Festivals
High Water Festival 2025 – Day 2 Recap & Photos
Riverfront Park, North Charleston – April 27, 2025
Day Two of High Water Festival rolled in under clouds, but the rain stayed away and the vibe stayed strong. The festival settled into its rhythm, with smaller crowds than past years and a slightly more relaxed pace. That worked in its favor as there was space to roam, time to eat some BBQ, and plenty of great music from start to finish.
Throughout the weekend, the festival staff was very polite, helpful, and on top of things. The festival included VIP and VIP Platinum viewing areas and lounges, as well as regular GA pits, food trucks, and bars.
ETHAN TASCH
Ethan Tasch had a midday slot and a growing crowd. There’s a definite Mt. Joy-adjacent vibe. Tasch didn’t try to be flashy. Instead, he leaned into sincerity, clean guitar, and smart lyrics. It was an easy set to fall into if you were grabbing a beer and needed a soundtrack for your sunburn.
GIGI PEREZ
Gigi Perez is about to blow up (she already has to be honest). The energy at her set felt louder and a little more intense. Fans were there early, singing everything. Some were even in tears. Perez has the kind of voice that cuts right through, with no filter. This might be the smallest stage she ever plays again. People were taking notes!
THE WAR AND TREATY
As usual, Michael and Tanya Trotter were electric. The War and Treaty can flip a crowd from laid-back to shouting in under a minute. Michael didn’t stay seated at the keyboard for long, and Tanya’s voice could probably carry across the Cooper River unaided. “Hey Driver” got the biggest response (after all, everyone knows that one), but the new material landed strong too. Their chemistry onstage is undeniable and a pleasure to watch.
WILD RIVERS
Wild Rivers brought sunset vibes even when the sun wasn’t out. The Canadian trio was tight, polished, and charming. They’ve clearly been doing this for a while, and it shows. Harmonies hit right, and their JUNO cred felt fully deserved. They handled the big stage like pros, and the crowd was into it.
TRUMPLED BY TURTLES
A little bit of bluegrass chaos in the middle of a mostly-indie lineup can be a great thing. Trampled by Turtles came in hot and played like they were being chased. “Codeine” got the biggest reaction. They don’t slow down, and the crowd didn’t want them to. People were jumping like it was a punk show.
WAXAHATCHEE
Katie Crutchfield brought her full band and didn’t hold back. Compared to her recent duo sets, this one was louder and more playful. She was funny between songs, and the sound was sharp. It wasn’t a showstopper, but it was a solid, grounded set.
COUNTING CROWS
Counting Crows brought a little time travel to the Stono stage. Adam Duritz still sings like he’s building the song in real time. “Round Here” opened the set, and from there they hit plenty of old favorites. None of them sounded quite like the studio versions which is all due to Duritz’ talent. His voice wandered and improvised often, and it worked. The band behind him sounded great, adding to the experience.
FILPTURN
Flipturn is in its stride and they knows it. They’re playing like they’ve got something to prove. Dillon Basse spun around like he was plugged into the amps, while Mitch Fountain made the constant guitar-to-keys swaps look easy. The fan base is already hardcore, and this set probably added a few hundred more.
ARCADE FIRE
Canadian band Arcade Fire is a spectacle. They had nine people on stage, all bouncing between instruments, trading vocals, and building sound. “The Suburbs” and “Ready to Start” got loud singalongs, but “Pink Elephant” and “Rebellion (Lies)” were the real stunners. Régine Chassagne was all over the stage on violin, keys, drums, and vocals. Her duet with Win Butler (who dipped into the crowd at some point) during “Pink Elephant” was both intimate and sweet. It was an absolutely packed closer to the festival. The crowd didn’t move an inch until the last note rang out.
The vibe of High Water Festival may have slightly changed, but the bones are still good. There are more national sponsors, fewer local booths, but the music is still the anchor. Day Two was a little less rowdy and a little more reflective than Day One, and it was still 100% worth showing up for. We can’t wait for High Water Festival 2026!
Head to our Facebook page for the full Day Two gallery!
All Photo Credit: Lane Bickett
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Release Daily Schedules
The set times are in. Governors Ball Music Festival just dropped its daily schedules for June 5–7, and the usual game begins: mapping your day, picking your battles, and accepting you can’t see everything.
Friday, June 5
Day one leans indie-pop into rap by night. Lorde closes the main stage at 8:30, opposite the tail end of Baby Keem(7:30–8:30). That’s your first big call: polished pop spectacle or Keem’s high-energy set.
Earlier, things get messy in a good way. KATSEYE (6:35–7:30) overlaps with Pierce the Veil (5:30–6:30) bleed, and The Beths (6:00–7:00) sit right in between. Indie fans will feel that pinch.
Midday conflicts are lighter, but The Dare (4:00–4:45) vs. Arcy Drive (3:30–4:15) creates a small fork in the road.
If you’re pacing yourself, the cleanest run is late afternoon into Mariah the Scientist (4:45–5:30), then pick your lane.
Saturday, June 6
Saturday is the most chaotic on paper. Stray Kids headline at 8:30, directly after Kali Uchis (7:30–8:30). That transition is smooth if you stay put.
The real trouble hits earlier. Major Lazer (6:30–7:30) collides with Blood Orange (5:30–6:30) and the start of Amyl and the Sniffers (7:30–8:30). Dancehall vs. alt-R&B vs. punk. Pick a mood and commit.
Mid-card is stacked with clashes: Ravyn Lenae (4:00–4:45) overlaps with Jane Remover (3:30–4:15), and Snow Strippers (4:45–5:30) runs right into Wet Leg (4:45–5:30). That last one is a true coin flip, two buzzy acts at the exact same time.
Sunday, June 7
Sunday might be the strongest day top to bottom. A$AP Rocky closes at 8:45, opposite the end of JENNIE (7:45–8:45) and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (7:45–8:45). That’s the toughest final hour of the weekend.
The lead-up is just as tight. Dominic Fike (6:45–7:45) overlaps with Clipse (5:45–6:45) and Hot Mulligan (6:15–7:15). Three different crowds, same window.
Earlier, Japanese Breakfast (4:00–4:45) and Holly Humberstone (3:15–4:00) form a nice back-to-back if you stay mobile, but Between Friends (2:30–3:15) cuts into that flow.
The takeaway
Friday is manageable. Saturday is conflict-heavy. Sunday is stacked late.
If you hate missing songs, plan short splits. If you want full sets, accept you’ll miss something big. That’s part of the deal, and honestly, half the fun.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts Announce 2026 Lineup
Vancouver’s summer concert calendar is locking into place. The annual Summer Night Concerts are set to return to the Pacific National Exhibition from August 22 through September 7, bringing live music back to one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.
This year carries a bit more weight than usual. The series will debut at the brand-new Freedom Mobile Arch, a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre built for large-scale performances. The venue promises better sightlines, improved sound, and a more immersive setup for fans. It’s a major shift for the fair, which spent much of last year dealing with construction that limited its footprint and contributed to a drop in attendance.
Now, with the full site back in action, organizers are aiming for a reset. The 2026 lineup leans into that idea, mixing legacy acts with newer names across genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic.
Headliners include Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, and Zedd, alongside artists like Mt. Joy, Train, and Barenaked Ladies. Special performances include Cynthia Erivo backed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearances from Punjabi Virsa, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George & Culture Club.
The full schedule runs nightly:
- Aug. 22: Blue Rodeo
- Aug. 23: The Guess Who
- Aug. 25: The Beaches
- Aug. 26: Nelly
- Aug. 27: Zedd
- Aug. 28: Mt. Joy
- Aug. 29: Cynthia Erivo with VSO
- Aug. 30: Punjabi Virsa
- Sept. 1: Train
- Sept. 2: Barenaked Ladies
- Sept. 3: Weird Al Yankovic
- Sept. 4: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sept. 5: Pierce the Veil
- Sept. 6: Sarah McLachlan
- Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club
Tickets start at $49 plus fees and include admission to the PNE Fair. Presale began April 19, with general on-sale launching April 20 through TicketLeader.
New venue, full fairgrounds, and a lineup that leans both nostalgic and current. After a quieter year, the PNE looks ready to feel busy again.