All words and photos by Bill Foster
Day two of High Water Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, began with an overcast sky and a bit of a chill in the air, but the rain held off throughout the day.
Crowds were once again lighter and more manageable than in previous years. I was able to sit in the comfortable Wicked Weed pavilion many times throughout the day. A delicious lunch at Rodney Scott’s BBQ made me a bit late, but the entrance was still drama-free, and I wound up parked quite close. One thing that has impressed me about this festival is the quality of the lower half of the bill. Getting here early pays off, as even the very first acts are well worth seeing. Fortunately, I arrived in time to only miss a few songs of the opener.
Goldie Boutilier
First up on the smaller stage was Goldie Boutilier. Previously performing under the names Kay and Goldilox and modeling in Paris, Boutilier has released three EPs under her own name. The music is poppy country and she is a charismatic performer, obviously quite experienced. I enjoyed what I heard.
Ethan Tasch
Over on Stono, it was time for Ethan Tasch. Tasch has connections with Mt. Joy, and the crowd seemed enthusiastic and familiar with his music. He played with a three-piece band and was obviously excited to be on such a big stage. One thing about High Water is that there is no shortage of earnest, young songwriters, so one must find a way to describe the same act in five different ways. This was another case of an appealing, interesting young songwriter performing a good set.
Gigi Perez
Gigi Perez back on Edisto was another matter. When watching a young act, I always look to see if the audience is there an act or two before, if they have t-shirts or signs and if they know the words to the songs. Not being on TikTok can be a liability because I missed the part where Gigi went viral. This crowd was fanatical and excited…the most I have ever seen for a show so early in the day. I haven’t heard a crowd reaction like that since Phoebe Bridgers blew up. Perez is an incredible singer, with a piercing, high, clear voice. I am quite sure that this is the smallest stage I will ever be fortunate enough to see her on.
The War and Treaty
Back on the main stage, The War and Treaty were up next. Except for uber-guitarist Max Brown (seriously, the best guitarist at this festival by a Lowcountry mile), they have had a different band every time I have seen them, but the band is always tight and skilled. Michael Trotter has developed his singing since I saw him last. He was always among the best gospel belters, but now he has added a more subdued, country growl that was quite appealing. The Trotters’ onstage chemistry was as obvious and compelling as always, and their new material is great. They refused to let the crowd rest in the hot sun, exhorting them to dance and sing along from the first moments. The crowd was most familiar with “Hey Driver,” the song they recorded with Zach Bryan, but the rest of the show was also well received.
Wild Rivers
Wild Rivers were up next. The Toronto-based trio has won Juno awards and is quite popular in Canada. They have been together for a decade, and it shows. They write great songs, and they are entertaining as hell onstage.
Trampled by Turtles
On Stono, it was time for Trampled by Turtles. There was a lot of controversy when the Minnesota six-piece began as to whether they were “bluegrass” or not. After 10 albums and 20 years, the point is moot, and one sees why live. They are fast and frenetic, sometimes sounding as if they are playing metal on acoustic instruments. They are definitely a different experience than the festival presented otherwise, and the crowd was into it, pogoing and dancing to every song. Taking the stage to Bad Company, the group blazed quickly through a dozen songs, including “Codeine,” “You Never Let Me Down” and “Quitting Is Rough.”
Waxahatchee
Back on Edisto, Waxahatchee was up. I just shot her last month at Big Ears. That show, a duo appearance, was wonderful but subdued. This show was another ting. Backed by a five-piece band, Waxahatchee was engaging and funny and much more electric than last time.
Counting Crows
Back on Stono, it was time for the show I wanted to cover this festival for, Counting Crows. The only time I had seen them before was in Milan, Italy, in 2000, so I was super excited. They began with “Round Here,” the Grammy-nominated song that broke them back in 1994. The mostly original lineup sounded great with three guitars. Adam Duritz as a singer gets some grief, but if you come to a Counting Crows song expecting to hear what is on the record, you are probably going to be disappointed. Duritz is a Garcia-level improvisor, who never sings things the same way twice. He was in excellent form today. I was disappointed not to hear some of the new material in the 12-song set and to get two warhorse covers (“Big Yellow Taxi” and “Friend of the Devil”) but overall, it was strong, and we got great versions of “Rain King,” “Richard Manuel Is Dead” and “Miami.”
“Hanginaround” was the set closer.
flipturn
The last time I shot flipturn, they played at 2 in the afternoon at Shaky Knees in front of a small crowd. I missed the memo, but somehow in the intervening years, they seemingly have become the biggest band in the world. Their crowd was huge and absolutely delirious. The Florida five-piece has only two albums, but the crowd knew every song forwards and backwards. Frontman Dillion Basse soloed and grimaced and smiled and hammed it up, and the band, backed by a new and spectacular light show, looked like they were having the time of their lives. They should have because this was definitely a coming-out party for a group with big things ahead of them.
Arcade Fire
Finally, it was time for Arcade Fire. They certainly drew the biggest crowd of the festival, and, unlike last night, no one left early. I have seen them half a dozen times, and every show looks different. This time, they played in front of a red backdrop with Butler’s piano in the back and a single riser to climb on in the front. They opened with “Suburbs” with Butler on piano before proceeding to deliver an epic 17-song set, quieter but more intense than some past shows. Butler wandered through the crowd during “Rebellion (Lies).” We also got to hear a great “Keep the Car Running,” “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” and “Everything Now” before a set-closing “Wake Up” and encore “Creature Comfort.”
