Now in its third year, the Riverfront Revival Festival, curated by Darius Rucker, will take over North Charleston’s Waterfront Park next weekend, bringing two days of unforgettable live music, regional cuisines and a come-one-come-all celebration of the Lowcountry.
Rucker said his founding vision for the festival, which had its first iteration in 2022, was to create a music festival that “feels like Charleston.”
“I wanted to make something that just brings people together over country music,” he told the Charleston City Paper. “Charleston is small and fun, and that’s how I wanted the festival to feel — like a bunch of friends getting together, at a great spot to do it by the riverfront, with two days of awesome music.”
Charleston-based acts, such as Gritty Flywright and Elizabeth Covington, will share stages with national names like Arrested Development, Sister Hazel and Jamey Johnson. Musical acts will play on two stages all day long Oct. 11 and 12. The festival will include food, beverages and art vendors.
Rucker, a Charleston native, said he can’t pick which performance he’s looking forward to the most.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everybody on this lineup, I’ll be there both days, listening.” But he did offer a few highlights.
“I can’t wait to see The Revivalists and Tedeschi Trucks Band. And Jamey Johnson is one of my favorite artists ever. Every time I get to see him, it’s something special to me. We (Hootie & the Blowfish) just toured with them, and they brought it every freakin’ night.
“Locally, we’ve got Elizabeth Covington, Sister Hazel, people who have played the Windjammer on Isle of Palms and places like that forever.”
This year’s lineup is, like in past years, mostly country, but also includes Americana and rock, Rucker said.
“The vision for the festival keeps improving, with the bands getting better and the crowds getting bigger every year. The vision is really to keep doing what we’re doing — just keep bringing in top music talent, and make it a tradition where 20 years from now we’re still talking about the Riverfront Revival. That’s the goal.”
Another important piece of the festival is the food vendors which celebrate the diverse cuisine of S.C., Rucker said, plus a family-friendly, welcoming atmosphere. “It’s the kind of thing where you can come at noon, bring your kids, hear great music and eat great food. The music is very important, of course, but it’s also the other stuff around it, the food and the atmosphere — it’s just swimming.”
Find food from vendors like Bangin’ Vegan Eats, Big Daddy’s Loco Food Truck, Kajun Asian, Mac N’ Me, Mordisco Empanadas, Roti Rolls, Smash City Burgers, Southern Roots Smokehouse, The Biscuit Shed, James Brown Boiled Peanuts and more. Plus, crafty vendors like sustainable surf brand Play Salty, locally-made Nectar Sunglasses, hats from Riddle Boutique and lots of others.
Hootie & the Blowfish will cap off the festival on Saturday night, completing their 2024 “Summer Camp with Trucks” tour. Rucker said whether you’re from Charleston or you just moved here, Riverfront Revival is a great chance to “meet new people, discover new music and have a great time…Come out and have a party for Charleston.”
A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will benefit the Arts in Healing Program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, a cause which Rucker is passionate about, and Just be You, a local nonprofit helping to build teens’ confidence, self-love and self-compassion.
Find one day general admission tickets starting at $125 plus fees at riverfrontrevival.com.
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