Something in the Water Music Festival

The music festival, “Something in the Water” in VA Beach, was a memorable event for all who attended.

Evelyn Arnold, Reporter|May 13, 2019

Evelyn Arnold

Shown above are the regular wristbands for the Something In The Water Event.

The Virginia beach coastline was an excellent and vibrant place to hold the music festival.
On April 26-28, 2019, Virginia Beach held a music festival with many popular artists. Some people also call It “College Beach Weekend” because the people who go are mostly students who attend college in the area and come to the event. There was more than 35,000 tickets sold just for the first day. Pharrell is from the area of Virginia Beach, along with some other artists playing at the festival. “The Seven Cities” (Norfolk, VA Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, and Suffolk) are the areas that are mainly attracted to this event because it’s placed near. The people who live in those cities don’t really have much to do around them so it’s all the more exciting for them when the event comes around. Especially for those artists who grew up around the areas so they can visit their hometown.

 

Here is Elim Utterback, amazed at how many great artists played at this event.The set list consists of: Migos, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, SZA, Diplo, Pharrell & Friends including Missy Elliot, Gwen Stefani, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, and many more.

There were some complications at the event due to severe weather problems. The first day of the festival got cancelled due to hail and a tornado threat. Homes and cars were being destroyed by poles and trees falling from strong winds. Traffic became insane once people found out that it was cancelled. Friday’s lineup was Migos, Lil Uzi Vert, Masego, Diplo, Janelle Monáe, Dave Matthews Band, Radiant Children, Maggie Rogers and Pharrell and friends, which includes Gwen Stefani, N.E.R.D, Usher, Missy Elliott, Timbaland and Fam-lay. All those artists were also cancelled and not able to perform at the music festival.

The second day was thankfully sunny and the festival began as scheduled. People who didn’t spend money on tickets, walked along the boardwalk and around the Oceanfront. The live music and smell of the food brought people together within the festival and out. Pharrell & Friends set up this day along with Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Timbaland and Fam-Lay, Tyler the Creator, Snoop Dogg, Usher, Diddy, and Charlie Wilson. No major crimes were reported that day. The third day of the festival followed through smoothlywith no complications in weather or accidents. Some were bummed that this was the last day of the festival as well as only having two days in all of it because of the weather on the first day. But they made it count.

During the festival, the city wanted to make sure the area wasn’t littered or destroyed because of the festival. That being said 150 garbage cans and 40 recycling cans were positioned around the city. A big concern was also making sure the wildlife wasn’t affected by the event. Many people volunteered to cleanup on Monday April 30, after the music festival, and show their appreciation for how great the event was.

Braden Underwood went to the festival and found it very exciting.

A couple of students who are Lafayette Juniors in Williamsburg, VA attended this event and they had a great experience. Victtor Oliveria said, “I was pretty upset that the first day was cancelled but overall it was a great experience. I got to see my favorite rapper, Travis Scott, and have a good time with my friends.” One of the friends who joined Oliveria at the festival, Braden Underwood, also commented about the event, “When the first day got cancelled, I was pissed, but we got refunded for that day so it made up for it. The event overall was put together really well with the artists, security, and the planning. My favorite artists to see were Travis Scott and Snoop Dogg, they’re performances were really dope and fun to see.” Judging by what the people who went to Something in the Water, the event seemed to go really well and was enjoyable for everyone.

In conclusion, “Something in the Water” was a success. Besides having the first day cancelled, the event was filled with excitement and great music. It was planned out really nice, people had an unforgettable experience. Make sure to make it next year at Virginia Beach’s “Something in the Water” music festival.