With all of the turbulence in the festival world over the past four years, Hangout has managed to remain a constant.
Sure as Spring, Hangout returns to Gulf Shores, Alabama May 17-19 and tickets are still available if you’re looking for a last minute getaway.
Not only has there been consistency in the artist lineup booking since 2016, but the entire fan experience has been solid as well. In a time where new festivals are being announced while others canceled, and with ever-changing industry practices regarding ticketing, attendee safety and experience, Hangout has stayed the course while still making incremental improvements from year to year.
This year, Hangout hosts Lana Del Ray, Zach Bryan, Odesza and a multi-genre selection of undercard powerhouses. The poster features everything from pop and country to electronic and hip-hop. You can be sure the BLANK crew will be on-site, keeping you filled in on all the action with daily reviews and pictures from the beach.
NEW FOOTPRINT
This year, Hangout has condensed their festival footprint by eliminating one of the two beach clubs and bringing the Boom Stage from across the street onto the beach to take the place of the Surf Stage. This will bring more lighting, better sound and a bigger audience to the EDM and Hip-Hop artists that thrive off of it the most. Additionally, the Malibu Beach Club has been updated to the Shoreline Stage presented by Malibu. This change brings more versatility to the festival layout and introduces the only stage to have the Gulf of Mexico as its backdrop.
There has not been an official site map for 2024 announced yet, but the daily schedules could clue us in on the new layout. With the Hangout Main Stage having offset time slots to the Shoreline Stage and Boom on the Beach, I am hoping the new Shoreline Stage will be located closer to the Hangout Main Stage in order to reduce sound bleeding between stages. This would mean it could be visible from the main VIP viewing decks too, if you’re looking for another reason to upgrade.
EXPERIENCE AND SAFETY
Where other festivals have chosen to fight against free water, or cut costs on lounge areas, Hangout has doubled down in a positive direction. Not only will there be a number of free water stations around the festival, but planners have also doubled the amount of shade with three large shade structures on the beach and two large shaded dining pavilions. This year also brings about the introduction of The Nosh Pit, a brand-new, shaded dining pavilion adjacent to Boom on the Beach, serving snacks all day long.
PASS-SPECIFIC VALUE ADDS
GA Plus – The new expanded GA Plus lounge will feature permanent bathroom facilities, shade, bar, lockers, lounge seating and more. There’s even a jungle gym in there if you’re into that kind of thing.
VIP – The expanded Boom on the Beach VIP area offers more VIP viewing space, shade and seating. There is also a new Hangout VIP Grove with paid amenities like IV treatments, permanent jewelry, coffee and more.
Super VIP – This options gets you all of the above plus a new Super VIP up-front viewing at the Hangout and Boom on the Beach stages.
5 EARLY ARTISTS TO CATCH
The Stews / Friday 1:30 – 2:30 Hangout Main Stage
If you are driving in on Friday, it’s worth arriving early because the Hangout Main Stage is starting off with two strong acts. The Stews are a touring machine and their electric performances have snowballed their career from being regulars in the fraternity scene to sold out shows in prestigious venues around the country. Hot off two new singles, “Hourglass” and “Buried Alive,” their soul rock sound is ready for the big stage.
David Kushner / Friday 3:00 – 4:00 Hangout Main Stage
If you couldn’t get off of work quite in time for The Stews, don’t worry because the Hangout Main Stage is starting out with a strong back to back showing. David Kushner is a member of the Spotify billions club, and with 24 million monthly listeners, it might be Hangouts biggest 3 o’clock crowd ever. His ambient, melancholy piano-rock resonates with raw and honest vocals for a set sure to stir your soul.
Chappell Roan / Saturday 3:00 – 4:00 Hangout Main Stage
The success of her most recent album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess landed Chappell Roan on tour with Olivia Rodrigo, where she blew crowds away from February through March. Her follow up single, “Good Luck, Babe!” is a smash hit, earning her 9 million Spotify monthly listeners, and a way-to-early spot on the Hangout Main stage. She’s a gen z icon with a nostalgic pop sound and she’s likely going to be headlining festivals soon… is it casual now? This crowd will be massive.
Dariu$ and Sommer Ray / Saturday 12:30 – 2:00 Monster Beach Club
With the only set starting before 1:00, be sure to arrive 30 minutes early for the Dariu$/Sommer Ray back to back DJ sets in the Monster Beach Club. Sommer Ray brings the star power early in the day as an Instagram influencer turned DJ boasting 25 million followers. Remixing club anthems while dancing in the shade will be the best way to start off Odesza’s headline day.
Jamie Wyatt / Sunday 1:15 – 2:00 Mermaid Stage
Singer-songwriter Jamie Wyatt played shows for 20 years before her first taste of success in 2017. She is a hidden storyteller and her passion and dedication to her music is apparent in her vocals, lyrics and stage presence. Prepare for Zach Bryan’s Sunday headline set by kicking off the day with breezy Americana and vintage R&B vibes.
ICONIC HEADLINERS
Hangout has been known as an iconic flagship festival not just to fans, but artists as well. Boasting some of the best artist hospitality in the country, as well as premier media and staff accommodations, it’s no wonder they are able to land some of the world’s most sought after headliners.
FRIDAY – Lana Del Ray
Straight from the desert to the beach, the alternative pop star brings her Coachella performance to Hangout.
SATURDAY – Odesza
Having announced their summer 2024 “The Last Goodbye Finale” tour, Odesza kicks off at Hangout to deliver their last music festival performance, closing an iconic chapter in electronic music.
SUNDAY – Zach Bryan
As one of only three festival appearances this year, Zach Bryan brings his iconic country singer-songwriter live set to Hangout.
Tickets and flexible payment options are still available at hangoutmusicfest.com
