Festivals
Who We’re Excited to See at Shaky Knees Festival 2025
Shaky Knees 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most fun and unhinged weekends of the year. From pop-punk royalty and garage rock icons to viral up-and-comers and once-in-a-lifetime reunions, this lineup covers a ridiculous amount of ground. Whether you’re into sweaty mosh pits, singalongs with 10,000 people, or finding your next favorite artist in the middle of the afternoon, there’s something here for you.
Here’s who we’ve got circled on our schedule.
Cage The Elephant
It’s been six long years since Social Cues, and they finally dropped Neon Pill last year. It’s weird, groovy, and as unhinged as you’d expect. Frontman Matt Shultz is back after a rough patch, and you can feel that rawness in their latest work.
Their live sets are electric. If their set at Boston Calling is any indication, expect shirtless chaos, guitars getting chucked, and the whole band running on some beautiful mix of anxiety and adrenaline. This is the kind of show you stumble into and walk out a fan. Don’t sleep on them.
Lucy Dacus
Lucy Dacus is the type of artist who can break your heart in three lines and make you laugh in the fourth. A member of indie supergroup boygenius and a brilliant solo songwriter in her own right, she’s coming off two huge years. Boygenius swept through 2023 with a Grammy win and arena tours, but Dacus has been carving out time for solo activities again. She released her album Forever Is a Feeling on March 2025 and is in the middle of her headlining tour.
Her Shaky Knees set is a perfect chance to catch her in that in-between moment where she’s reflecting on the whirlwind and figuring out what’s next. Her live shows are stripped back and emotionally raw, but there’s always a grounded warmth to them. Bring a tissue. You’ll probably need it.
The Marías
Chill, dreamy, and a little seductive, The Marías bring a mood. Their 2024 release, Submarine, took their psych-pop roots and gave them a pulse. They’ve added more movement to their sound without losing the hazy magic that made them stand out in the first place.
If you’ve seen them opening for Billie Eilish on her lastest tour, you know their set will be a palette cleanser. Grab a drink, sway a little, and let frontwoman María Zardoya’s voice wash over you. Pure sunset-core.
IDLES
IDLES doesn’t do mellow. Their shows are sweat-soaked chaos with a side of catharsis. The Bristol punks dropped TANGK in early 2024, a record that leaned into more melody without losing the brute force that made them festival favorites. Frontman Joe Talbot might be the only person alive who can scream about self-love while looking like he’s ready to fight the sun.
Expect their set to be an emotional workout: loud, joyful, and a little unhinged. You will probably get shoved, but it’s worth it.
Mdou Moctar
If you haven’t seen Mdou Moctar live, fix that. The Tuareg guitarist from Niger plays with the kind of intensity that makes you forget where you are. His 2024 album Funeral for Justice is bold and politically charged, blending traditional desert blues with blistering psych rock.
At Shaky Knees, he’ll probably be one of the only artists shredding like Hendrix while singing in Tamasheq. That alone should be enough to drag you away from the main stage for an hour. Go and be mesmerized.
The Beaches
Toronto’s The Beaches have been on a killer run. Their latest record Blame My Ex was full of punchy hooks and big feelings, they’ve been packing venues across Canada, and just won a JUNO Award for Group of the Year!
They’re funny, relatable, and play like a band that’s been touring for year, which they have. If you want crunchy guitars, catchy choruses, and real “let’s scream this together” energy, this is your stop.
Public Enemy
You don’t get many chances to see Public Enemy in 2025. But Chuck D and Flavor Flav are still at it, still speaking truth, and still knowing exactly how to get a crowd moving. Even if you weren’t around when It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back came out, you know the influence.
Public Enemy redefined hip-hop and are still bringing hard-hitting beats and socially charged anthems to the stage. Seeing “Fight The Power” performed live is a history lesson and a movement all in one.
Scowl
Hardcore is alive and well, and Scowl is one of the bands leading the charge. The Santa Cruz outfit is loud, fast, and feral in the best way. Their latest album Are We All Angels brings in elements of alt-rock and even a bit of pop melody, but don’t worry, the live show still hits like a steel-toed boot.
Singer Kat Moss is a force, stomping across the stage with snarling charisma. If you’re craving chaos, or just need to punch the air for a while, this is your set.
4 Non Blondes
Yes, those 4 Non Blondes. They’re back. Linda Perry and crew are reuniting for one of their only major shows this year. It’s been over three decades since Bigger, Better, Faster, More! dropped, and you already know how the set will end. “What’s Up?” is going to be screamed by thousands.
But there’s more to this reunion than just that one hit. Linda Perry has been writing for everyone from Pink to Christina Aguilera over the years, and there’s a curiosity in seeing what this version of the band looks like in 2025.
Deftones
Deftones walk the line between nu-metal nostalgia and full-blown art rock. Their last record, Ohms, was one of their strongest in years, and tthe band is currently on their 2025 North American Tour, their first headline run since 2022.
Their live show is moody, aggressive, and immersive. You’re just as likely to headbang as you are to drift off mid-song in a haze of feedback and fog. It’s a trip. Don’t forget to bring earplugs!
This year’s Shaky Knees lineup is packed to the brim, yet we barely scratched the surface here. There’s a hundred more reasons to go. But if you’re looking to build out your schedule, these are some of the acts that are going to make the weekend unforgettable. See you in the pit!
For more info, head to Shaky Knees’ website.
Festivals
Morrissey and The Smashing Pumpkins to Headline Darker Waves 2026
Morrissey and The Smashing Pumpkins will headline Darker Waves Festival on November 14, 2026 in Huntington Beach, CA. Returning to Huntington Beach City Beach at Huntington Street and Pacific Coast Highway, the ocean-side festival will feature legendary performances from over 35 artists across three stages including Simple Minds, Bad Religion, Adam Ant, The Psychedelic Furs, Soft Cell, The Damned, Manic Street Preachers, Gary Numan, Silversun Pickups, Buzzcocks, EMF, Circle Jerks, Spacehog, Marky Ramone and more. Fans can sign up now for the festival SMS list at DarkerWavesFest.com to receive a passcode to the presale beginning Thursday, April 2 at 10am PT with access to the lowest-priced GA tickets from 10am to 11am PT. GA, GA+, VIP, and Ultimate VIP Tickets will be available, with layaway payment plans starting at $19.99 down. Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the public following the presale.
GA+ tickets include access to the exclusive GA+ Lounge with shaded seating and air-conditioned restrooms, plus a dedicated entry lane at the festival main entrance, and more. VIP tickets include unlimited entry into the VIP Lounge with preferred viewing area by the main stage, charging stations, air-conditioned restrooms, dedicated entry lane at the festival main entrance and more. Ultimate VIP tickets feature all amenities of VIP, plus access to elevated and unobstructed views of both main stages with shaded open lounge seating, dedicated VIP concierge team, a complimentary locker to store personal items, three complimentary drinks including choice of craft cocktails, beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverages, a complimentary meal redeemable for exclusive food options in the VIP Lounge and more.
Official Darker Waves vacation packages from Jampack pair GA, GA+, or VIP tickets with beachfront stays at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa or The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, and more. Bundles include a dedicated entrance, re-entry access, and commemorative merch.
For tickets and the full list of amenities available in each ticket package, please visit DarkerWavesFest.com.
Festivals
The Outlaw Music Festival Announces Its Highly Anticipated 2026 Tour Schedule
Willie Nelson, Mark Rothbaum, Keith Wortman, Blackbird Presents, and Live Nation proudly announce the return of the 2026 Outlaw Music Festival Tour as it enters its second decade on the road. Following last year’s milestone 10th anniversary, which Rolling Stone hailed as “undoubtedly the most exciting and eclectic multi-artist festival of the 2025 summer amphitheater season by a wide margin,” the festival ushers in a new era, continuing its tradition of unforgettable music and community that has made it a true cultural phenomenon.
Headlining this special limited run is once again the legendary Willie Nelson. With fewer appearances on the road this year, each night carries added significance, a rare chance to experience a living legend alongside a powerhouse lineup of iconic voices and next-generation trailblazers.
The tour, which kicks off on July 3 in Irving, Texas, features Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Wilco, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Margo Price, Sierra Hull, Robert Randolph, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, and Lily Meola.
The tour also includes Willie’s annual Fourth of July Picnic, which will feature special guests Billy Strings and Rodney Crowell. Please see the market lineups below for the artists performing in each city.
“Being on the road and playing for the fans is what I love to do. We don’t get to do as many shows as we used to, so every night out there means a little more. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and making it a special time.” — Willie Nelson
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 27, at 10 AM local time through http://OutlawMusicFestival.com and http://ticketmaster.com. VIP packages will be available, offering great seats and exclusive festival merchandise. Citi is the official card of the 2026 Outlaw Music Festival Tour. Citi card members will have early access to presale tickets, available today through Thursday, March 26, until 10 PM local time via the Citi Entertainment program. For detailed presale information, visit www.citientertainment.com.
The first Outlaw Music Festival debuted in 2016 in Scranton, PA. The sold-out show was so popular that Blackbird, Rothbaum, and Nelson have made it one of North America’s biggest annual touring franchises. Musicians such as Chris Stapleton, Neil Young, Luke Combs, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, Eric Church, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers, and many more have been a part of the Outlaw Tour, sharing unforgettable music memories and unique vendor villages with local food, drinks, and shopping at Live Nation amphitheaters nationwide.
2026 OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL TOUR DATES & LINEUPS:
Friday, July 3, 2026
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving, TX
Willie Nelson & Family
Wilco
Sheryl Crow
Lukas Nelson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Margo Price
Lily Meola
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Germania Insurance Amphitheater, Austin, TX
Willie Nelson & Family
Billy Strings
Wilco
Sheryl Crow
Lukas Nelson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Margo Price
Rodney Crowell
Lily Meola
Sunday, July 5, 2026
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Wilco
Sheryl Crow
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Margo Price
Lily Meola
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Lukas Nelson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Sierra Hull
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Mystic Lake Amphitheater, Shakopee, MN
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Lukas Nelson
Sierra Hull
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Friday, August 21, 2026
Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Lukas Nelson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Sierra Hull
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Lukas Nelson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Sierra Hull
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Lukas Nelson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Sierra Hull
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Lukas Nelson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Sierra Hull
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Friday, August 28 2026
Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Sheryl Crow
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Robert Randolph
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Sheryl Crow
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Robert Randolph
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Albany Med Health System at SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Sheryl Crow
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Robert Randolph
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
For complete tour details, please visit: http://outlawmusicfestival.com