It’s finally time to head down to the beach for Hangout Music Festival. After two years off, Hangout is making a triumphant return to Gulf Shores featuring a loaded lineup of some of music’s biggest up and comers, with a few future legends to boot.
With 14 headliners, there will certainly be no shortage of chart-topping hits drifting through the ocean air May 20-22 on the white sands of Alabama.
A genre-diverse cast includes female powerhouses Doja Cat, Maren Morris and Phobe Bridgers, hip hop risers Jack Harlow, Megan thee Stallion and Post Malone and country from Kane Brown.
Tame Impala, Fall Out Boy and Zedd round out some of the poster’s top names. There certainly is something for everyone’s taste.
However, if you find yourself looking for something a little less celebrity, Hangout has you covered there too. You all know BLANK is always looking for the freshest and finest new music, so let’s take a look at who else Hangout has to offer that you may not have heard on the radio (yet).
Briston Maroney (FRIDAY, MERMAID STAGE 7:00 – 7:45)
Of course we have to start with the Knoxville native, Briston Maroney. Some of you may remember him as last year’s headliner of Knoxville’s own New Ground Music Festival, or you may remember him as a teenager playing the likes of Market Square and Rhythm n’ Blooms with his former band Subtle Clutch. Either way, Briston Maroney is quickly becoming the new prince of indie, and now would be a good time to get on the bandwagon. With the recent release of his album Sunflower, Briston has taken the US and EU touring scenes by storm with sold-out high-energy performances everywhere he goes. With powerful lyrics and a voice that holds pain and wisdom beyond its years, his recent releases will make you dance, cry and mosh from one song to the next. On top of that, his band features some of Nashville’s finest indie rock musicians, including Devin Badgett, who you may know from his days in Knoxville based bands Subtle Clutch and Vanosdale. This set could definitely be a highlight of the weekend.
Dayglow (FRIDAY, SURF STAGE 3:15 – 4:00)
22-year-old Sloan Struble is the creative force of Dayglow, which makes it a shame he isn’t direct support to Sunday Headliner Tame Impala. Alas, his set will be worth watching anyway. Inspired by 80’s dance music, Struble has placed his own modern spin on Indie music. His first record, “Fuzzybrain” came out at the end of 2019, and his shot at live growth was shut down by COVID-19. When he released his second Album on the back end of the pandemic, he had already had the biggest independent Alternative release of 2020, and quickly sold out a national headlining tour. After amassing hundreds of millions of streams and video views during the pandemic, Dayglow is ready to take the 2022 festival season by force, playing the likes of Bonnaroo, Mo Pop, Firefly, and of course Hangout – among others. You can finally see your favorite pandemic release live, the way it was meant to be.
The Band CAMINO (SATURDAY, SURF STAGE 6:45 – 7:45)
If you want to see a band that is great at what they do, look no further than The Band CAMINO. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee and coming up playing frat houses at the University of Tennessee, I first saw CAMINO open for The Pinklets and Silent Rival at the Open Chord back in 2017. Not long after I saw them headline the Mill & Mine, and there is a reason for that. The Band CAMINO has begun perfecting their sound and their sophomore album proves it. If you get down with the music of COIN, Colony House, The 1975, or others, this is a must see set. The band has two front men, which provides a unique and extremely high energy dynamic. Full and thick guitar tones are laced with melodic synth lines to form a perfect electro rock sound. Coupled with heartfelt lyrics sung by some stylish young men, how could these guys not be superstars?
Moon Taxi (SATURDAY, SURF STAGE 3:00 – 4:00)
Somewhat of a Knoxville enigma, Moon Taxi has seen great success here in the Scruffy City – definitely a local favorite. From headlining BLANK fest in 2014 to World’s Fair Park in 2021, the people of Knoxville keep bringing them back, and for good reason. Originating in Nashville, Knoxville is sort of a second home. The folk-leaning Alternative Rock band bends genres, which appeals to a wide range of audiences. A gem of the live scene, they are often grouped in with the likes of The Dirty Guv’nahs and Umphrey’s McGee. They finally saw major streaming success in 2017 with their single “Two High”. Since then, they don’t hold back in the studio, or on stage either, and that creates a certain type of emotional appeal that can be rare in the music industry machine. Their style takes well to the festival environment, which is why they have played almost all of them – and why you should make sure to catch their set at Hangout.
Neal Francis (SATURDAY, SURF STAGE 1:30 – 2:15)
If you happened to attend the BLANK sponsored Second Bell Music Festival in 2021, you are already well acquainted with what Neal Francis can do on a stage. Probably best described as jam funk, Neal Francis is an electric man. He is a bit of an old soul that would have thrived in the 70’s, but he still looks the part today. His music is earnest, profound and just plain good. Francis rocks a standup studio piano with what most would call a massive whammy bar attached to the top. This allows him to create a completely individual sound and style that, disclaimer, may leave you with a sore neck from all the head banging.
Flipturn (SUNDAY, HANGOUT STAGE 12:45 – 1:30)
The youngest group we are featuring here is Flipturn. A high school garage rock band that has had a meteoric rise in the modern indie scene, they will be opening Sunday festivities on the main stage, and it’s worth arriving early for. The group features a uniquely gender bending sound with harmonies between strong female and emotional male vocals that result in an inimitable sound and inclusive musical experience. The chemistry between band mates is palpable, creating a bond between the band and the listener that leads fans to scream every word to every song along with them. And by the way, if you enjoy their set at Hangout, you can catch Flipturn right here in Knoxville this September at BLANK sponsored New Ground Music Festival.
Diesel (SUNDAY, BOOM STAGE 8:00 – 9:00)
Shaquille O’Neal AKA Shaq Diesel is one of America’s favorite personalities on the court and on TV, but nowhere is his character so exaggerated as on stage. Believe it or not, the 7 foot 325 pound NBA Hall of famer released a rap album in 1993, making him the only athlete to have a platinum selling album. It even reached #25 on the Billboard charts. However, when he crashed a Tomorrowland festival set in 2014, he met Skrillex and Steve Aoki and got hooked on electronic music. He’s dropped some singles online, but most of his musical career takes place live, which is why he is a great act to close down the Boom stage on Sunday. This isn’t a DJ you go to see that blows your mind with amazing artistic production, but it is one of the best acts to see for pure entertainment. Have fun and rave away on the beach with Shaq. How awesome.
Tickets and more info are available at hangoutfest.com
