Inweekly Hangout Fest 2022 Feature

May 20-22

Gulf Shores, Ala

Independent News | May 19, 2022 | Volume 23 | Number 20

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May 20-22

We almost can’t believe we’re saying this—but that glorious weekend of bands on the beach known as Hangout Fest is finally back. And just like you, we’re beyond ready for it.

But before you pack up and head to Gulf Shores, make sure you read our Hangout Fest guide. From what to pack to who to watch, this issue has it all and then some.

We know it’s been a minute, so here’s a friendly reminder that a three-day festival is a marathon not a sprint. So let’s all remember to pace ourselves and drink plenty of water, deal?

Photo by Natalie Allgyer for Inweekly / From HOMF 2019 May 19, 2022

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Hangout Fest 2022

Classically Cool

By Gina Castro

Photo by 36neex To some, classical piano and EDM are just too vastly different to be combined. But when JVNA blends the genres, they emerge as a melodious duo.

"My sound is definitely very melodic, sort of ethereal, but contrasting with dark EDM elements," Jana Ma said.

Ma, the artist behind JVNA, grew up playing classical piano. Her favorite genres of classical music are impressionism and romanticism. She felt drawn to the experimental roots of the genres.

While studying composition and film scoring at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, her interest in experimentalism grew.

"I didn't even get into EDM until sophomore year of college. Before that, I was very, very classical. And then I went to a rave, and I was like, 'Oh, this is fun. Everything's changed; this is very fun.'"

Ma began mixing EDM music on Twitch her junior year. She DJ'd on her account four times a week to gain a following. Even then, she continued to feature 16th note patterns in her music, reminiscent of impressionism and romanticism.

"When I produce and I get on the keyboard, I find my fingers playing more of those types of chord progressions and those types of pianistic motifs."

Extra downtime during the pandemic made it possible for her to dedicate more attention to her first album, "Hope in Chaos." She used the time to explore different genres, like side trance and new wave trap. It took about a year and a half for her to produce the 12-track album.

"Because this is my first album, I felt like I wanted to do everything myself," Ma said. "I didn't want any collabs on it. I wanted to kind of define to myself and the audience what my sound was as a solo artist."

Writing and producing her first album taught her to stick with her own identity. For the majority of her career, she's been surrounded by men with pop bass backgrounds. They'd criticize her for having too many instruments and prioritizing melodies.

"I come from a classical background, so the way I approach writing music is different from

other people. Writing this album, I was at a point in my life where I'm done asking people for feedback."

Her song "Bullseye" is a different style from the other tracks on "Hope in Chaos" because it's a side trance song featuring a mix of chill melodies with high tempo riffs. "Sins" is melodic, similar to future bass but trappier, Ma said.

"And so I like to incorporate a lot of strings and orchestra elements and make it very moody."

The album also features some pop.

"I wanted to write something that was also poppier and not just, like, straight on EDM, so I have some songs like 'Dystopia,' or like 'At Least It was Fun,' that I think you could consider pop."

Her music influences are Japanese composer Hiroyuki Sawano and the American rock band Evanescence.

She's performed primarily at EDM festivals, and Hangout Fest is her first all-inclusive genre event.

"I'm very excited for Hangout," Ma

said. "I'm excited to listen to other artists who aren't just doing DJ sets. I wish I could stay longer, but I have a show in Austin the next day."

Even though she'll only be at Hangout on Friday, Ma will be playing two sets. The first will be focused on her album and the second will be played by ear.

"I haven't figured out what I'm gonna do yet.

Since it's on a beach, I might play some house music and just be a full-on DJ."

Patterson also expects to see an increase in colorful hair. To accommodate that demand, the salon will also be offering glitter colored hair gel in a couple pastel shades.

As for makeup, Patterson imagines Euphoria will have some influence.

"If we were doing makeup, I bet people would want that type of makeup," Patterson said.

One common fashion goal for the weekend for most festival-goers is to stay cool. For that, Patterson thinks sheer or nylon fabric bathing suit cover-ups is an ideal choice, like a sheer short dress.

"I always think that's really functional and cool, but they're also not totally completely exposed," Patterson said. "So you're not getting sand in undesired places. It kind of checks all the boxes."

She also thinks one-piece bathing suits or body-con bodysuits will be popular picks. Some

other comfortable options Patterson suggests are bike shorts and tennis dresses.

And don't forget to accessorize.

"Usually, we see a lot of bright jewelry, a lot of statement jewelry," Patterson said. "People like to swap it out with a friend and trade bracelets or things like that. I think people like to have stuff to do that with. It's festival culture."

Fashion from the early 2000s has been an influence recently, and Patterson fully expects to see that trend in the shoes festival-goers will wear.

"A platform flip-flop is super popular and super cute," Patterson said. "And it helps you see over crowds, so it's kind of dual purpose."

JVNA

@jvna | jvnamusic.com 2:30-3:15 p.m. Friday Malibu Beach House 5-5:45 p.m. Friday Monster Beach Club

Hang Out In Style One Hangout Fest tent you should keep an eye out for is Volume ONE's pop-up braid bar.

This will be the local salons' third year at Hangout, and their stylists will be braiding hair all weekend long. But anyone really planning their look around a Volume ONE braid should get in line early. Volume ONE stylist and Marketing Director Mary Patterson told Inweekly that the line gets long—fast.

Since the Volume ONE team is a stylish bunch and Hangout veterans, Inweekly asked Patterson for some festival fashion tips and trend predictions.

One hair trend Patterson anticipates seeing and styling is "a lot of braids—just because people want to get their hair off their neck."

Back in 2018, festival-goers requested space buns more than braids, but Patterson thinks that style has phased out.

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Make sure you follow Volume ONE on Instagram for details (like the hours and location of their tent) and looks from the weekend— @volumeonesalon. inweekly.net

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Hangout Fest 2022

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Hangout Fest 2022

A Little Something Extra

By Gina Castro

Photo by Natalie Allgyer for Inweekly / From HOMF 2019 For any first-timers out there, here's a little something you need to know—Hangout is more than a music festival. In addition to its beachy setting, its creative amenities make it a truly unique experience for attendees.

For one, did you know you can get hitched at Hangout? There's a white chapel and an officiant ready for your disposal. And yes, the wedding can be real or just for fun. You just have to send an email to weddings@hangoutmusicfest.com to schedule a real ceremony. At least 30 couples are scheduled to get married this year so far.

"It's open for anyone and everyone to get married with two people or with a small group of friends,"said Reeves Price, vice president of operations for AEG Presents Gulf Coast/Winter Circle

"Our approach to festivals has always been to create a unique, immersive and engaging experience for the fans,"Price said. "Physical art is a great way to create that unique environment and compliment the music. People also love to take pictures in front of art, too."

The majority of the art at Hangout is a collaborative effort between festival producers and local and regional artists. One of the artists that has been a part of Hangout is Will Nemitoff, who owns the company Curious Form, which is based in New Orleans.

In addition to these experience-enhancing extras, the team at Hangout always encourages recycling through the weekend, too, and this year will be no different.

If you're a bargain hunter, then Hangout has the hunt for you. The attendee who collects the most recyclable waste wins two free tickets to next year's festival. To participate in this challenge, visit the Hangout recycling tent. Representatives at the tent will provide you with trash bags and a list of recyclable items.

"We fully believe and support the mission and message of Gulf Shores Beaches, which is 'leave only footprints,'"Price said. "We recognize that large events create waste, and we take a lot of effort into minimizing that waste in various ways, but the best way to do that is with the support of our attendees."

proximately the size of a hand) and fanny packs are allowed, too. And yes, all bags will be thoroughly checked at the entrance gate.

it can't be in an aerosol container or larger than three ounces. We usually buy three travel size bottles and bring one each day.

TOTALLY CHARGED

CASH OUT

•Water bottle Just remember, it can't be glass or larger than two liters, and it has to be empty when you enter the festival.

Productions and the chief planner for Hangout. "You're able to have fun with it—with costumes and Ring Pops and a fun theme. Or it can be a real wedding with actual vows exchanged."

Another amenity that will get your wheels turning is the roller disco. The pop-up skating rink has been a staple at the festival for a few years and will be back in action this weekend.

"There's a DJ that plays for people as they skate,"Price said. "It's just a blast and it's free to attendees."

And you don't even have to worry about skates or socks—Hangout has that covered.

The beach is already a picturesque venue, but Hangout turns it up a notch by featuring an array of art pieces throughout the festival grounds.

To learn more about this year's amenities, visit hangoutmusicfest.com/experience.

Back To Basics Even if you're a seasoned Hangout Fest veteran, we're all going to be a little rusty this year thanks to you-know-what.

But here at Inweekly, we've been hanging out at Hangout a long, long time, and not even a forced two-year hiatus could make us forget all the tips and tricks we've learned along the way. And of course, we're down to share because don't want anyone being forced to leave their bag behind at the security gate.

BAG IT UP

Like most large venues and festivals, Hangout has a clear bag policy. So make sure you leave your cute straw beach totes at home and get something that's clear plastic, clear vinyl or clear PVC. The bags also can't be too big—nothing larger than 12-by-6-by-12 is allowed. Small clutches (ap616 1

Hangout 2022 will be a cashless event—which is a first for the festival. Tap-to-pay, credit and debit cards will be accepted by all vendors. But if you forget, there will be a few "cash-to-card" booths inside the festival grounds were you can exchange cash for a Visa debit card.

•Sunglasses and/or a hat That mid-day beach sun is no joke, so it's probably a safe bet to bring both.

We are all about less is more, especially at Hangout. But there are a few select items we think should be mandatory for everyone:

•A beach towel Trust us—you're going to want to sit down at some point, and a towel or blanket really comes in handy.

•Sunscreen The higher the SPF the better. Just keep mind that

•Wet wipes Because port-o-potties, you know?

MUST HAVES

Once again, Hangout is teaming up with Electric Standard Co. to offer portable phone batteries with unlimited exchanges throughout the festival. So basically, you're buying a new phone charger from them (because you get to take one home) with one really cool perk— anytime the charger dies during the weekend, you can return it to any Electric Standard Co. location and exchange it for a freshly charged one. And guess what? All that juice is only going to cost you $30 if you pre-order at electricstandard.co/hangoutfest.

Visit hangoutmusicfest.com/info for more specifics on the bag policy and a complete list of allowed and prohibited items. inweekly.net

Hangout Fest 2022 Photo Courtesy of HOMF

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