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Atlanta's first autonomous transit route launches Friday

The new route links West End MARTA to Lee & White as Atlanta tests autonomous transit.

Transit

Atlanta&#x27;s first autonomous transit route — and newest robotic designated driver — launches in the West End on Friday.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ATL Spoke" data-vars-click-url="https://beltline.org/atl-spoke/" data-vars-content-id="03853d47-592b-485b-b8d2-2cdfa8c44b19" data-vars-headline="Atlanta&#x27;s first autonomous transit route launches Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://beltline.org/atl-spoke/" target="_blank">ATL Spoke</a> is a one-year foray into technology that advocates say could solve the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last-mile" data-vars-click-url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(transportation)" data-vars-content-id="03853d47-592b-485b-b8d2-2cdfa8c44b19" data-vars-headline="Atlanta&#x27;s first autonomous transit route launches Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(transportation)" target="_blank">last-mile</a>&quot; problem keeping some riders off transit.

Ossoff and Bottoms fire up Democratic voters at Atlanta rally

Sunday's rally was the first joint appearance by the pair, who hope to capitalize on the surge of voter turnout in the Democratic primary.

Politics

U.S. Sen Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms came together Sunday to convince voters that party unity is Democrats&#x27; best shot at winning in November.Why it matters: Sunday&#x27;s rally was the first joint appearance by the pair, who are banking on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surge of Democratic voter turnout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/05/democrats-outpace-republicans-in-early-voting-in-georgia-primaries/" data-vars-content-id="b4dff614-fde3-4014-bdf7-be72b2ed7e0a" data-vars-headline="Ossoff and Bottoms fire up Democratic voters at Atlanta rally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/05/democrats-outpace-republicans-in-early-voting-in-georgia-primaries/" target="_blank">surge of Democratic voter turnout</a> in the May 19 primary to lead to a victory on Nov. 3.

Pickleball craze slows, but still strong in Atlanta

The city has 73 pickleball courts, or 1.4 courts for every 10,000 residents, according to the Trust for Public Land.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" data-vars-content-id="3ad5e58a-000c-4c61-9345-9a7310496925" data-vars-headline="Pickleball craze slows, but still strong in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" target="_self">pickleball</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" craze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" data-vars-content-id="3ad5e58a-000c-4c61-9345-9a7310496925" data-vars-headline="Pickleball craze slows, but still strong in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" target="_self"> craze</a> — so hot in the pandemic and immediately afterwards — may be cooling off. Don&#x27;t tell that to Atlanta players, however.Why it matters: America&#x27;s one-time fastest-growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/02/24/pandemic-sport-pickleball" data-vars-content-id="3ad5e58a-000c-4c61-9345-9a7310496925" data-vars-headline="Pickleball craze slows, but still strong in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/02/24/pandemic-sport-pickleball" target="_self">sport</a> is also possibly one of the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polarizing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/Pickleball/comments/1lzr8aw/why_is_there_such_an_immense_hate_stigma_on/" data-vars-content-id="3ad5e58a-000c-4c61-9345-9a7310496925" data-vars-headline="Pickleball craze slows, but still strong in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Pickleball/comments/1lzr8aw/why_is_there_such_an_immense_hate_stigma_on/" target="_blank">polarizing</a>.

Atlanta partners with Throne Labs to install public restrooms along Beltline

Restrooms have so far been installed at Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, Piedmont Park and Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark.

Health

Atlanta is partnering with a company to install public restrooms in several areas around the city.Why it matters: Nothing is more stressful than trying to enjoy an outing in Atlanta while mentally mapping out the nearest bathroom.

New concert series built to honor the military community

Military members and veterans get free tickets to these Navy Federal Credit Union concerts.

Partners

A new national music series by Navy Federal Credit Union is bringing global superstar and multi-platinum artist Kane Brown to Charleston, South Carolina, on May 8 — and it&#x27;s free for veterans and active military personnel.🎤 Why it&#x27;s important: Navy Federal Jams is designed to celebrate military service and bring communities together through shared experiences — a timely focus as the U.S. nears its 250th anniversary.<ul><li>In a region with deep military ties and strong country music roots, events like this offer a chance to come together and connect in meaningful ways.</li></ul>

Decatur shop keeps rare accordions alive and playing

A basement shop on a residential street in Decatur restores decades-old accordions.

News

In the downstairs workshop of a Decatur bungalow, Jack Brantley and Kyle Turner keep accordions from across the country bellowing and droning.Why it matters: Brantley and Turner run <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Accordionology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.accordionology.com/" data-vars-content-id="296b311a-1a66-470d-9950-2a28e9fdf5fc" data-vars-headline="Decatur shop keeps rare accordions alive and playing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.accordionology.com/" target="_blank">Accordionology</a>, a two-person, appointment-only business with decades of combined experience repairing and restoring the niche instruments.<ul><li>&quot;We are the only full-service accordion shop in the entire Southeast,&quot; Brantley, who lives upstairs with his wife and dogs, told Axios.</li></ul>

The Strokes, Wu-Tang Clan and Gorillaz lead Shaky Knees

The 3-day Piedmont Park festival returns with Gorillaz, Wu-Tang Clan and rising indie acts.

Music

Rising bands Geese and Fontaines D.C. will join legends LCD Soundsystem and Pavement and dozens of other acts at Shaky Knees in September.Why it matters: Now in its 13th year, the weekend festival stretching across multiple stages in Piedmont Park is one of the Southeast&#x27;s top music events.<ul><li>This year&#x27;s line-up is really solid.</li></ul>

SweetWater 420 Fest moves to new location for 2026

The Atlanta music festival will be held April 17–18, 2026 at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park.

Organizers of Atlanta&#x27;s SweetWater 420 Fest will once again move the popular festival to a larger location.Why it matters: The relocation to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park — the largest green space in the city with 280 acres — will allow organizers to attract more music lovers.

Drake boots Taylor Swift as Atlanta's top 2025 artist on Spotify

Atlanta was really feeling Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "luther" this year.

Atlantans have a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top music artist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-new-features" data-vars-content-id="b587eac7-6419-4cd3-ae7e-b961dcdedbad" data-vars-headline="Drake boots Taylor Swift as Atlanta&#x27;s top 2025 artist on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-new-features" target="_self">top music artist</a> on Spotify.Driving the news: Drake overtook Taylor Swift as the top artist streamed this year in Atlanta, bumping her from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top slot she held last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/12/05/atlanta-spotify-wrapped-taylor-swift" data-vars-content-id="b587eac7-6419-4cd3-ae7e-b961dcdedbad" data-vars-headline="Drake boots Taylor Swift as Atlanta&#x27;s top 2025 artist on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/12/05/atlanta-spotify-wrapped-taylor-swift" target="_self">top slot she held last year</a> to second place.<ul><li>Morgan Wallen comes in third, Bad Bunny ranks fourth and Kendrick Lamar rounds out the top 5.</li></ul>

Outkast's Rock Hall induction honors Atlanta's legacy and hip-hop roots

The duo was inducted during a ceremony at L.A.'s Peacock Theater on Nov. 8.

Los Angeles&#x27; Peacock Theater morphed into the Dirty South for Outkast&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame induction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/04/28/outkast-rock-n-roll-hall-of-fame" data-vars-content-id="211454f5-daf9-458d-828a-3a6f29fe34e8" data-vars-headline="Outkast&#x27;s Rock Hall induction honors Atlanta&#x27;s legacy and hip-hop roots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/04/28/outkast-rock-n-roll-hall-of-fame" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame induction</a> on Saturday night.Why it matters: The event highlighted the group&#x27;s influence on modern hip-hop, as well as Atlanta&#x27;s rich music history.

Your guide to Shaky Knees 2025 at Piedmont Park

First off, take MARTA or use the Atlanta Beltline. Please.

Shaky Knees, one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atlanta&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta" data-vars-content-id="24566a6d-728f-4c20-a3a2-397e5c5585d4" data-vars-headline="Your guide to Shaky Knees 2025 at Piedmont Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta" target="_self">Atlanta&#x27;s</a> heavyweight music festivals that brings something for every generation, comes to Piedmont Park this weekend.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Limited tickets remain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.shakykneesfestival.com/tickets" data-vars-content-id="24566a6d-728f-4c20-a3a2-397e5c5585d4" data-vars-headline="Your guide to Shaky Knees 2025 at Piedmont Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.shakykneesfestival.com/tickets" target="_blank">Limited tickets remain</a> for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weekend festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.shakykneesfestival.com/" data-vars-content-id="24566a6d-728f-4c20-a3a2-397e5c5585d4" data-vars-headline="Your guide to Shaky Knees 2025 at Piedmont Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.shakykneesfestival.com/" target="_blank">weekend festival</a> showcasing up-and-coming bands and rock legends.

Georgia ranks high in solo ticket sales

New SeatGeek data shows single-ticket sales are up as Gen Z prioritizes experiences over company.

Culture

Single-ticket purchases to concerts and professional <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sporting events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/13/la-olympics-world-cup-mega-decade" data-vars-content-id="d1351f37-4e4a-49ef-8d0b-2cf75208e45f" data-vars-headline="Georgia ranks high in solo ticket sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/13/la-olympics-world-cup-mega-decade" target="_self">sporting events</a> have steadily increased in recent years, according to data from SeatGeek.Why it matters: The ticket vendor says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gen Z" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/09/smiley-emoji-gen-z" data-vars-content-id="d1351f37-4e4a-49ef-8d0b-2cf75208e45f" data-vars-headline="Georgia ranks high in solo ticket sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/09/smiley-emoji-gen-z" target="_self">Gen Z</a> and younger millennials are prioritizing &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="experience-first" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/netflix-spotify-paramount-streaming-live-experiences" data-vars-content-id="d1351f37-4e4a-49ef-8d0b-2cf75208e45f" data-vars-headline="Georgia ranks high in solo ticket sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/netflix-spotify-paramount-streaming-live-experiences" target="_self">experience-first</a>&quot; spending habits, even if that means going solo.State of play: SeatGeek ranked U.S. states by the percentage of single, resale ticket purchases to concerts and the four major pro sports leagues within each state and shared its findings exclusively with Axios.Zoom In: In Georgia, solo purchases accounted for 15% of pro sports ticket sales, ranking around in the top 10 nationally.<ul><li>Georgians are apparently more sociable than most states when it comes to concerts, though — 30% of sales were single-ticket purchases, up from 2024.</li></ul>Context: The resale platform credits a greater availability of general admission seats sold at concerts as a factor.The bottom line: Fans don&#x27;t need company to be entertained.Thomas&#x27; thought bubble: I agree 100%. A 2018 solo trip to Austin to watch &quot;Koyaanisqatsi&quot; performed live by the Philip Glass Ensemble was a bucket-list item for me.

Here are the top 5 songs Atlanta listened to on Spotify this summer

According to Spotify data, this summer was the least danceable and lowest-energy summer for music.

Alex Warren&#x27;s &quot;Ordinary&quot; was the top song this summer for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spotify" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/spotify-user-numbers-investor-relations" data-vars-content-id="bd887a12-4e56-49bb-9e5c-863e8b06bfea" data-vars-headline="Here are the top 5 songs Atlanta listened to on Spotify this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/spotify-user-numbers-investor-relations" target="_self">Spotify</a> users in Atlanta.The big picture: According to Spotify data, summer 2025 was the least danceable and lowest-energy summer for music, based on the tempos, rhythm stability, beat strength, and overall regularity of its top tracks.

Beyoncé in Atlanta: How to get last-minute tickets

Beyhive members from all over the world will descend onto Atlanta over the weekend.

The moment for which you relinquished hundreds (or thousands) of dollars, splurged on the perfect outfit and memorized all of the songs has finally arrived in Atlanta.Why it matters: Beyoncé&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cowboy Carter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/02/03/grammy-awards-2025-beyonce-best-album-cowboy-carter" data-vars-content-id="2fc82726-00e2-402c-a194-67db502fd705" data-vars-headline="Beyoncé in Atlanta: How to get last-minute tickets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/02/03/grammy-awards-2025-beyonce-best-album-cowboy-carter" target="_self">Cowboy Carter</a> tour stop in Atlanta will occur over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="four days" data-vars-click-url="https://beyonce.com/tour" data-vars-content-id="2fc82726-00e2-402c-a194-67db502fd705" data-vars-headline="Beyoncé in Atlanta: How to get last-minute tickets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://beyonce.com/tour" target="_blank">four days</a> — Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday — at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Music

Pic du jour: Jazz Festival signature artwork unveiled

New concert series built to honor the military community

Decatur shop keeps rare accordions alive and playing

Atlanta rapper Jeezy unveils Las Vegas residency

The Strokes, Wu-Tang Clan and Gorillaz lead Shaky Knees