High Water Festival Set to Return in 2025: Local Music Lovers Await Improvements
North Charleston is buzzing with news about the highly anticipated High Water Festival, which is set to return on the weekend of April 26-27, 2025. After some uncertainty surrounding the festival’s future, fans can breathe a sigh of relief! However, this time around, the festival will go on without the beloved local duo, Shovels & Rope, the very artists who helped kick off this music extravaganza back in 2017.
Reflecting on the Past
The festival, which usually attracts around 15,000 attendees each day, faced quite a few hiccups during its last run in April 2024. Issues like locker break-ins, traffic snarls, and even a liquor license mix-up left many festival-goers feeling frustrated. The uncertainty after Shovels & Rope announced their departure earlier this year had many wondering what the future held.
Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, the duo behind Shovels & Rope, cited various reasons for stepping back, including rising costs and a shift from their core values that made the festival what it was. “We tried to make the environment a certain way and there was a sweet spot,” said Trent. “But unfortunately, just the state of the music festival business is what it is and isn’t something we want to be involved with anymore.”
Improvements on the Horizon
In a bid to reassure fans, the festival organizers took to social media to announce a series of changes aimed at tackling the problems of the past. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring that every aspect of the High Water Festival experience is top-notch.
The post included details about plans to address the traffic and parking debacles that left concert-goers waiting for hours. The festival team is collaborating with the city to streamline traffic plans, including working with experts to devise more efficient road closures. They are also promising improved pedestrian pathways, enhanced rideshare options, and a stronger parking staff to make the access to the festival as smooth as possible.
Community Reactions
As excited as many are about the festival’s return, the social media announcement was met with a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. Some users expressed concerns about ticket prices, improved water stations, and even requested better WiFi access. A few nostalgic festival-goers shared their experiences of walking long distances just to find a ride home.
“Riverfront Revival seems to have worked it out just fine,” one commenter noted, referencing Darius Rucker’s annual music festival held at the same venue. Others seemed hopeful that the organizers will indeed follow through with their promised improvements, stating they would consider attending again if things looked more promising.
A New Era for High Water
With the departure of Shovels & Rope, the future of the High Water Festival seems to be entering a new chapter. The festival remains a beloved staple for music lovers in the Charleston area, and the lineup for 2025 is set to be announced on November 12. While tickets are not yet available, the anticipation is already building. Will next year mark a massive comeback for this fantastic music event? Only time will tell!
For more information as it unfolds, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the festival’s official channels. Mark your calendars for the end of April 2025 because High Water Festival is ready to make waves once again!
