Blog posts by Dan Mistich and Gabe Vodicka
-
Shaky Knees Fest in Review
Blog: Homedrone
For more photos, click here.
Friday, May 9
I arrived just in time to catch the last 30 minutes of The Whigs pound out a raucous set on the Ponce de Leon stage. “The Particular,” from their new record, Modern Creation, sounded especially sweet. It may have been mid-afternoon when the band rounded out its set, but a couple thousand fans doing the Tomahawk Chop in unison made it feel like a typical show at the 40 Watt. After the set, I caught up with the band to discuss their recent performanceon "The Late Show with David Letterman." Regarding the host's complimentary remarks about Athens, the group expressed humility. “We try to be good ambassadors to our hometown,” said Tim Deaux. Julian Dorio agreed: “We may be in Nashville now, but if Letterman says we’re from Athens, we’ll take it.” [DM]
I didn’t do a thorough investigation, but I’m willing to bet Charles Bradley was the oldest performer at Shaky Knees this year. Lucky for those posted up in front of the Ponce de Leon Stage, he was also one of the more impressive acts on the first day. Bradley and his band, The Extraordinares, don’t simply recall the iconic '60s and '70s soul acts; Bradley has a groove that is undeniably his own. [DM]
Dropkick Murphys broke through with "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," the emphatic, Celtic-tinged tune that scored The Departed and has been co-opted by many a film and television production since. The group's hooliganish steez is largely unchanged since its scrappy Warped Tour days, though it's become a decidedly more professional outfit; the band's heretical take on "Amazing Grace," complete with screeching bagpipes, cut through the muggy festival air with an odd sort of grace. [GV]
More below.
Page 1 of 1, showing 1 records out of 1 total, starting on record 1, ending on 1