“Something In The Water” Festival Canceled For 2025

The city of Virginia Beach has canceled Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water (SITW) Festival after organizers failed to meet one of its deadlines.

According to reports, festival organizers did not satisfy the city’s “cure notice requirements” within the five days allotted, resulting in termination of the event.

The city of Virginia Beach released this statement saying:

“While the City values the positive impact and visibility the Something in the Water festival has had on Virginia Beach in years past, regretfully, organizers did not meet the cure notice requirements in terms of next steps. The SITW team will receive an official termination notice from the city. As a result, city staff will begin alternative plans for the weekend of April 26-27. We remain optimistic about future opportunities to work with the SITW team.” 

The decision follows a long history of tension between Williams and Virginia Beach since the festival’s inception, which was supposed to be a love letter of sorts to his hometown, a place that shaped his journey and his sound.

Launched in 2019, SITW quickly became a staple festival for music lovers, with huge acts and a vibe that reflected Williams’ unique vision. But things took a sharp turn in 2020 and 2021, after the festival was canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rapper’s cousin, Donovan Lynch, was also shot by Virginia Beach police on March 27, 2021, ultimately dying from his injuries. Lynch’s family sued the city for $50 million later that summer. Then in the fall, Pharrell spoke out about his relationship with the city, claiming it’s ran by “toxic energy.” As a result, the festival was held in Washington, D.C. in 2022.

A few months after Williams’ announcement regarding the move to D.C., he was pictured with city officials and revealed that the festival would return to Virginia Beach in 2023. The city also reached a $3 million settlement with Lynch’s family that year.

Fast forward to now, the event’s termination comes after the festival’s organizers failed to announce the lineup and start ticket sales by the December 31, 2024 deadline, resulting in a breach of contract with the city.

The festivals organizers nor Williams’ have yet to issue a statement about the event’s cancellation.