Something in the Water festival in Washington, DC on Friday, June 17, 2022. Photo by Tyrone Turner. Crowds scream and raise their phones as performer Moneybagg Yo comes onto the stage.

Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

Thousands of revelers descended on the National Mall for Something In The Water over the weekend, a three-day music festival created by megaproducer Pharrell Williams. 

The festival debuted in 2019 in Williams’ hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia. But the Grammy Award-winning artist decided to pull the event out of the city last year.

In April Williams announced this year’s festival would take place on Independence Avenue on the weekend of Juneteenth, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

A performer on stage outside at Something In The Water
Performer 6lack during his set. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU
A crowd of people, all with their hands in the air, at Something In The Water
The crowds raise their hands during 6lack’s performance. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

The Friday-through-Sunday affair featured dozens of artists, including Justin Timberlake, N.O.R.E, SZA and Chloe x Halle.

Tam Thorpe, a personal trainer who lives in the District and attended with her friend from North Carolina, said she was most excited for Ja Rule and Ashanti. “Celebrating my Black people, I love it,” she said. “I love it. I’m here to have a good time.”

Three women post together at Something In The Water festival
Friends (from left) Tatiana Teran, from Richmond, Virginia; Jasmine Bates, from Atlanta, Georgia; and Monique Brown, from Sterling, Virginia, at the Something In The Water music festival. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

Class of 2022 graduates from D.C.’s public high schools received free passes to the festival.

Some local activists took aim at the minimum $350 price tag for the event, which they said was too costly for many of the city’s residents. D.C. organizers held their own celebration at Freedom Plaza — the Chocolate City Jubilee, which featured free food and performances.

Performer Moneybagg Yo on stage at the festival. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

The Something In The Water festival was not without its issues. Some concert-goers posted gripes over social media, criticizing organizers for failing to post information about set times until a couple days before the event.

Attendees also expressed issues with overcrowding and lack of shade. One woman told WTOP, “The difference between this festival and other festivals is that it’s unsafe … it’s so overcrowded.” She decided against attending the third day of the event.

Washington City Paper reported that on Saturday the fire marshal shut down all entrances just before 10 p.m. because of overcrowding, shutting out any attendees who had not yet arrived. Pharrell’s set was scheduled to begin four minutes later.

Performer Quinn XCII is shown on a large monitor with the U.S. Capitol in the background. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU
Friends Ibrahim Hydara, from Rockville, Maryland (center with hat) and Rasheed Billy from Baltimore, Maryland in their inflatable couches as they enjoy the scene at the music festival. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

Still others enjoyed the festivities. On Friday, Ibrahim Hydara and Rasheed Billy lounged on inflatable couches in the middle of the street as they waited for performances.

“Mostly just here to enjoy the vibes and the music,” Hydara said.

Performer 6lack during his set at the Something in the Water festival. Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

Debbie Truong contributed reporting.

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