If it were 15 years ago and 2004, this would be a great lineup, although even then, Smashing Pumpkins would have been a revival act.  The Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were the vanguard of the early-millennial New York garage-rock revival, the successor to the 90s grunge movement and the predecessor of the mid-Oughts indie-rock renaissance.  Those days, however, are over.

Joan Jett hit her peak in the 80s and was something of a nostalgia act in the 90s.  I don't know what she has to offer in the 20's.

It's impossible to have no one worthwhile on a lineup this large, and I'm liking the new solo project of Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes (who played Shaky Knees five years ago).  Stereolab have been around for a long time, but their unique sound transgresses any genre or specific time period.  Phoebe Bridgers and Snail Mail are both important contemporary artists with something to say.  Meanwhile, The Front Bottoms are good but played Shaky Knees three years ago; The Growlers, two.  

Before getting down to the bottom four or five lines of literally who?, there's some bands that should hold their own in a festival setting (Murder By Death, Caroline Rose, and returning veterans Surfer Blood), but they're not enough to make want want to pay the price (up to $1,600) for a Shaky Knees pass. 

I attended every day of the first six Shaky Knees festivals.  Last year was the first year I didn't attend as I was disappointed by that year's line up.  This  year's is even worse.

It's sad that a festival that once boasted some of the best lineups for fans of indie, guitar and college rock has fallen to the wayside for sure-fire, radio-friendly 90s rock bands, but I guess the promoters have a right to cash in and make some money.  They just won't get mine.

Thank goodness for Big Ears!