Festivals
High Water Festival 2025 – Day 1 Recap & Photos
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
Festivals
Osheaga 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule
The annual ritual every Osheaga fan both loves and dreads has arrived. The festival has officially unveiled its daily schedule for the 2026 edition, giving attendees their first look at who will be playing when across Parc Jean-Drapeau from July 31 to August 2.
As always, the release of set times brings excitement, anticipation, and plenty of scheduling headaches. With major headliners, breakout stars, indie favourites, and hometown talent spread across six stages, fans will once again be forced to make some difficult decisions throughout the weekend.
Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest moments and potential conflicts from each day.
Friday, July 31
Friday eases festival-goers into the weekend before building toward a stacked evening lineup led by Twenty One Pilots, The XX, and The Neighbourhood on the Bell River Stage.
The day begins with performances from Super Plage, Wunderhorse, Wet Leg, and Moses Belanger before momentum picks up in the afternoon. One of the first notable clashes arrives when Kehlani takes the Mountain Stage while Amber Mark performs on the Forest Stage and Billie Marten appears on the Valley Stage.
The evening presents some particularly difficult choices. Fans of alternative rock will have to decide between The XX and rising Japanese sensation YOASOBI, whose set overlaps with portions of the night.
Another major conflict comes later when Brutalismus 3000 and JID perform simultaneously. Those looking for a high-energy electronic experience may head toward the Coca-Cola Stage, while hip-hop fans will likely be making a run toward the Valley Stage.
The festival’s opening night closes with Twenty One Pilots on the main stage, while Geese and Amelie Lens provide compelling alternatives elsewhere across the site.
Friday Highlights
- Twenty One Pilots
- The XX
- The Neighbourhood
- Kehlani
- YOASOBI
- JID
- Amelie Lens
- Wet Leg
- Wunderhorse
- Geese
Saturday, August 1
Saturday may feature the weekend’s most relentless run of performances from top to bottom.
The day starts with sets from Baby Nova, Wolf Parade, Stella Lefty, Laura Scavo, and Fanclubwallet before quickly transitioning into a packed afternoon. Fans of indie and alternative music will have several choices throughout the day, including Villager, Kingfishr, and AJ Tracey.
One of the day’s biggest talking points will be the overlap between Little Simz, followed by Franz Ferdinand’s set. Both artists are expected to draw large crowds and appeal to different corners of the Osheaga audience.
As night falls, things only get tougher. Punk fans will likely gravitate toward Viagra Boys and Turnstile, while electronic fans may be tempted by Odd Mob and Kettama. Meanwhile, indie pop fans will be trying to squeeze in as much of Sombr as possible before heading to the main stage.
The evening culminates with Canadian pop superstar Tate McRae closing the Bell River Stage, while electronic powerhouse Empire of the Sun headlines the Forest Stage.
Saturday Highlights
- Tate McRae
- Empire of the Sun
- Turnstile
- Franz Ferdinand
- Little Simz
- Viagra Boys
- Wolf Parade
- AJ Tracey
- Sombr
- Kettama
Sunday, August 2
The festival’s final day delivers arguably the strongest collection of pop talent across the entire weekend.
Things begin with Valley, Amble, Between Friends, and Tia Wood before the afternoon ramps up with performances from Mother Mother, Paris Paloma, Billie du Page, and Of Monsters and Men.
One of the biggest scheduling dilemmas of the weekend arrives during the evening stretch. Fans hoping to catch Zara Larsson, SG Lewis, and Gunna will need to carefully plan their route through the grounds, as several of the performances overlap.
The night’s final run is packed with major draws. Lorde headlines the Bell River Stage while Major Lazer closes the Forest Stage. At the same time, electronic fans can head to Space 92’s special Popof-presented Turbo Recordings set, while alternative music fans may find themselves torn between Not For Radio, Horsegiirl, and Subtronics.
Sunday offers a fitting finale to what looks like one of Osheaga’s most diverse lineups in recent memory.
Sunday Highlights
- Lorde
- Major Lazer
- Zara Larsson
- Gunna
- SG Lewis
- Mother Mother
- Of Monsters and Men
- Paris Paloma
- Valley
- Horsegiirl
Start Planning Now
With the daily schedule now available, fans can finally begin mapping out their weekends and preparing for the inevitable conflicts that come with a lineup this deep.
Whether you’re heading to Parc Jean-Drapeau for the headliners, discovering your next favourite artist, or trying to sprint between stages to catch a little bit of everything, Osheaga 2026 is shaping up to deliver another unforgettable weekend in Montreal.
Tickets and additional festival information are available through the official Osheaga website.
Festivals
Riot Fest 2026 Brings Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, and Twenty One Pilots to Chicago
Chicago’s beloved punk and alternative festival, Riot Fest, is back with another stacked lineup for 2026. The three-day event returns to Douglass Park from September 18-20, bringing together more than 100 artists across punk, rock, indie, metal, and alternative music.
Leading this year’s lineup are Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, Twenty One Pilots, and Pierce the Veil. The festival continues its tradition of mixing legendary names with newer acts and cult favorites.
Other major artists on the bill include Patti Smith and her band, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Santigold, Pixies, Rise Against, Bad Religion, Taking Back Sunday, Social Distortion, The All-American Rejects, and Bright Eyes.
Fans of heavier and more chaotic sets will have plenty to look forward to with appearances from GWAR, Chat Pile, Melt-Banana, and Insane Clown Posse. Riot Fest is also bringing together punk history with performances from Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter and Public Image Ltd.
The festival’s deep lineup stretches far beyond the headliners, with artists such as Pennywise, Descendents, Iggy Pop, Mom Jeans, The Format, Twin Peaks, Algernon Cadwallader, This Is Lorelei, and Jejune set to perform throughout the weekend.
Last year’s edition marked Riot Fest’s 20th anniversary, featuring returning favorites such as Green Day, Blink-182, and Weezer. This year’s lineup keeps that same mix of nostalgia, chaos, and genre-spanning energy that has made Riot Fest one of North America’s most recognizable alternative festivals.
Three-day passes are on sale now, including general admission, VIP, and deluxe ticket packages. Payment plan options are available for fans looking to spread out the cost of the weekend.
More information at riotfest.org.