The 2019 High Water Festival in North Charleston, South Carolina’s Riverfront Park concluded on Sunday night. In their 3rd year, Shovels and Rope’s tasteful representation of the Lowcountry’s music and culture has refined itself as a breathing illustration of the region.

High Water Festival is not a camping festival, it’s not a place you’ll find late-night super jams or night crawlers snagging ground scores. Instead, you’ll find an 11:30 am brunch curated by Charleston’s best chefs, a playground equipped for a family-friendly environment, local craft brews, and a showcase of folk, country, and soul from 12:30 pm to 10:30 pm. High Water Festival is a portrayal of the Lowcountry’s attitude; charming and soulful, with some grit to sharpen its coastal edge.

If you’re not familiar with the festival leaders, Shovels and Rope is a Charleston-based husband-and-wife duo made up of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent. Since 2008, they have brought a fresh approach to folk and soul music. Their songs are about everything from romance, great dogs, shucking oysters, and the personality of the South Carolina coast. Teamed with manager Paul Bannister, AC Entertainment, and their sponsors, Shovels and Rope were able to give 30% of proceeds to Charleston Waterkeeper, Green Heart Project, and Water Mission. Additionally, all bar tips went toward school gardens run by Green Heart Project, which brings self-sustaining agricultural education to schools across the Lowcountry. If you’re visiting the Lowcountry, check out any of their websites for their weekly events.

Saturday and Sunday kicked off with a Lowcountry style brunch. Both menus were developed by some of Charleston’s best chefs including Jacques Larson (Wild Olive & Obstinate Daughter), Shuai Wang (Short Grain), Jill Mathias (Chez Nous), and Evan Guadreau (Renzo). The menu consisted of some of the freshest local ingredients including local snapper, tortellini with goat cheese, and plenty of oysters. Each course was served with wine as well as specialty cocktails by Craig Nelson of the award-winning bar Proof. Throughout the day, activities including oyster shucking classes, a DIY Bloody Mary stations, as well as food vendors from all over Charleston.

Music on Saturday kicked off with a Shovels and Rope family affair. Lilly Hiatt, who’s 2017 record Trinity Lane was produced by Michael Trent of Shovels and Rope, started things off at the main stage named Stono Stage. Michael Nau came next on the Edisto Stage, both stages were named after the rivers that surround some of the band’s origin on John’s Island, just south of Charleston.

Shovels and Rope made their first appearance on stage in 6 months with Butch Walker. Walker’s electric performance and heartfelt friendship beckoned the hosts on stage for a performance of “Bullet Belt”. Following Walker, Shrimp Records Family Band brought Cary Ann and Michael out for a couple numbers before handing the attention to The War and Treaty.

The War and Treaty was the most uplifting show of the day. It was most of High Water’s hope that they have earned a headlining spot next year. The other husband-and-wife led band brought plenty of energy to their performance with songs off their newest album. Their most well-received part of the show was not their music, but banter in between songs. Toward the end of the show, they brought on tears and asked the audience to hug one another. They continued to discuss suicide prevention and if you think someone may need you, they probably do.

Blitzen Trapper, performance artist Mitski, Phosphorescent, Lord Huron, and Jenny Lewis led up to the headliners. Among these twilight acts, Jenny Lewis’s stage presence was captivating. In a mermaid style dress, she left her heart on the stage singing songs of hope, feminine power, and a lack of regret. “Wasted My Youth”, “Red Bull and Hennessy”, and “See Fernando” played out before ending her set at the front of the stage, arms up, and back turned as she cried to the crowd singing her songs.

Easily one of the best Rhythm and Blues artists in the game, Leon Bridges closed out the night with hits like “Beyond” leading up to his high energy pieces. At the end of the show, Leon asked the crowd to get hyped in preparation for tomorrow.

Day 2 kicked off with The Secret Sisters, Thelma & The Sleaze, and Ranky Tanky. The Secret Sisters warmed up the crowd for an explosive set from Thelma & The Sleaze. Thelma & The Sleaze shared crass songs of crackheads, sex, and a stage dives. Ranky Tanky brought the crowd to a happy medium. Their church-like soul teamed with Quiana Parler fluid vocals brought a heaviness to the festival grounds on the Lord’s day in the Holy City.

Lera Lynn was up next on Edisto Stage parting away from her usual numbers to take her tunes a bit deeper than High Water had seen. Her pairing of post-Americana with Pink Floyd type arrangements showed why she was picked for the music for season 2 of the HBO hit True Detective and this part of the festival.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band got the crowd out of their headspace complete with a Second Line Parade around the festival grounds. Hayes Carll, Dr. Dog, and Durand Jones & The Indications all came before the hosts of the fest. When Shovels and Rope hit the stage in Royal Blue suits, the crowd rejoiced as Cary Ann and Michael had their first show since giving birth to their child.

In celebration of their new album By Blood, the group played tunes off the new album along with their Lowcountry sing-a-longs. Throughout the set, the husband-and-wife duo took on acoustic and electric guitar, their drum kit, and piano showing their break only improved their showmanship. Head to wherever you get your music to stream and download By Blood.

To cap off the night, J. Roddy Walston & The Business kept the glow going as the sun went down. A heavy hitting “Don’t Break the Needle” kicked off with “Full Growing Man” which made it apparent he would be playing some of his album, Don’t Break the Needle. Alongside favorites like “Marigold”, this set up for the perfect headliner on a Sunday night at High Water in The Head and the Heart.

The Head and The Heart played a set full of love, love lost, and even some tributes to the water that flowed on the other side of the crowd. Looking out onto the water there were around 30 boats taking in the free view of the festival. The biggest surprise of the festival was when Preservation Hall Jazz Band came out for the final number in “Rivers and Roads”. This final tribute led the audience out to what was the perfect send-off until next year.

Thanks to Shovels and Rope, AC Entertainment, Polished Pig Media, and all the sponsors for putting on this event to benefit Charleston Waterkeeper, Water Mission, and The Green Heart Project. We cannot wait for what is in store for 2020!

Check out a full gallery from the 2019 High Water Festival below, courtesy of Ellison White.