Charleston house music events are multiplying. Here’s why.

One example is Beyoncé’s 2022 album “Renaissance,” which won her a Grammy Award for best dance/electronic album. Harry Style’s latest album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally,” also features EDM influences.

Austin said he thinks High Tide was the catalyst.

“I think that was really the driving factor for all this, and that’s what inspired me, obviously, to start doing all this again as well.”

Although Holt is hesitant to take credit, he said Austin isn’t the first person to cite the festival as a major reason for the scene’s growth. 

“I think that the impact of it has been pretty profound for me, just how much people have appreciated it and allowed it to grow,” he said.

Another reason people have become drawn to house music is the community-oriented nature of its events and upbeat, feel-good nature, Holt and Austin said. 

Austin found a passion for house music and began experimenting with creating his own songs at a young age. It allowed him to discover his creative process and identity as an artist, while helping him manage his depression, he said. 

”It gives you a sense of meditation, like a trance-like state,” Austin said. “So, when you have people dancing to house in a community-based setting with friends, there’s a different level of connection.”

Despite the success of High Tide and local collectives, Holt said some people still have misconceptions about the genre and may feel intimidated by it. 

In reality, he said, the scene is much more welcoming than people might expect. He said attending High Tide is a good place to start, as it’s a palatable event easily enjoyed regardless of familiarity with the scene.

Plus, this year’s headliner is the Grammy Award-winning duo The Chainsmokers, an artist with which even people outside the house music scene are familiar. 

“That’s a different level of talent compared to anything we’ve seen in the South,” Holt said. “So we’re just super excited to bring the High Tide vibe to a larger demographic.”