Festival season is ramping up for 2026 and got an early start with last weekend’s High Water Festival at Riverfront Park in Charleston, South Carolina. True to its name, Riverfront Park boasted incredible river views, surrounded by stunning southern greenery for the perfect backdrop to the weekend’s events. Saturday’s lineup included a wide variety of artists- from country to indie to rock, there was something for everyone to kick off the weekend.
Day one at High Water didn’t wait around to get going. By the time Winyah stepped on stage, the field was already filled in, with fans showing up early and settling in like they knew exactly how the day was supposed to unfold. There’s something about a hometown set that just feels right, and Winyah carried that ease into every song, playing with a confidence that comes from being on familiar ground.
Trousdale followed and instantly brightened the mood. Their harmonies are as sharp live as you’d hope, but it’s the way they move together and play off each other that really pulls you in. The whole set felt joyful and fully alive, the kind that makes you realize how early it still is in the day and how much is ahead.
The Runarounds kept that momentum going, stepping in with a set that felt built for a festival crowd. They’ve made the jump from TV to the stage without missing a beat, and it shows in how comfortably they hold attention. Nothing forced, just steady energy that keeps people right where they are.
Watchhouse shifted things inward for a moment, drawing the crowd a little closer without losing them. It felt grounded and intentional, like the pace of the day took a breath together before moving on.
That breath didn’t last long. Arcy Drive came in and kicked the energy right back up, bringing a restless, slightly chaotic edge that snapped people back to their feet. It felt loose, a little unpredictable, and exactly what the afternoon needed.
Lake Street Dive followed with a kind of effortless precision that made everything feel easy again. Rachael Price’s voice carried clean across the grounds while the band locked into a groove that felt both tight and relaxed. It’s the kind of set that makes a big festival feel personal for a minute.
Jensen McRae leaned into something softer but just as engaging, pulling people in with her storytelling and keeping them there. You could feel the shift, not quieter in a disengaged way, but more attentive. People weren’t drifting- they were listening.
By the time My Morning Jacket took over, the day opened back up. Their set stretched and expanded, turning the space into something immersive and full. It wasn’t just about hearing the songs, it was about getting wrapped up in them for a while.
Maren Morris stepped in with a set that felt both polished and easy, moving between fan favorites and newer songs from DREAMSICLE with a natural flow. She had the crowd with her the whole time, balancing familiarity with something fresh without it feeling like a shift.
Alabama Shakes closed the night in a way that felt earned. Brittany Howard’s voice carried across the field with that same raw power that never really needs explaining. The set felt full, grounded, and exactly like the kind of ending day one deserved.
Offstage, the festival had its own rhythm. The White Claw Shore Club and Wicked Weed tent stayed busy all day, easy go-to spots when the heat kicked in. The Mi CAMPO Boombox and BeatBox Party Pub leaned more interactive, pulling people in with something to do between sets instead of just somewhere to stand. The Montucky Cold Snacks Yeehaw Inn kept things light and a little chaotic in the best way, with cold beers and games that somehow always had a crowd gathered around. And when it was time to reset, the Electrolit Lounge gave people a place to cool off and keep going.
Food held its own, too. The lineup was stacked without being overwhelming, with spots like Island Noodles, Roti Rolls, Smash City Burgers, and King of Pops keeping people fed without pulling them too far from the music.
Day one never really dipped. It moved the way a good festival day should, building, breathing, and picking back up again without forcing anything. From the first hometown notes to the final set under the lights, High Water settled in early and stayed there.
