Login

High Water Festival 2025 lineup will drop on Tuesday, November 12th.

Any predictions for this year?

The festival confirmed they will make improvements to the parking situation.

Shovels & Rope are no longer involved.

It will be interesting to see how things unfold.

If you missed it, here is my review of the 2024 event: https://extrachill.com/how-high-water-festival-could-do-more-for-charleston-sc

here is the 2025 High Water lineup

initial impression – i think it’s stronger than last year’s lineup, especially the headliners

only one local band. Easy Honey deserves it tho, they have been hustling

interested to hear what other people think

What happened to S & R?? Could’ve tossed in a few small-print locals. Great big headliners tho. Will definitely draw a crowd. 🚦🚦🚦 Hope no rain

Here’s the bit from Kalyn’s interview with Shovels & Rope for the Post & Courier where they discussed leaving High Water Festival:

Why Did Shovels & Rope Leave High Water Festival?

One way in which the business has shifted has to do with the music festival circuit. While Hearst and Trent never owned High Water Festival, they helped create it and were an integral part of artist curation for the annual showcase at North Charleston’s Riverfront Park. Earlier this year, they announced they’d be stepping away from the event put on by Live Nation.

“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.”

Hearst added that it got so big, costs ballooned and it stopped reflecting their values. As far as they know, though, the festival will go on next year without them.

“I would love to see Live Nation, as awesome as they are when we work with them, that monopoly busted up,” added Hearst. “There are local independent venues like the Pour House, which we love, struggling against this mega corporation. And every single one of us has to do business with them.”

While they help support “some of the greatest stagehands” and other talented and much-needed workers across the industry, Hearst said she’d love to see a more “naturally capitalistic and competitive situation” in Charleston, especially.

“Our city is really small, but it’s got big culture and big tourism … and it’s disproportionately talented,” she said. “There’s some incredible art, incredible young people doing incredible things. We want to see that scene continue to thrive.”

@jollymonster

This wasn’t a widely publicized interview and it was buried at the end.

High Water Festival is such trash compared to 90% of other music festivals.

They bank on the fact that Charleston has money and all of the yuppies will buy the tickets no matter what, because it’s the cool thing to do.

It was way better before the pandemic.

Now, without Shovels & Rope, and Live Nation fully in control, I expect it will continue to get worse.

#fucklivenation

High Water 2025 Schedule is out now

Saturday, April 26th:

Sunday, April 27th:

I’m personally really excited about High Water 2025! I absolutely love Flipturn and Mt. Joy <3

I was way more of a fan of Noah Kahan and Hozier last year, but this lineup has enough that I love to bring me back again!

It’s getting close now, can’t wait!!!!!

I didn’t make it to High Water this year.

How was it?

Best / worst sets?

Any hot takes?

@chubes

the only thing that mattered to me was julien baker closing her set out with jason molina’s “farewell transmission”

got a free ticket so i went Saturday but honestly- the booking’s embarrassing- especially considering the amazing week of music that lead up to it.

Anyway- least we got dog daze to look forward to.

New to this community. Went both days to high water.

big positives: the new bridge entrance was wonderful and made entrance/ egress a snap. My highlights were Arcade Fire “Sprawl,” flipturn’s energy was palpable along with a perfect set, trampled by turtles brought it hard. Impressive artists, and beautiful, breezy weather. Spectacular two days.

not so positive:

The sound at Edisto stage needs re-work. They should strongly consider a smaller tree-covered area for the smaller acts to eliminate staring into sun, poor sound dispersion and general lack of intimacy. I know it’s a festival but they could do so much to improve that stage area. Julien Baker and Torres’ and Joy Oladokun’s sets suffered from it. Flipturn had it after sunset and it was a blazing performance. Impressive.

 

@rconley88 I heard Flipturn’s set was great! @qrisg mentioned that to me. I’ve never been a huge Flipturn fan but I also haven’t seen them since probably 2018-2019. They played at Royal a few times back in the day!

Glad you had a great time at the Fest and thanks so much for joining the community.

Here are some photos from High Water 2025 on our photographer’s instagram pages

The Backseat Lovers (@marenmcgphoto)

the rest from @gracekreiderphoto

Easy Honey

Joy Oladokun

Julien Baker & Torres

Mt. Joy

More to follow!

I had a wonderful time at High Water Fest this year. I went back yet again with my wife, i don’t know how many times it’s been now.

Personally i was not happy about how they fence off all the VIP areas with so many tiers of separation. It takes away from the music itself. That seems to be more prevalent every year, but it is what it is.

But in terms of being a fun time, I can say that my wife and I both enjoyed this year’s festival and all of the bookings played nice music to my ears.

This event is a great way for me to keep up with music as i keep getting older. I just can’t go out to these late night shows anymore!

P.S. i really enjoy the forum redesign. keep up the good work, @chubes!

I had so much fun at High Water! My favorite set was The Backseat Lovers. Their set was so emotionally moving. Flipturn was also amazing!

The parking was a lot better this year too. They definitely made some improvements overall!

Can’t wait to see next year’s lineup!

Here is Extra Chill’s official review of High Water 2025. Written by Grace Kreider. With photos from Grace and Maren:

High Water Festival 2025 (Photos + Review)

Cheers everybody. Looking forward to next year’s lineup drop and hope to make it back to Charleston for the show.