Photo NBC Washington.
Music popstar Pharrell Williams announced the Something in the Water music festival will not take place in the District in 2023.
Instead, the music festival will return back to his hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Williams tweeted Wednesday.
“@sitw is back in the 757 for 2023,” Williams tweeted.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
Williams moved the festival to D.C. last year, but that choice came with controversy including concerns over high ticket prices.
Virginia Beach leaders appealed to Williams in 2021 to bring the festival back to the city. Williams said the city had “toxic energy” after a police officer fatally shot his cousin.
Want to know what's up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.
The D.C. Something in the Water was held Juneteenth weekend on Independence Avenue. Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, 21 Savage and more big-name artists performed.
During the festival, six people were taken from the festival to hospitals with heat-related illness. Police searched for a woman who stole dozens of iPhones from concert attendees. There were also complaints of crowded conditions.
It is currently unclear why Williams decided to move the festival back to Virginia Beach.
This year's festival will be held April 28-30 in Virginia Beach. Tickets go on sale Nov. 5 at 12 p.m.
