) was unsigned more due to location than sound, as their seventies guitar-rock isn’t entirely original, but is popular – they’ve since signed to Atlantic Records (QRO photos at a festival). Also: Steve Gunn, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Buford Highway Stage Minus the Bear, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM From Seattle, Minus the Bear (QRO photos at a festival) have been combining rock with intricate electronics.

Panda Bear, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM One of the founding members of Baltimore’s ultra-relevant experimental electronic outfit Animal Collective (QRO live review), Noah Lennox – a.k.a. Panda Bear (QRO photos at a festival) – broke out of the zoo and is now on his own (QRO photos at a festival), with 2011’s Tomboy (QRO review), the follow-up to 2007’s Person Pitch (QRO review). He comes to Shaky Knees after contributing to Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning Random Access Memories (QRO review), playing off his own new Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper.

Heartless Bastards, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Erika Wennerstrom’s (QRO photos) Heartless Bastards (QRO live review) emerged from the same post-industrial Ohio Rust Belt blues-rock revival as The Black Keys (QRO album review), who discovered the group (QRO photos at a festival). However, after 2009’s The Mountain (QRO review), the group (QRO photos) left Black Keys’ Fat Possum label for Partisan for 2012’s Arrow (QRO review), along with playing bigger stages (QRO photos) and festivals (QRO photos at a festival). They come back to Shaky Knees (QRO photos at Shaky Knees ’13) behind their latest, Restless Ones.

The Mowgli’s, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Southern California’s The Mowgli’s (QRO photos) got attention with “San Francisco”, and come to Shaky Knees behind new release Kids In Love. Also: The Damnwells, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

LATE NIGHT SHOWS

Thursday, May 7th
James Blake @ Terminal West

Friday, May 8th
Snowden and The Shadowboxers @ The Loft – Snowden (QRO spotlight on) playing Anti Anti in full
Graveyard, with Brother Hawk @ The Earl
The Dead Milkmen @ Masquerade – Hell
…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead @ Masquerade – Purgatory
Portugal. The Man, with Small Reactions @ Masquerade – Heaven
Ride @ Terminal West

Saturday, May 9th
Built To Spill, with Wooden Indian Burial Ground @ The Earl
Frank Turner @ The Sleeping Souls @ Masquerade – Hell
Diamond Rugs @ Masquerade – Purgatory
Spiritualized @ Terminal West
Milky Chance @ Center Stage
Best Coast @ The Loft
Steve Gunn, with Boom Forest @ Vinyl