Hangout Music Fest takes festivalling to a whole other level with a combination of beach, music and more on the golden sands of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The huge line-up merges the biggest and best artists of multiple genres offering 3 full days of contemporary pop, rock, hip-hop, EDM, country and indie music. What more could a festival-goer ask for than good music, friends, and their toes in the sand?! Well, there is actually so much more… After taking a couple year hiatus due to the pandemic, Hangout is back and better than ever. While the music lineup is AMAZING (which we will get to our must-sees shortly), there is so much more they have to offer for patrons. A music festival is obviously about the music, but it is also a festival which usually means there are other experiences to be had during your time there. Yes, Hangout is on the beach – that is enough said for most – but did you know that it also has a roller disco, private beach/ocean access, a spa, Ferris wheel, a wedding chapel, infamous art installations as well as good eats! When it comes to festivals, I like to think of Hangout as the creme de la creme of festivals. Any true festival goer can appreciate the camping that most festivals offer, but Hangout accommodations usually consist of beach front condos, sun and WATER. It is definitely the most luxurious one on this coast. If you really wanna get bougey and party in luxury there VIP and Super VIP options are definitely worth every penny. They offer special entrances, a stage-side pool, complimentary drinks, performances and viewing spots for their patrons, and Super VIP event boasts complimentary dining with gourmet meals from award-winning chefs, private cabanas, as well as golf cart shuttles between the main stages. If you wanna level up even more, they even have a Big Kahuna option which includes 24/7 special concierge and basically side stage viewing of the performances. One year we got a day where we were able to enjoy some of the VIP amenities to see what it was like, and let me tell you, if you can DO IT. It was amazing and forever changed our mind on what VIP at any festival should be like. So at this point let’s talk a little bit about some things to remember when attending a beach music festival, like what to bring – what not to bring, and the ins-and-outs of partying like a rockstar but still managing to last a full day in the sun for three whole days. We are going to focus mostly on what to bring – there’s a full list of what not to bring on there website, but the obvious ones are no glass, no outside food or drinks (minus baby foods – but don’t worry there are a ton of food options), no chairs, and the obvious of weapons and things alike. First of all, don’t bring everything and the kitchen sink with you into the festival – leave that stuff at your home-base for the weekend. Basically if you have to question if it will be allowed, then don’t bring it. Some items that you should bring include: • Do not forget SUNSCREEN – I don’t care how well you tan, you will need it. Those UV rays are no joke and if you do burn it will make the rest of your trip miserable. They allow in Liquid sunscreen (3oz or less), don’t try to bring in the spray kind they won’t allow it through the gates. BUT if you do forget, you can buy some in the stores that are inside of the festival grounds, but you will pay a bit of a premium for it. • Following up on the sun protection, sunglasses and hats are also good things to bring. Don’t be that person that brings the biggest, floppiest sun hat you can find and stands in front of everyone. You are obstructing other people’s views and it’s obnoxious. Please don’t be THAT person, try a bucket hat. • Blankets and beach towels are a must for staking your claim in the sand for the show. It gives your group a boundary to relax in and most
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people will walk around them. Now that being said, if you are at an EDM / high energy show near the front of the stage, this courtesy does not always apply. A swimsuit (if you aren’t already wearing it in), back up flip flops, band aids, clear plastic ziplock bags, and an empty non-glass water container (max size is 2 liters… STAYING HYDRATED IS KEY). A few other items that we suggest but remember they have to be SEALED/UNOPENED are chapstick/gloss, gum/breath mints, travel size deodorant, tampons/feminine products (for the ladies) and cigarettes (for the smokers and as a note- they do not allow vapes or electronic cigarettes – I know this can be a tough one for some).
So getting all of these items in is another noteworthy topic, Hangout has a CLEAR bag policy with size restrictions. So backpacks, bags and purses must follow this rule and be no larger than 12″x6″x12″. There are a few exceptions, Small clutches that are hand size with or without strap that are no larger than 4.5″x6.5″, fanny packs, and CamelBaks. But a note on the CamelBaks, the bladder must be a removable one and empty upon entry, and that can have no more than ONE additional pocket outside of the compartment that holds the water bladder. I don’t know how many years we have seen trash bins outside of the entrance full of brand new bags and such that didn’t fit these requirements. You definitely do not want to be in this situation – it is heart-breaking. Ultimately, the goal is to stay unburned, hydrated, and have a blast listening to music on the beach. Like any festival it is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Don’t get too drunk, be nice, see something -say something, look out for the environment and pick up after yourself, and appreciate that live music and this festival is finally back!
NMG’S HANGOUT TOP MUST SEE ARTISTS (outside of the headliners, of course)
Oliver Tree – think of him as a mix of pop, rock and electronic. He has been killing the Billboard alt. rock charts and for good reason. You have probably even heard some of his music and didn’t even know it. Here’s one of our faves by him to give you a taste of what to expect. Surfaces – is a Texas-based duo that illuminates that the “no shirt, no shoes, no problem” ideology in their music. They are relatively new, being formed in 2017 but have also taken the Billboard charts by storm with songs like “Sunday Best” and their collab with Sir Elton John on “Learn to Fly”, but the most appropriate song for this festival would definitely be this one… Lucii – would be our EDM non-headlining pick for Friday. She is the creator of unique genre called Space Bass. Launching in 2017, our favorite quote from her bio is “her music is here to stay until the Earth is no more, where it then will return to the cosmos.” Audrey Nuna – is a first generation Korean-American hailing from New Jersey and is a true ambassador for not only female hip-hop artists but her culture as well. Her get up and go attitude has proved fruitful in her music career and if you are into boss music babes, you will like Audrey.
Oliver Tree
Surfaces
Lucii
