News of the upcoming event, which is slated to go down from April 28 to April 30, broke on Wednesday, and people are psyched that this 2023 installment marks the festival’s return to Pharrell’s hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

As Blavity previously reported, Pharrell decided to move the 2022 SITW event to Washington, D.C., after Donovan Lynch — his cousin — was gunned down by a police officer in Virginia Beach back in early 2021.

“It is exciting to be so close to the return of SOMETHING IN THE WATER in Virginia Beach,” Bobby Dyer, mayor of Virginia Beach, expressed in the announcement, which was shared with Blavity. “We sincerely appreciate Mr. Williams and his willingness to bring this marquee event back home!”

Pharrell Williams also spoke on the festival’s return to his stomping ground.

“The demand for the festival in Virginia Beach and the 757 — among the people — has never wavered. If anything, it has only intensified,” he said in the press release. “College Beach Weekend continues every year, and the city of Virginia Beach leaders have been eager to reconcile and move forward.”

“The environment is finally optimized for return and the announcement will delight everyone — from HBCU students across the eastern USA to the hundreds of small businesses who will play a role in the festival to the cities within the region and neighborhoods that will serve as hosts. I need to come back home,” Pharrell continued. “There is a pervasive feeling by almost everyone that the festival belongs in Virginia Beach, and the time is right to bring it back.”

Tickets will go on presale starting Saturday in Virginia Beach, and — with nearly 6 months until the festival kicks off — there’s still plenty of time to get your squad together and make plans to attend.

We should also add that, while the lineup is currently still under wraps, it will reportedly be unveiled in the near future.