Noah Kahan & Hozier Brought the Northern Attitude to High Water Festival

Words & Photos by Sabrina Hamiti (@sabrinamariehamitiphotography)

To celebrate the start of spring music festivities, Digital Noise Mag had the privilege of attending the High Water Festival this past weekend on April 20-21 at North Charleston’s Riverfront Park. The festival quickly became one of the most anticipated music festivals in the region which was started in 2017 by the acclaimed group Shovels & Rope, a globally known band who originated in the Lowcountry.

To enter the festival it begins with a beautiful walk through the old oak trees draped in Spanish moss, along the Cooper River. Watching as the sailboats and pontoon boats pulled up and anchored down to listen from the water, while the land dwellers moved from stage to stage with ease. Despite the extreme heat on day one and the never ending rain of day two, all the artists took the stages as scheduled. Especially, the artists who still drew hundreds to thousands of people to come support their set such as Hozier, Noah Kahan, Fleet Foxes, and Briston Maroney!

Meanwhile beyond the music, the powerful scents of delicious local food vendors drifted through the air, offering attendees a wide range of options, from southern BBQ & boiled peanuts to gluten-free & vegan-friendly dishes. Some vendors even provided compostable cups and utensils, aligning with the festival’s strong focus on sustainability. Additionally, if you skipped out on the merch lines, festival-goers now have the opportunity to browse the back stock merchandise on the website for those who missed out!

Stepping onto the main stage on Day 1: Noah Kahan from a small town in Vermont, brought in one of the largest crowd that High Water has yet to see. (Which may have even caused unexpected issues with leaving the venue and parking lots at the end of Saturday night). This well-known folk singer-songwriter’s rise to fame began with the 2022 release of Stick Season, his third studio album, which became a viral sensation on TikTok. His setlist for this particular show featured favorites like “Everywhere, Everything” and “All My Love” from his album Stick Season, while also featuring an unreleased song, “The Great Divide”. Kicking off the night with his hit “Dial Drunk,” the crowd’s excitement was undeniable from start to finish, enthusiastically singing every word to every song.

Taking the main stage on Day 2: Hozier commanded a massive crowd of fans who eagerly gathered at the barricade despite the intense rain. Showcasing tracks from his latest album “Unreal Unearth,” including the popular record “Too Sweet” that gained pre-release traction on TikTok, making this his most anticipated song of the night. As the audience passionately sang along, Hozier’s skillful songwriting and calming presence captivated everyone in attendance. Concluding the evening with his iconic debut single, “Take Me to Church” (2013), which soared to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved multi-platinum status in numerous countries over the years, Hozier left a lasting impression on all who experienced his mesmerizing performance.