The Venue
HangOut Festival takes place on some of the best festival grounds on the planet. Taking over downtown Gulf Shores, Alabama the festival spreads across beachfront and the town’s boardwalk area. With three stages situated directly on white sandy beaches, festival goers feel like they are at a festival in paradise--- and they are! The two biggest stages,The Hangout Stage and The Surf Stage mirror each other on either ends of the beach. While watching names like Beck, Skrillex and Umphrey’s Mcgee fans are just feet away from the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The Malibu Beach Tent is also located on the beach; all weekend a slew of the hottest up and coming dj’s got down while offering an intimate viewing setting. The Palladia and the BMI Stage offered a viewing setting in the midst of the festival, surrounded by food and clothing vendors. Lastly, the Boom Boom Tent, which housed the majority of the festival’s electronic acts was equipped with amazing LED light boards, mind blowing light shows and of course, a system that shook you to your core.
Diverse Line Up
Want to get down to the hottest club tracks of the summer? Maybe you wanted to sit and sway to some smooth jazz, or maybe you wanted to sing your heart out along with some of the most talented acts in the business. Whatever you were feeling, you were able to see it at HangOut. This year HangOut brought one of the most diverse lineups of the summer, booking EDM superstars Skrillex, Jack Ü and Major Lazer the festival packed a punch when it came to serious dance music. Also locking down names like Gramatik, Gibbz and GRiZ, HangOut brought an element of funky electronic music to the festival’s forefront. The lineup also featured a slew of live music ranging from the Foo Fighter’ hard style of alternative rock to Zac Brown Band’s smooth country sounds. However, the gem act of the festival was Sunday night’s headliner, Beck. Winning the Grammy for Best Album of the Year in 2014 his set was on nearly everyone’s “Must Attend” list. The lineup was also dotted with lesser known names with arguably just as much talent including Foster the People, Phantogram, Odesza, and Umphrey’s Mcgee just to name a few.However, arguably the most diverse act at HangOut, Beats Antique, stole the show. Their exotic and playful sound accompanied world class belly dancers headed by Zoe Jakes, the show captivated the crowd a way not many other live acts can match.
Diverse Crowd
With the lineup having something for everyone, it’s no surprise that the crowd included a little bit of everyone as well. The festival is an 18 and older event, however, if you are a minor, you can still join in the fun, (you’ve just got to come with your family in tow! Many people make Hangout a family affair, and it was not uncommon to see groups with kids from toddler to teenager! The age of solo attendees also varies, from groups of college kids to middle aged parties, all types of people were welcomed at the festival. You could find kandi-kids and girls wearing fluffies at the Boom Boom Tent and then walk a short ways to the HangOut Stage and be sitting next to country and rock fans.
The Food
The food at HangOut Festival was enough to make anyone drool. With options ranging from fried to fresh there was something for everyone! Stir fry, pizza, falafel, salad, fruit, you could get it all! Notorious festival favorite Spicy Pie quelled festival goer’s pizza cravings. Our favorite was a booth called “Freshies,” which specialized in fresh fruit filled waffle cones, watermelon slices and delicious fruit smoothies. However, if you were lucky enough to go Super VIP for the weekend, food was another element to the experience all together. Each day in air-conditioned dining rooms you were served meals prepared by celebrity chefs using only the finest ingredients. I don’t know how festival food could possibly get any better!
By Madi Lawton