HAPPY FRIDAY! I’ve been excited to write this post all week because it’s been a really fun couple of them. Crazy, but fun and full of A LOT of rock! For those of you who are new to my blog, did you know my beloved is in a rock band? That’s how we met actually (I know, groupie). Every year or so Jump Little Children gets back together for a few shows, and this year also played at the south’s newest music festival, High Water Festival in Charleston – hosted by Shovels & Rope, another fave band of mine. We had a blast!
Photo via Garden & Gun magazine by Sully Sullivan
I usually don’t like music festivals because they are dirty, disorganized, you have to choose between bands to hear, you spend a ton of time walking back and forth between stages, the food sucks, and porte-potties. High Water was the 180 degree exception to this. It was the most well organized, beautifully curated experience you could possibly have at a festival. They offered goods and food from local restaurants and stores. The designers of all the logos and such were local, and many of the bands were, too. It was a real celebration of all the best of Charleston – including an article in Garden & Gun magazine with photos by Sully Sullivan of all the bands backstage (obvi I’m partial to the one of Jump, Little Children above – Evan’s in the sunglasses on the right – so handsome).
So what does 30-something blogger wear to a festival and a bunch of rock shows? Well, I’m not super big on festival style for myself – just can’t pull it off – but I think a good pair of cowboy boots, some jean shorts, a bralette, a lacey top and some fringe earrings did the trick. For the rock shows, it was all about finding a few fabulous pairs of flat shoes to stand on concrete with for hours but that would go with cute dresses. These silver zip-up oxfords above were a $20 find from Zara on my recent NY trip and they served me well at each of the shows – rubber soles are key for lots of standing!
So back to the music. The Jump Little Children shows were amazing – 5 in total from the festival to Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham and Chapel Hill. I wrote a pretty heart-felt post about how meaningful it was to be a part of their 10-year reunion shows last year, so I don’t plan to rewrite that this year. But the most special parts of the shows for me this year was my time backstage with Evan at the festival. There were snacks and drinks and haircuts and tents for all the bands to chill in – which is exciting to experience. But it was also a quiet little respite from the crowds and the fans. When they’re on the road, we don’t always get that time and peacefulness together so it was a lovely few minutes back there. And how cool is the view from behind the band playing! Check out Cora Wagoner photography for more shots from the festival and other concerts. Her portfolio is amazing!
Random side note – I thought this streamer installation in the VIP tent at High Water was so beautiful and would love to find a way to recreate it for our wedding in fall!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND Y’ALL!
