Shaky Beats Music Festival 2019 Atlanta

By alantvuong on May 21, 2019

Shaky Beats Music Festival is an electronic music festival that takes place in Atlanta, Georgia on the 2nd weekend of May and was spawned from the Shaky Knees Music Festival. The 2019 edition is it’s 4th consecutive year that it has taken place and was started in 2016 to replace the bankrupt and canceled TomorrowWorld and Couterpoint Music Festivals. Both those festivals were featured in and around Atlanta and both had final years in 2015. For the first 2 years of existence it was held at Centennial Olympic Park, while the next 2 years it was at Central Park. It was also originally a 3 day event until the 2019 edition it was reduced to 2 days. Thanks to Bailey from Shaky Beats Music Festival, I got to experience a brand new music festival to a brand new city I never been to. General Admission weekend wristbands start about $160 plus taxes and fees. Some of the major headliners I got see include Martin Garrix, Rufus Du Sol, Galantis and San Holo.

thanks Bailey for having us at Shaky Beats

Location (Central Park)

I really liked that Shaky Beats Music festival was held at Central Park. It was less than 30 minutes walk/stroll from our hotel so it was very easy to get to. Once we arrived at box office to get our wristbands, we were greeted by Bailey and she explained to us about the layout of the venue and that there was an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Guest Services desk inside where we can get an ADA wristband that allows that person plus 1 companion to the special ADA viewing platforms. This is where we also get the lock combination to 2 of the locked accessible porta-potties.

ADA Guest Services desk for all your questions and needs

Getting Started

Prior to entering the festival, all our bags are searched and checked for allowed and disallowed items in the festival. The full list can be found here. My blister pack of medications were good since it had the prescription label with my name and my doctor’s name. Also, we reviewed the map to see the accessible pathways leading to all the stages, bathrooms and food vendors. There are also signs everywhere showing the best accessible routes. Lucky I was with a buddy and he managed to wheel me to cut through the grass and overcome curb cuts and small hills and avoid the longer way around of the accessible routes.

wheelchair signs everywhere showing you the accessible routes

4 Music Stages

There are actually 4 stages at this festival: the main stage is called Peachtree, another big stage close to that is called Piedmont, and 2 smaller stages on the other side called Ponce de Leon and Criminal Records. The first 3 stages I mentioned all have ADA viewing platforms. They are located in the middle further back and are raised a few feet. This allowed people in wheelchairs to see the stage better and not have to be in a crowd of people. The staff working at these platforms are helpful too, thanks Morgan! I sometimes use the ADA viewing platforms and sometimes I hang out with other festival goers in the massive crowd. Just depends on my mood, I guess.

hanging out the Peachtree ADA viewing platform

With Peachtree being the main stage, most of the bigger name dj’s play there and have the most room for people to watch. This stage is right beside a baseball diamond so part of the viewing area has sand on it. The rest is grass or is covered with green mat near the front of the stage. Piedmont is on a grass field but again is covered with a green mat near the front. I liked mat as it was easier to wheel on and won’t be as muddy if there happens to be rain.

Piedmont ADA viewing platform

Ponce de Leon is actually in a large enclosure tent. If it gets too sunny and hot or if happens to rain, I know where I’ll be hiding. Criminal Records stage is the smallest and the least accessible. With no ADA viewing platform, bumpy grass and terrain, and having smaller known dj’s playing there, I did not spend much time here. However, I was still able to have my buddy push me to this stage for a few great sets.

covered Ponce de Leon ADA viewing platform

Keeping Comfortable

Surprisingly, Shaky Beats allows 3 re-entries per day because some festivals do not allow re-entries at all. We never left the event midway both days and arrived about 2pm each day and stayed right until the end at 10:30pm. Since the weather was hot both days, it is best to always stay hydrated. There are free water stations located around the festival so I always had plenty of water. There are plenty of food trucks around too so there is something for everyone. Of course alcoholic drinks are for sale to those 21+. As with other festivals, a credit card can be linked to the wristband to make it easier to buy food, drinks and merchandise at the festival. All you have to do is just tap your wristband at the vendors.

remember to keep hydrated at the free water stations

Since a whole day of music can be tiring, I am really happy that there are about 1 hour breaks in between each set at each stage. Of course since there are 4 stages, there is always music playing somewhere at one of the stages. I have taken a few rest breaks during intermission and used that time to recline my wheelchair back to relieve pressure from sitting. The best spots to do this would be at any of the ADA viewing platforms.

taking a break and pressure relief at Peachtree ADA viewing platform

Bathrooms

I am happy to report there are a few wider and bigger accessible porta potties at each bathroom section. I prefer using the ones next to the ADA Guest Services desk since those are locked and the combination is only given to those with ADA wristbands. These ones are always available since able-bodied persons can not access these. Plus I find it cleaner since it’s not used as often. I was also told that accessible porta potties can not be located right next to the ADA viewing platforms like other festivals that I have been to, because of regulations.

locked accessible porta potties with ramp

Again, I had an amazing time at Shaky Beats Music Festival. Thanks again to Bailey for letting experience a brand new festival in a brand new city. Central Park is a great location to host this event and the people at Shaky Beats definitely made it wheelchair accessible for those who need it and was very accommodating to my needs. It was such a wonderful experience, I hope to be back next year for sure.