High Water Festival is bringing another weekend of music, food and waterfront atmosphere to South Carolina in 2027, with JACK JOHNSON and MT. JOY announced as headliners for its ninth edition. Joining them are DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE, THE REVIVALISTS and THE HEAD AND THE HEART, alongside a strong supporting bill that promises plenty for fans of indie rock, folk and alternative music.
The festival returns to Riverfront Park in North Charleston on 17th and 18th April 2027, bringing two days of live performances to a picturesque setting on the banks of the Cooper River. With 20 acts spread across two stages and no overlapping sets, High Water is offering something that has become increasingly appealing to festivalgoers: the chance to see every artist on the programme without having to choose between competing performances.
JACK JOHNSON AND MT. JOY LEAD THE BILL
Multi platinum singer songwriter JACK JOHNSON will bring his laid back blend of acoustic rock, folk and surf inspired songwriting to the waterfront, providing a perfect soundtrack for a spring weekend in South Carolina. His relaxed sound and familiar songs should fit naturally into the festival’s outdoor setting.
Joining him at the top of the bill are MT. JOY, whose rise through the American indie folk scene has been driven by melodic songwriting, energetic live shows and an ever growing following. Together, the two headliners offer contrasting but complementary sounds, setting the tone for a festival that values atmosphere and musical discovery as much as big name performances.
There is plenty more to get excited about, too. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE bring decades of influential indie rock to the line up, while RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE offer their distinctive mix of alternative rock and genre bending pop. THE REVIVALISTS will add their soulful, New Orleans influenced sound, and THE HEAD AND THE HEART return with the harmony rich folk rock that has earned them a loyal following.
The wider bill includes OLE 60, CONGRESS THE BAND, MAT KEARNEY, FINN WOLFHARD, GOLDFORD, WEST 22ND, MO LOWDA & THE HUMBLE, ALYSSA GRACE, HAZLETT, MARLON FUNAKI, PENELOPE ROAD, AX AND THE HATCHETMEN, ANGELA AUTUMN and SUSANNAH JOFFE.
It is a line up that balances established favourites with emerging talent, giving fans the opportunity to catch familiar names while discovering artists who could soon be playing much bigger stages.
A FESTIVAL BUILT AROUND MORE THAN MUSIC
High Water has developed its own identity on the American festival calendar by combining carefully selected artists with a relaxed waterfront setting and a strong focus on food and drink. Rather than relying solely on enormous stages and blockbuster productions, the event puts the emphasis on the overall experience.
Between performances, festivalgoers can head to The Refuge, where local and regional food businesses serve up a selection of flavours from across the area. Craft beer and cocktails are also part of the offering, alongside festival and artist merchandise.
That combination of live music, local food and Southern hospitality has helped High Water establish a distinctive character. Its 2026 edition earned a nomination for Music Festival of the Year in Pollstar’s global category for festivals with fewer than 30,000 attendees, recognition that reflects its standing as a carefully curated event with a strong sense of place.
For 2027, the return to Riverfront Park should once again provide a memorable backdrop, with views across the Cooper River adding to the appeal of a festival that feels as much about spending time outdoors with friends as it does about watching bands.
With Jack Johnson, Mt. Joy, Death Cab for Cutie and a host of other artists confirmed, High Water is shaping up to be an appealing spring getaway for music lovers looking for a festival with a little more personality and a little less chaos.
Two stages, no clashes, great food and a scenic waterfront location make for a tempting combination. Add a line up that moves between indie rock, folk and alternative sounds, and Charleston has another strong reason to welcome music fans next April.
High Water Festival 2027 takes place on 17th and 18th April at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Would you choose High Water for the line up, the food and drink, or the chance to enjoy a music festival beside the river?
If you are looking for a place to stay for High Water Festival 2027 then check out our interactive accommodation map below. Just add in the dates you want to stay and you will be able to see what’s available nearby.
If you also need to find a flight to get you there, try our flight search feature below! Simply add in your home and destination city, select the dates you want to travel and search away!
