Annapolis Guitarist Adam Hurt to Lead Boston Band Sophies Body at Sold-Out Shaky Knees Festival

Annapolis native Adam Hurt, a recent Berklee College of Music graduate, will perform as lead guitarist for Boston‑based band Sophie’s Body at the sold‑out Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The appearance places Hurt and the group on the bill of one of the country’s largest rock festivals, where they will share a stage with acts such as Twenty One Pilots, My Chemical Romance, Deftones, The Prodigy and Pavement.

Hurt grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, and earned a degree in contemporary music performance from Berklee in Boston. He joined Sophie’s Body in the fall of 2023, after the band had already begun to build a following in the Boston independent music scene. The four‑piece describes its sound as “bubble‑grunge,” a blend of distorted guitars and melodic hooks that the band has showcased on its 2025 EP Mandatory Girl and subsequent singles “Eyes,” “Indigo” and “Star.” According to the band’s website, the EP contains five tracks, including “LASH” and “Baby Don’t You (Baby).”

Sophie’s Body’s lineup consists of vocalist‑guitarist Sophie McMinn, drummer Dylan Hughes, bassist‑backing vocalist Harry Van Der Meer, and Hurt on lead guitar. The group has performed regularly in Boston venues and has been featured on local radio, including a recent interview with Northeastern University’s WRBB station.

The Shaky Knees Festival, held from September 18‑20 at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, is a multi‑day event that has been a staple of the city’s music calendar since 2013. The 2026 edition is sold out, according to the festival’s official website. The lineup includes more than 60 acts, with Saturday’s set featuring high‑profile names such as Twenty One Pilots, The Prodigy, Pavement, Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday.

Sophie’s Body’s appearance is part of the Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI) Live program, which connects students with emerging artists to provide real‑world experience in artist development, marketing and festival logistics. The institute selected the band as one of eight emerging acts in its 2026 cohort, assigning them to represent BPMI at Shaky Knees. The program’s structure spans three semesters, beginning with artist selection and team formation, followed by development work on social media, budgeting and merchandise. In the final semester, students rehearse with the artists and travel with them to manage promotion, production and tour logistics.

BPMI alumni have gone on to work at major industry companies such as Live Nation, Spotify, Universal Music Group, Capitol Records, Creative Artists Agency and YouTube. The Shaky Knees engagement offers both performers and behind‑the‑scenes students a chance to experience the demands of a large festival stage.

For Hurt, the opportunity represents a significant step from local gigs to a national platform. In a recent interview, he noted that playing in Boston’s diverse music community has broadened his perspective and prepared him for larger audiences.

The festival’s sold‑out status and high‑profile lineup underscore the importance of the event for emerging artists. By performing alongside internationally known acts, Sophie’s Body will gain exposure to a wider audience and industry professionals.

The band will perform on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Piedmont Park, following the festival’s schedule posted on the Shaky Knees website. The performance will be part of a lineup that includes Twenty One Pilots, Pierce the Veil, The Prodigy, Pavement, Jimmy Eat World, Blood Orange and Taking Back Sunday.

In summary, Adam Hurt’s role as lead guitarist for Sophie’s Body at Shaky Knees marks a milestone in his career, linking his Annapolis roots, Berklee education and Boston music scene to a major national festival. The band’s participation, supported by BPMI, positions them for broader recognition within the alternative and rock music community.