Pharrell Williams Announces Rebirth of Something in the Water Music Festival
Pharrell Williams rebirths his Something in the Water Festival for June of 2022. The festival is set to take place
Madison Grimes
Pharrell Williams rebirths his Something in the Water Festival for June of 2022. The festival is set to take place over three days and the box office offers both 3-day passes and shuttle passes for consumers to purchase.
The lineup is one of the most diverse we've seen for a festival, and when prompted about its different lineup approach Pharrell is quoted saying the festival is about “unity and togetherness – not genres, but humans getting together.”
Williams is known to be a versatile figure, known for his production, music media, fashion lines, entrepreneurship, and social activism. He decided to relocate the event to Washinton DC, after clashing with the city manager in the festival's original location, his hometown of Virginia beach.
Something in the Water Promotes Diverse Lineup
Something in the Water is promoting 19 different headliners including 6LACK, Ashanti, Calvin Harris, Dave Mathews Band, Denzel Curry, Ja Rule, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Ozuna, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Rae Sremmurd, Roddy Rich, Run The Jewels, Skepta, Slowthai, Tyler The Creator, and Usher. Even more artists are scheduled to perform over the course of the three-day festival.
The Something in the Water’s lineup is a direct nod to the rhythmic and music rich history of Washington. Specifically, the artists in the lineup such as Backyard Band, Rare Essence, and Sounds of the City are all considered by Williams as a “pillar of rock history.”
A general admission wristband will give access to the main lineup, activities, food, and access to all three days of Something in the Water. There are, however, different tiered price ranges in attempt to “incentivize and engage past purchasers and communities directly impacted by the festival operations.”
Festival Location Rebirth
Williams has been through the wringer attempting to get the location of the festival secured.
Originally, it was set to take place in his hometown of Virginia Beach, where a successful festival was held in 2019. A 2020 rendition of the festival was postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19, however before it was able to take place the killing of Wiliams's cousin sparked a change of heart.
Donovon Lynch, a cousin to Pharrell Williams, was killed by a police officer in March 2021 in Virginia Beach. This led to Williams confronting the “toxic energy” exuding from the city. A month after the murder the singer demanded a federal investigation into the incident.
He is quoted in an Instagram post calling out the city and state management, “Too many unanswered City and State questions. Respectfully, I am calling for a Federal investigation. I also humbly ask that you all keep the family in prayer.”
Like many others, Williams is tired of seeing little to no change in the systematic issues. He claims that in order to bring the festival back to its original location the general public is urged to “tell [leadership] to listen to the kids and get rid of those old ideas and listen to people who are really living it right now.”
While the festival is taking place a few hours away from Virginia Beach, Williams commits to keeping his hometown dear to his heart. He's done a fantastic job at this by bringing on multiple corporations sponsoring the festival to produce ‘give-backs’ to his city and has emphasized staying true to his roots.