May 17, 2025

High Water Festival Transitions to New Management

News Summary

Charleston’s High Water Festival will see its seventh edition with a shift in management from founders Shovels & Rope to C3 Entertainment. Set for April 26-27, 2025, the festival aims to enhance attendee experience by soliciting feedback through a poll. Featuring over 20 diverse artists, including Mount Joy and Arcade Fire, ticket prices range from $140 to $1,750. Improvements include better access, cashless transactions, and new logistical measures in response to previous challenges. Organizers strive to maintain local cultural elements despite noticeable attendance declines.

Charleston is gearing up for the seventh edition of the High Water Festival, set to take place on April 26-27, 2025, at North Charleston’s Riverfront Park. This year marks a significant transition as the festival will not be organized by its founders, the folk duo Shovels & Rope, but will instead be managed by C3 Entertainment, a subsidiary of Live Nation. This shift in management is expected to bring new ideas and enhancements to the event.

To better cater to fans, festival organizers have released a poll to past attendees, asking for feedback on a variety of topics including preferred music genres, artists, the potential for additional weekends, and pricing for upgraded experiences. This initiative aims to ensure that the festival continues to resonate with its audience and remains a highlight on the local cultural calendar.

This year’s lineup is promising and diverse, featuring over 20 artists including popular acts such as Mount Joy, Arcade Fire, and Counting Crows. Folk enthusiasts can anticipate performances from artists like Lord Huron and Amos Lee, making for a rich musical experience that reflects the festival’s Lowcountry roots.

General admission tickets are priced at $225 for the weekend, while single-day access can be purchased for $140. For attendees looking for enhanced experiences, premium packages labeled GA+ start at $425, while VIP and Platinum tickets range from $745 to $1,750.

In response to logistical issues encountered in previous years, festival organizers are implementing several improvements. Access will now include the Noisette Pedestrian Bridge, aimed at reducing congestion at entry points. Although free parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, attendees should note that there will not be a shuttle service this year.

In addition, to aid in the recovery of lost mobile phones, a special wallpaper featuring a QR code will be utilized. This will allow scanners to access the owner’s contact information, enhancing the overall festival experience. Attendees will be permitted to bring only small purses, fanny packs, or clear bags, and the event will operate on a cashless basis. For those needing to store personal items, lockers will be available for rent on-site.

As Charleston’s springtime weather can be unpredictable, festivalgoers are encouraged to prepare by bringing essentials such as sunscreen, hats, bug spray, refillable water bottles, and blankets for seating. However, large bags and chairs will not be allowed within the festival grounds.

Despite the changes in management, the festival aims to maintain its local flavor by including trivia questions projected on video screens and collaborating with the local magazine Garden & Gun. However, a notable decline in attendance has been observed this year, attributed in part to logistical challenges experienced during last year’s event, including issues with transportation and liquor licensing.

The High Water Festival continues to strive to provide a unique experience that reflects the spirit of the Lowcountry, even as it faces changes and let-go of some of the original culinary experiences that once set it apart. The picturesque backdrop of Riverfront Park is expected to enhance the ambiance of this beloved celebration, ensuring that attendees will enjoy not only the music but the scenic surroundings as well.

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Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON

The CHARLESTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREcharleston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charleston, Charleston County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the MOJA Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Museum, plus leading businesses in tourism and maritime industries that power the local economy such as South Carolina Ports Authority and the Charleston Visitor Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.