Spring has sprung.
One of the initial signs of the changing seasons comes from the first outdoor festivals of the calendar year. From the California desert to the beach of Alabama, Coachella and Hangout always signal the beginning of the music festival season.
This year’s Hangout Festival is an expected mix of genres ranging from top-40 pop and hip-hop hitmakers to underground indie and EDM rising stars. With diverse headliners and subheadliners and a solid poster throughout, Hangout delivers a compelling lineup, especially for the price and for those under the age of 30. All of this, of course, is accompanied by a weekend of partying on the beach and dancing in the sunshine (or the rain). While the BLANK crew enjoyed singing in the rain with Megan Thee Stallion last year, several sets were sabotaged by weather evacuations, including a personal favorite, Flipturn.
Here is a preview of that aforementioned favorite as well as a handful of others.
RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE (Hangout Stage / Friday @ 7:30 – 8:30)
Every festival needs a Cocaine Jesus, and for the past decade Nashville based Rainbow Kitten Surprise has been supplying euphoric sets at venues and festivals around the world. Rescheduled from 2020, the Alternative Rock band makes their Hangout debut on the mainstage, bringing soaring vocals over driving percussion and electric guitar. As if the music was written with the intention of being performed at a festival, the RKS sound entices audiences to draw closer and closer until they are hit hard with powerful hooks and riffs. There’s no better place to experience a Rainbow Kitten Surprise set than a Friday evening on the beach.
THE RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS (Hangout Stage / Friday @ 9:30 – 11:00)
Set to headline Hangout Music Festival in 2020, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers finally return to the beach for the first time since 2012. The Chillis close out night one on the Hangout Stage, setting the tone for the weekend. Who better to close first than one of the biggest rock bands of all time? They promise a high energy set full of iconic songs. There’s not much else I can say.
FLIPTURN (Surf Stage / Saturday @ 12:30-1:30)
In my 2022 BLANK News Hangout Preview, I strongly recommended arriving early on Sunday to catch the meteoric rise of the young Florida-based Indie-Rock band. Their 2022 Hangout set may have been cut short due to weather, but they are back just 1 year later and better than ever. Quick recap – in just the short 365 days since I last wrote about Flipturn in that preview, Knoxville has seen them open for Rainbow Kitten Surprise at the Civic Auditorium, headline BLANK sponsored New Ground Music Festival, and sell out a headline show at the Bijou. Not to mention their release of (in my opinion) one of the best Indie-Rock albums of the year, Shadowglow. Well, if you’re making the trip down to the gulf again, consider last year’s rain a blessing in disguise because Flipturn will be kicking off the Surf Stage on Saturday with their heart warming melodies and mind melting guitar tones.
DANIEL NUNNELEE (Mermaid Stage / Saturday @ 3:15 – 4:00)
Nashville native Daniel Nunnelee makes his Hangout debut on Saturday at the Mermaid stage. Fresh off of an opening tour with Shakey Graves, Daniel has made it to the big leagues. His honest and emotional vocals hit hard and he is able to make audiences connect intimately at his shows in a personal way regardless of the size of the crowd. As with Noah and many other new artists this year, Daniel gained popularity through TikTok with his song Pick and Choose, which was regularly co promoted with new releases from Knoxville musician Cece Coakley. The Mermaid stage is a perfect setting for Nunnelee’s vibe, and I can’t recommend taking a moment to chill with him Saturday afternoon enough.
THE 502S (Surf Stage / Sunday @ 12:30 – 1:30)
The 502s sit in the same spot that Flipturn did last year. A fresh indie band kicking off one of the main stages on Sunday. And if the trajectory of their peers says anything about what’s in store for their own future, you’ll want to catch this train while you can. With a Lumineers-esk sound, The 502s bring their Alternative Folk – Rock sound from Florida across the gulf to Hangout. If you are excited for the likes of some later sets such as Noah Kahan or Daniel Nunnelee, it’s worth arriving early for this group. Featuring trumpet, banjo, and harmonica, along with the typical rock characters, The 502s bring a fun and upbeat, fresh yet nostalgic atmosphere to the beach.
HIPPIE SABOTAGE (Boom Stage / Sunday @ 2:00 – 3:00)
The genre bending EDM duo Hippie Sabotage brings their downtempo sound to Hangout on Sunday. With plenty of bass to rock the speakers of the Boom stage, the group brings a laid back stoner vibe to the festival. Brothers Kevin and Jeff Saurer have been making music since 2005 delivering Iconic tracks throughout the 2010s. Hippie Sabotage builds on their sound in their recent album release, Trailblazer, and you don’t want to miss it showcased on one of the best sounding stages around.
NOAH KAHAN (Surf Stage / Sunday @ 4:30 – 5:30)
Rising to global fame through TikTok since the pandemic, Noah Kahan has become a huge influence in the indie-folk world. Delivering raw, passionate lyrics with high energy, emotional tracks, it’s no surprise Noah’s intensity has drawn a huge following. Having only started releasing music in 2018/2019, he is still relatively new to the touring world, and I am excited to see what he is capable of doing on a stage like the Surf Stage. His 3rd and most recent album, Stick Season, amassed him millions of new fans, including myself. If you’re into dancing, screaming, and crying all in the same set, this one’s for you.
THE BACKSEAT LOVERS (Hangout Stage / Sunday @ 5:30 – 6:30)
The Backseat Lovers are one of the hottest bands in the College market right now. Cries requesting bands “Play Kilby Girl!” can be heard from the crowd at most fraternity gigs or campus strip bars. They have become a leading force in the Indie sound, and have popularized a whole subculture based on the Salt Lake City ‘Kilby Girl’ that includes fashion, music, personality, and even a branded festival in their hometown. The Backseat Lovers are no stranger to playing live and have been blowing minds at accelerating rates across North America and Europe for years. The group makes their Hangout debut on Sunday on the main stage.
ASHNIKKO (Surf Stage / Sunday @ 6:30 – 7:30)
Hot off a highly praised Coachella set, Ashnikko is gearing up for the release of her 2023 Sophomore Album, WEEDKILLER, with two recent successful single releases that have Ashnikko poised to strike hot on the beach for her Hangout debut. Bringing a futuristic, electric rap sound with rock influences, Ashnikko has energy, personality, and artistic visuals that make for an outstanding performance that speaks to female empowerment, sexuality, and pushing boundaries.
SKRILLEX (Surf Stage / Sunday @ 8:30 – 9:30)
Those of you keeping up with recent festival news may know that Skrillex was called in, along with Fred Again and Fourtet, as a last minute replacement of Frank Ocean at Weekend Two of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Many have speculated that some of the of the surprise guests, and certain other aspects of the set involved at Coachella might be making an appearance on the beach next week. Hangout has contributed to the hype by pushing the Coachella parallels on social media. Aside from Skrillex, both festivals feature performances by Ashnikko, Calvin Harris, The Kid Laroi, Big Wild and GloRilla. Special guests or not, Skrillex is still a must see set. A pioneer of American EDM and eight-time grammy winner, the DJ makes his third Hangout appearance, continuing to deliver legendary sets on the biggest stages.
