Riverfront Park, North Charleston – April 26, 2025

Set against the tranquil backdrop of Riverfront Park in North Charleston, South Carolina, the 8th Annual High Water Festival, presented by AC Entertainment and C3CO, was a radiant celebration of music and community. Held on April 26th and 27th, the festival once again transformed springtime in Charleston into an unforgettable weekend.

High Water Festival continued its mission of giving back. A portion of its proceeds each year is donated to support the Green Heart Project, reinforcing its commitment to giving back to the local community.

High Water Festival 2025 kicked off its first day under clear skies and with a slightly different energy this year. With Shovels & Rope stepping away from curating duties, and Live Nation now running the show, it’s safe to say a few things felt more corporate, more polished. But the real star of High Water has always been the music, and on that front, Day One delivered.

EVAN HONER

Evan Honer opened the day with the type of set that sneaks up on you. Just a guy with a guitar and a low-key charm, but the crowd kept inching closer as the songs unfolded. His voice carries a kind of weary honesty, and it worked perfectly in the early afternoon. He’s not flashy, but he doesn’t need to be. For anyone still finishing their coffee, Honer offered a gentle but solid wake-up call.

MEDIUM BUILD

Medium Build might have looked like your friend’s older cousin who smokes and owns a Subaru, but his set was raw, honest, and cut deep. He had the Stono crowd silent one moment and shouting lyrics the next, especially “White Male Privilege.” His lyrics that landed like a gut punch and his performance that felt like therapy. A standout moment early in the day.

JOY OLADOKUN

Joy Oladokun brought a whole lot of heart to the Edisto stage. Her mix of folk, soul, and sharp storytelling struck a chord with the crowd, who were already halfway in before she sang a note. Oladokun’s stage banter is warm and a funny, like talking to a friend. Many songs drew loud cheers, but the quieter moments were the ones that lingered. She made a big space feel small in the best way.

AMOS LEE

Amos Lee eased into the early evening with a set that felt like a warm breeze. His smooth and soulful voice carried over the park like a well-worn record. The crowd didn’t shout much, but they leaned in and swayed along to “Sweet Pea.” He’s got that calm stage presence that sneaks up on you with no big moments, but consistently good ones. With High Water Festival leaning heavy on indie and roots rock, Lee’s soulful blend added a nice dose of grown-up charm.

JULIEN BAKER & TORRES

The pairing of Julien Baker and TORRES was magnetic. Their set moved between Baker’s stripped-back storytelling and TORRES’ heavier genre-bending sound. When they harmonized, it was like watching two sides of the same coin click into place. “Off the Wagon” opened the set with a little twang and a lot of attitude. “Tuesday” brought things down in the best way. “Sugar in the Tank” reminded everyone just how powerful a simple chorus can be when it’s coming from two people who mean every word.

MT. JOY

Mt. Joy has festival sets down to a science without sounding tired. They wasted no time getting the crowd moving with “Coyote” and leaned into the ful energy of their sound. Guitarist Sam Cooper was clearly having a blast, and Jackie Miclau on keys added layers that took “Dirty Love” and “Silver Lining” into full singalong territory. Joy Oladokun even joined them on stage for “Astrovan.” The band’s 13-song set somehow flew by, and frontman Matt Quinn apologized for having to cut it short. They are a band that feels like they could play all night.

THE BACKSEAT LOVERS

The Backseat Lovers got one of the biggest receptions of the day, and not just from the sad indie kids. Fans screamed every word to “Growing/Dying.” The band energy is anxious and infectious at the same time, and frontman Joshua Harmon walks the line between laid-back and totally wired. “Maple Syrup” gave the set some breathing room, but by then the crowd was already locked in.

LORD HURON

Headliner Lord Huron brought the drama. Their set was theatrical without being cheesy, and dreamy without losing its grip. “Meet Me in the Woods” opened with Ben Schneider swaying his hips and channeling something close to a haunted lounge singer. They even played unreleased track “Bag of Bones” that hinted at a darker direction. They closed with a four-song encore, including a soaring “Wait by the River.” Lord Huron built a little universe for this set and it was the perfect ending for Day One.

Day One set a high bar. The staging was clean, the crowds were manageable, and the sound held up (minus a few minor issues). The music did most of the talking.

Head to our Facebook page for the full Day One gallery!

All Photo Credit: Lane Bickett