The best undercard bets at the 2026 edition of the Atlanta festival
Alice Phoebe Lou (7:30 p.m. Friday, Criminal Records)
I’m not always an indie-folk easy mark, but a friend sent me Lou’s “Witches” earlier this year, and the spell took fast. The South African singer-songwriter has six studio albums to her name, each weaving together rock, jazz and folk with sharp production. If you’re wanting to hear a calmer sound before The Strokes’ headlining set, she’ll be a cool counterpoint to Turnstile.
Villanelle (1:30 p.m. Saturday, Piedmont)
Who said grunge was dead? And who figured a Britpop offspring would be the one trying to drag it back into the daylight? Led by Gene Gallagher, son of Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Villanelle deals in no-frills rock ‘n’ roll with a heavy nod to ’90s alt-rock and grunge. The trio released its debut EP “Measly Means” in May, then backed up the buzz with sets at Bonnaroo and Governors Ball. The group is already working on a follow-up EP, but for now Villanelle seems to be making its case the old-fashioned way: loud, live and on the road.
Geordie Greep (3:45 p.m. Saturday, Criminal Records)
Greep is not exactly undercard material, given that he is best known as the eccentric former frontman of Black Midi, which went on hiatus in 2024. His solo work is every bit as restless as his reputation would suggest; he blends salsa, jazz, rock and theatrical mischief into something that sounds like it should come with a warning label and a cocktail umbrella. His solo debut, “The New Sound,” may be the most accurate album title in ages, as it is chaotic, oddly soothing and impossible to categorize. I never caught Black Midi – or Frank Zappa, for that matter – so this may be the closest I get to that brand of beautiful musical trouble.
Violet Grohl (1:45 p.m. Sunday, Piedmont)
Grohl may arrive with one of rock’s most recognizable last names, but the 20-year-old songwriter is doing more than stepping out of father Dave’s shadow: She’s building her own spotlight. Her May single “Be Sweet to Me” and first headlining tour showed off a voice and guitar bite that can win over more than curious Foo Fighters fans. Start with the driving “THUM” and move next to the PJ Harvey-esque “Applefish,” blown up with a bigger guitar sound. Grohl plays early Sunday afternoon on one of the most stacked festival days of the year, which makes her set both a smart early stop and a chance to catch an artist before the crowd fully catches up.
Fcukers (6:45 p.m. Sunday, Criminal Records)
If you were “L.U.C.K.Y.” enough to score tickets to Fcukers’ late-night Terminal West show on Saturday, you’ll have bragging rights all over Atlanta. The rest of us schlubs get the NYC dance-punk duo Sunday at Criminal Records, where they should turn the stage into a sweaty little dance party before LCD Soundsystem and Gorillaz take over. The duo has been blowing up this year, and I’d like to think Robot Ears on Friday nights on RadioKCM has had something to do with it. More seriously, the group’s sound recalls the early DFA Records era, with a whole lot of snap and funk. Debut album “O” arrived in March, and it already sounds built for clubs and festival fields alike. Start with “L.U.C.K.Y.” and “If You Wanna Party, Come Over to My House.” The only drawback: The pair is playing opposite Wu-Tang Clan at Shaky Knees, which is about as brutal a schedule conflict that exists all weekend.
A few other undercard discoveries worth chasing down: Garbagebarbie, a four-piece out of Los Angeles whose disco-punk sound is hard to pin down and probably better left that way. (Editor’s note: This band has since dropped off the lineup, but look into Psychedelic Porn Crumpets for a vastly different yet similarly intriguing and engaging experience.) If you’re looking for something heavier, Nashville’s Showing Teeth has you covered. The solo artist folds metalcore aggression into sleek melodies and has a vocal range that can swing from sweet, soothing hooks to deathcore-style growls in mere seconds.
Shaky Knees has long been one of BLANK’s favorite festivals, and with a lineup this deep, it’s no surprise that the weekend is nearly sold out, with only Friday tickets still available. The undercard’s range, paired with top-tier national acts, has always been what makes Shaky special, and the move to Piedmont Park feels like the final flourish. We’ll see ya there.
