PRE-FEST PREP
Prepping for a festival lays the foundation for your experience—trust.
Clear bags only—seriously. Hangout Fest isn't your opportunity to rock a stylish purse or try to sneak in a mysterious backpack. The festival enforces a strict clear-bag policy, and they better be small bags, too—nothing larger than 12-by6-by-12 is allowed. Small clutches (think handsized) with no handle or strap, one-gallon clear
time hours before; that way, we can go to the Hangout buffet or something."
While Gumpy wasn't around in Jordana's early music career, she still found ways to get out of her head and make music. The singersongwriter got her start recording demos on GarageBand in her Maryland bedroom by herself. Since then, she has jumped from genre to genre, releasing music in the indie folk, bedroom pop and rock categories.
"I'm so into every genre that I'm like expansive," Jordana said. "I can't choose a specific genre to stick with because there's just too much music to be made."
Since making bops in her bedroom, she has also upgraded from GarageBand to a band of
plastic freezer bags (zip-top bags or similar) and fanny packs are also allowed.
MONEY MATTERS
Leave your cash at home or in your bank account; it won't do you much good. This year's event is entirely cashless, and this means vendors will only accept tap-to-pay, credit and debit cards. If you forget, there will be a few "cash-tocard" booths inside the festival grounds, where you can exchange cash for a Visa debit card.
THE ESSENTIALS
Thankfully, you don't need much—because your bag is pretty small, remember? But here are our top must-haves.
When it comes to sunscreen, our general rule is the higher the SPF, the better. And in terms of how to carry sunscreen across the threshold of
her own and from producing tracks solo to working with a team, elevations she has had to learn to love. In the beginning of her career, she "had a really big problem with wanting to work alone to prove something of myself." Hangout Fest will be Jordana's third festival performance featuring the support of her band.
Jordana said that just like any other show, she will be "keeping up the traditions."
Jordana @jordananye
5:30-6:15 p.m. Friday Mermaid Stage
the festival gates, think airport vibes. It can't be in an aerosol container or larger than 3 ounces.
Do NOT forget a water bottle—sans water. You're allowed one empty non-glass water container up to 2 liters in size or a CamelBakstyle hydration pack with one pocket for the water bladder and one additional pocket. There are water stations throughout the festival grounds to fill 'em up.
We always say sunglasses and/or a hat, but we definitely think "and" is the right call here. Also, if you're thinking about packing hand sanitizer, do it. We also suggest wet wipes—they really come in handy when you encounter the archnemesis to every festivalgoer ever—port-o-potties.
See a complete list of allowed and prohibited items, as well as frequently asked questions, at hangoutmusicfest.com/info.
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Jordana / Photo by Andy Boyle
SZA @sza 9:45 p.m. Saturday Hangout Stage
SZA / Original Photo Courtesy of RCA Records
In her audio interview with Inweekly, Elohim's quotes come from a talking profile image—a graphic composite of her face and a lion face with mouse ears placed atop an image of her body; she's holding a cigarette.
It's all very Pisces of her.
"Actually, that photo means so much to me because that was the first image I ever put out as Elohim," she said. "I put out my first song ever, called 'She Talks Too Much,' and that photo, and the rest is history."
Pisces are often described as being creative and imaginative, and all of Elohim's imagery is fittingly whimsical. Peep her Instagram. It's who she is.
While Elohim grew up playing classical piano, she was always drawn to alternative electronic.
"My parents would sort of force me to practice because playing classical, it takes so much time, so much practice," Elohim said. "I would sit there for hours, but then I would take little parts and just turn them into my own songs. So I would take like a [Sergei] Rachmaninoff piece and turn it into my own thing."
Conveniently sitting next to a piano at her house during the interview, Elohim demonstrated how she'd transform chords into something more uniquely her.
"Everyone at the recitals would be dressed in pink dresses, and then I would show up and not look like that," Elohim said. "I guess I've always just kind of dreamed about butterflies."
Elohim's at home, because she's hard at work recording her upcoming album, "Power of Panic," which relates to her struggles with mental health. She can recall at least two "significant breakdowns" that made her want to quit.
"I wanted to give up a lot of times, and I just never did," Elohm said. "It's really hard because one of the things that can trigger panic, anxiety and dissociation is leaving the house, and that can get really hard. I find that once I'm on the road for a while, it's always those first few days of leaving home that's really hard for me, and then I'm fine. Like, once I'm on the road for a while, I can kind of click into it."
Elohim was in a good mental headspace before COVID. She had worked hard in therapy, and she was taking medication and selling out shows on her headlining tour, "Group Therapy."
"Then COVID hit, and I was home for a year and a half, and it really, really affected me," Elohim said. "I'm still picking up the pieces, as a lot of artists are."
Elohim knows she's not starting over on her mental health journey, but it still feels that way. Recording and performing are a double-edged sword, both of which can bring her peace, but also anxiety.
Elohim wrote her latest single, "Breath," while she was lying in bed after hitting a stalemate with her therapist, calling herself one of the therapist's "most severe clients."
Not registered to vote? No problem, you can do it at Hangout Fest.
While a beachside music festival might seem like an unconventional time to secure your voting ability, HeadCount will give festivalgoers a convenient chance to do so—it's kind of their thing.
Check out its mission statement—"HeadCount is a non-partisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. We reach young people and music fans where they already are—at concerts and online—to inform and empower."
"HeadCount is partnering with Hangout Fest to engage music fans and encourage them to par-
"We tried so many things over the years, and it felt like nothing was working," Elohim said. "I think she got to the end. She was like, 'I don't know that I can help you anymore.' And she started talking about God and a higher power. And I was like, 'Wow, it's really strange for a therapist to bring up God,' but it doesn't have to be in a religious way. But she was like, 'What if you channel a higher power?'"
Elohim channels things into music, she said. So at 10 or 11 p.m., she channeled it the first rendition of "Breath" into her Voice Memos app.
"It felt so almost spiritual," Elohim said. "I was kind of thinking of a higher power, not necessarily God—which for somebody who struggles, it actually gives you a bit of hope in a way."
Elohim is vocal about her mental health and coping mechanisms. She's worked with different organizations and donated streaming proceeds to The Jed Foundation—a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults in the U.S., she said.
"This next chapter for me is being like, 'You know what, I'm gonna turn all these struggles that I go through into my superpower, and help them give me fuel,'" Elohim said. "It's almost like a thing that I have, that maybe someone else doesn't."
"I'm like, wouldn't it be a dream if I could turn that energy into something good, and into power and strength?" Elohim said. "So that's kind of where I'm at with this project, and I hope that
ticipate in democracy," said Alex Epstein, the HeadCount Chief of Staff. "We're excited to have our volunteers on the ground promoting civic engagement, all while enjoying an epic lineup on the Gulf Shores' beautiful white sand beaches."
HeadCount volunteers stage non-partisan voter registration drives at more than 1,000 live events each year. The organization also collaborates with cultural leaders to promote civic engagement on a national scale, according to its website.
Since 2004, HeadCount has signed up more than 1,000,000 voters through its work with touring musicians, such as Ariana Grande, Dead &
I can, myself, not only make this music but also apply it to myself and to my life."
Elohim is excited to test out some of her new music at Hangout Fest and see how the crowd reacts. About 90% of the music Elohim performs is original, she said.
"A lot of DJs play different music from other artists, and I love doing that," Elohim said. "But I also feel like I'm such an artist at my core, and it feels really good to be able to play pretty much all my own music, and to replace some of it with this new music I've been working on."
Elohim loved performing at Hangout Fest in 2019—only partially because she got to hold another musician's newly adopted puppy.
"It was such a great festival, and then the crowd was insane—like in-sane," Elohim said. "With a festival, you have no idea what to expect, and the crowd was absolutely bonkers. Like, they were so loud. It was amazing. It was such a great show. That's the best feeling when you play a festival and a lot of people show up to your set and are really into it. It's like, obviously, the best feeling ever—and Hangout was that times 100."
6:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday Monster Beach Club
Company and Beyoncé, and at events such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Pride festivals and RuPaul's DragCon. Not to mention, HeadCount's public service announcements have starred the likes of Jay-Z, Dave Matthews and members of the Grateful Dead.
By showing up at popular music events and collaborating with noteworthy musicians, HeadCount furthers music's ability to create change. If you still haven't gotten around to it, take a quick break from the Hangout lineup this weekend and register to vote.
You can learn more about HeadCount and why voting is important at headcount.org.
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Elohim / Photo by Chase O'Black
Elohim @elohim
Event Producer Reeves Price knows the biggest thing that separates Hangout Fest from other music festivals is that you get to see some of the top artists in the world on the beach in Alabama … like, ahem, SZA.
"Who'd have thought?" he said.
But there's a lot more to it than just the beach and the lineup—it's an entire experience. And that doesn't just happen—it's planned and somehow gets better year after year.
Some Hangout favorites will return this year— but with a slight twist or revamp, Price said. The Roller Disco, for example, will be back in action. But this year, the pop-up skating rink will feature themed parties, such as 2000s hip hop, girl power and emo.
A popular photo backdrop, the Psychedelic Bus will also return with a few new details this year. And you can still get hitched (well, not legally) at the Wedding Chapel, with seating for your friends to watch, he said.
Price didn't want to reveal too much, but he said the Malibu Beach House, a popular area featuring a lineup of DJs and beachside dance parties, will be different than in the past. And the Monster Energy Beach Club will feature several upgrades.
"The Camp Hangout experience has been totally kind of reimagined and re-laid out," Price said. "So that's going to have a lot of fun stuff, fun activities and things. We've redesigned the Boom stage, and that will kind of look different than it has in previous years."
The festival will also feature tons of food options and sponsored areas with special treats and activities.
But, of course, you can't talk about Hangout Fest and not talk about music. Price said this year's lineup has something for everyone.
"The [Red Hot] Chili Peppers on the beach is a great fit," Price said. "SZA is one of the hottest acts on the planet right now. Also, getting Calvin Harris back to the festival because he was on the show four or five years ago and didn't get to play. Everybody is excited about Paramore. They're massive right now and doing a big tour. People are excited about Skrillex. He just subbed in for Frank Ocean and headlined Coachella."
Price has worked on Hangout Fest since 2019.
He said planning the event is a 365-days-a-year gig, and he already has notes for 2024.
The part Price likes most is designing the attendees' experience, he said.
"What do they see when they first walk through the gates?" Price said. "How do they feel when the headliner finishes? How do we schedule the artists? How does the energy flow from the early parts of the day into the middle of the day and into the later part, the later hours of the evening? Who's gonna get to play this? Who's the right act to play the sunset slots? That's always a great moment at the festival. And you know, what type of fun little surprises can we dream up that are going to make this an unforgettable weekend for everybody?"
Winner
Best
Late
Night Eats & Best Bar–West Pensacola/Perdido Key Runner Up Best Hot Dog, Best Bar Ambiance & Best Bar for Games
15 May 18, 2023
Photo by Natalie Allgyer for Inweekly / From Hangout Fest 2019
It all started 14 years ago, when The Vegabonds enrolled at Auburn University. At the time, they never imagined they'd be playing the South's most beloved beach-side music festival one day.
The alternative rock band, composed of Daniel Allen (lead vocals and songwriter), Richard Forehand (lead guitar and vocals), Paul Bruen (bass), Beau Cooper (keyboard, vocals and songwriter) and Bryan Harris (drums), actually started out as rivals in their college town's music scene.
Before the five properly met, they were going head-to-head against one another in the university's "Battle of The Bands." At the time, Allen was the frontman of a band called Danny and The Tanks. They were regularly playing gigs at local bars, but Allen had a feeling something was missing.
And he found it at a house party, where he and Harris met and exchanged phone numbers. In a matter of days, Allen received a call "with an invitation to come over and jam" with Harris and his band Top House, which consisted of three other current members of The Vegabonds.
"I could already see the writing on the wall," Allen said. "They were exactly what I was looking for musically."
That first jam session changed everything. Allen said he "had no intention of leaving my band," but the first time playing with Top House made him feel musically complete. Thus, The Vegabonds were born.
Drawing from their Southern roots and in -
fluences like Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, The Allman Brothers Band and The Black Crowes, The Vegabonds found their sound— which is an eclectic mix of blues and rock.
In the years after college, The Vegabonds have toured the globe and played numerous shows in Alabama and even Gulf Shores, but playing Hangout Fest is a bucket-list type of achievement for the band.
The Alabama natives hold a lot of gratitude for their college years, making nostalgia and where they came from a prominent topic in their music. The Vegabonds' 2023 EP and latest release "Tom Petty and The Braves" is all about reflecting on the good ol' days and "being raised in the South." Throughout their adolescence, Allen said, "It was always Tom Petty on the radio and Atlanta Braves baseball on the TV."
Allen hopes that their Hangout set reflects these topics and takes the audience back "to a great time in their life," much like the band's college experience.
"If I could go back and talk to my college self, I'd say don't be so concerned with immediate results and enjoy the journey of chasing long-term goals," Allen said.
12:30-1:30
The Vegabonds @thevegabonds
Surf Stage
p.m. Friday Shein
The Vegabonds / Courtesy Photo
It's 2019 and you're lying in bed, scrolling through TikTok for way longer than you should. A handful of videos on your feed are emotional tearjerkers that use a catchy but gut-wrenching tune as the background song. Your subconscious is screaming, "What is that melody?" More than likely, it was Sam Fischer's breakout-hit "This City," a song that continues to surpass 75 million streams to this day.
The Australian singer-songwriter hid in the backrooms of fame for years, writing songs for big-time artists such as Keith Urban, Jessie J, MAX and Demi Lovato, just to name a few, until his singles started gaining more internet attention. While keeping his seat in the writing world, Fischer's musical career began to accelerate. The world began to know his name, his music and his tendency to sing from the heart and the heartache.
"I didn't set out to be this kind of artist that represents, or rather to be a voice for those struggling with their mental health issues; it kind of chose me," Fischer said.
Throughout his life, Fischer realized that he had a hard time with vulnerability in conversation and journaling, but he was "quite good at putting it into songs." His most popular music discussed relatable topics like mental health issues and loneliness and served as a fishbowl full of his emotions.
While Fischer's deep lyricism and melodies strum the heartstrings of many, he wants fans to know that there is more to him and his music than sad beautiful tragedies.
"I promise I'm not all like doom and gloom," Fischer said.
Earlier this year, he released "High On You," featuring Amy Shark, a tender love song that focuses on loving the one you're with unapologetically, despite having flaws and bumps in the road. Upon the release of his latest love song, Fisher said his mental health has gotten better and "the sadness is sleeping," a refreshing contrast to some of his prior music. He said the single is "the start of a big year of music for me."
Hangout Fest is the first stop on Fischer's upcoming tour-run and will serve as the "first kind of big showcase of what I can do and what kind of set I can put together, where I get to play new songs," Fisher said. {in}
May 18, 2023
Sam Fischer
Sam
3:15-4 p.m.
Mermaid
Photo by Oscar Ryan
Fischer @samfischer
Sunday
Stage
