Inweekly Hangout Fest 2019 Guide

Independent News | May 16, 2019 | Volume 20 | Number 20 | Cardi B / Photo by Jora Frantzis, Vampire Weekend / Photo by Monika Mogi, Khalid / Photo by Ben Houdijk

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Hangout Fest 2019 The third weekend of May is finally here, which means it's time for the biggest beach party of the year—Hangout Fest.

And we know we say this every year, but this lineup really might be the best yet.

Travis Scott. Vampire Weekend. Cardi freaking B. Seriously. We still can't believe we get to see all these superstars in one weekend. Just make sure you remember that last

part. Hangout Fest is a full-on three-day weekend. Three really long, really hot days. So make sure you pace yourself and stay hydrated. Think marathon, not sprint, people.

To help you plan for the weekend, we've once again put together a jam-packed guide—complete with artist interviews, must-see picks and packing tips. So read up and get ready to fest with the best of them. We'll see you in Gulf Shores.

Photo by Greg Riegler May 16, 2019

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INWEEKLY MUST-SEE 9:45-11 p.m. • Saturday Hangout Stage

Khalid / Original Photo by RO.LEXX 414 1

inweekly.net

of the way. It gives us this kind of freedom, which I love. I can't imagine being in a band with like six writers anyway. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

The pianist credits the success of the band to this simplicity in songwriting as well as the energy the band has on stage.

"A lot of our sustainability has come from having simple songs and having a band that has fun on stage," Ulvang said. "We've all been to shows where people don't really move around. Even as one person when I play, I try to have as much three-dimensional movement for being locked to a guitar and cable and mic stand. And I think that's hard to do, but I love that [movement]."

Ulvang says that the band is excited about returning to Hangout Fest after having cut their festival teeth on the same stage seven years ago.

"We played Hangout Fest in 2012. I think our manager knew someone and they gave us a pity spot—the first spot Sunday morning. That was our first festival, and we didn't even have an album out yet. Seven years later, we're headlining."

Stelth Ulvang/ Original Photo by Trey Pfeiffer

Local Hangs with The Lumineers

By Sydney Robinson

On 10:30 p.m. this past Saturday night, patrons of Hub Stacey's were interrupted from their usual karaoke bonanza and baskets of hot wings for a special treat—a man in a trucker hat and button-down white shirt appeared on stage. The TV screen displayed Radiohead's "Creep," but the song the man sang over the tune was none other than Smash Mouth's 1999 hit "All Star."

The crowd was understandably confused at first. But by the end of it, everyone in the bar was clapping and singing along to the a capella'd final verse because "only shooting stars break the mold" after all.

Most of Hub's crowd and staff didn't know that the man on stage belting out the hit was Stelth Ulvang, longtime pianist for The Lumineers.

The day prior to his smash karaoke performance (pun intended), Ulvang played a set of his solo songs at chizuko. Inweekly was able to sit down with Ulvang after that show to discuss The Lumineers' upcoming Hangout Fest headlining performance and why he's hanging out in dive bars in Pensacola.

"If you're within a block of the place, I'm sure you can hear us," Ulvang began.

The place he is referring to is Pensacola Bay Center. The Lumineers spent the past week and a half rehearsing lighting cues for their upcoming festival performance at the venue. Obvious or not, the secret has been well kept from Pensacola residents who might be surprised to learn such a famous band has been hanging around town for a week or more.

May 16, 2019

But why here? And why prepare for an open-air performance in a closed arena?

"We gotta practice for lighting cues, and you can't practice that in the daylight," Ulvang explained. "Do you know how hard it is to find vacant arenas in the U.S.? And right now, it's prom week in America, so it's even harder."

Though the city's empty venue was a rare find for the band, if it were up to Ulvang, the Lumineers might not have come to Pensacola at all.

Apparently, he had some bad experiences in our delightful little city in the past.

"I've been through [Pensacola] maybe half a dozen times about 10 years ago, and I had a really bad hitchhiking experience here."

But as he noted during the beginning of his surprise set at chizuko, the city was beginning to grow on him.

"I didn't think I would ever perform here… but you guys are making me think maybe it's not so bad," he told the crowd.

Ulvang, who ultimately decided he was an ovo-pescatarian after much back and forth, said that he was excited about the growing vegan food scene in the area.

"I always liked Sluggo's. That was one of the spots I knew," he said.

It wasn't until a trip back to an old favorite End of the Line Cafe that he learned about one of our newer vegan spots—chizuko.

"I came [to chizuko] last night and talked to them, and they were sweet enough to let me play a set," Ulvang said. "I haven't played a show in two or three months as

myself. When The Lumineers aren't touring, I'm touring on my own. I've put out three or four records on my own."

The set Ulvang played was a notable departure from the music he plays with The Lumineers. Barefooted and stomping to the beat, he played guitar and sang several of his own songs in a voice strikingly similar to Ben Folds. Occasionally, Ulvang broke into a falsetto to impersonate his wife and singing partner, Dorota.

"My wife usually tours with me … she plays violin and sings and plays bass sometimes, too."

But she isn't the only multi-instrumentalist in the band. He primarily plays piano, guitar and sings. But what else can he do?

"In The Lumineers, I play piano, guitar, accordion and sometimes mandolin. Outside of that, I also play banjo, bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone as well as some horns," Ulvang listed.

Ulvang came to The Lumineers via a bygone era social media platform (Myspace) in early 2010.

"I've been with [The Lumineers] full on since 2011, so coming up on eight years," Ulvang said. "Every album, there is this growing and then there's this drop afterwards and this mystery of not knowing where it's going to go, and then it rises back up again. Our second album did really well, but those two dudes—Jeremiah [Fraites] and Wes [Schultz]—who started the band, they kind of hunker down, write the record on their own, and we kind of stay out

THE LUMINEERS 9:35-11 p.m.

Sunday Hangout Stage

Pump Up the Volume Once again, the Volume One crew is heading to Hangout Fest, so make sure you find them and get a festive 'do upgrade.

With the help of stylists from Salon San Carlos (also Pensacola locals) and Melrose & McQueen out of Atlanta, they'll be serving up fresh "festival hair" all weekend long. They'll be doing all kinds of braids, plus spray on color and glitter roots, with some flower power thrown in for good measure.

Make sure you follow them on Instagram for more details and looks from the weekend—@volumeonesalon.

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Girls

Left to Right: Ravyn Lenae / Original Photo by Sam Kfare, King Princess / Original Photo by ClareGillen , Elley Duhé Bottom: Bebe Rexha / Original Photo by Dennis Leupold

This year's Hangout Fest lineup features some female heavy-hitters—like Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Alison Wonderland.

But these aren't the only women's sets you don't want to miss. Check out these 10 females who are also set to rock the beach this weekend.

1. ELLA MAI

Ella Mai is the definition of a hitmaker. No doubt you've heard at least one of the R&B queen's many hits circulating the radio— "Trip," "Boo'd Up" and "Shot Clock." And feel free to judge the English singer-songwriter's self-titled album by its cover. The pale pink fur coat and striped pants she wears are sartorial signs of the coolness ahead.

9-9:45 p.m. Sunday, Boom Boom Tent

2. JADE BIRD

If Jade Bird isn't the songbird of your subconscious, no one is. The folk rock-leaning singer laments, "You're not the first one to leave me and you won't be the last/It just doesn't heave me like it did in the past," in her heart-wrenching track "17." She covers many a genre in her self-titled debut album, each peeling back a new layer of emotion, or sass, with it.

4-4:45 p.m. Saturday, BMI Mermaid Stage

3. KING PRINCESS

Her moniker is as punchy as her 2018 pop hit "Pussy is God." A Brooklyn-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, King Princess, turned down a record deal at age 11 to finish school, according to her bio. She was the product of a musical family, spending much of her childhood tinkering on the vintage Neve board in her father's Brooklyn studio and learning instrumentation along the way.

4-5 p.m. Sunday, Pandora Surf Stage

4. BISHOP BRIGGS

Bishop Briggs is certifiably cool on an international level. The indie pop singer616 1

To The

songwriter was born to Scottish parents, raised in Japan and Hong Kong and then immersed in American pop culture while attending college in Hollywood. Don't expect this sultry songstress to hold back in her lyrics. Her prized jewel "Baby" sounds urban and cultured in every version.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Hangout Stage

5. CRAY

She isn't crazy. But she is crazy talented.

The Los Angeles-based singer, producer and DJ's name is Cheney Ray, (aka CRAY).

Her 2019 release, "Love Cemetery," is as dark and seductive as her deep vocals. If the title doesn't give it away, the catchy track has dark undertones for days.

2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, 5:45-6:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:45-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Monster Beach Club

6. CHIKA

Chika is a fast-spitting, politically-charged hip-hop artist from Montgomery, Ala. Her clever rhymes are not only absurdly cool but also observant and revealing. For an added layer of badassery, Jane Oranika, (aka Chika), is known for the "Ego Challenge"—which is an internet trend that inspired people to express their love for their flaws by rapping or singing over Beyonce's "Ego." 6:45-7:20 p.m. Friday, BMI Mermaid Stage

7. RAVYN LENAE

Chicago singer-songwriter Ravyn Lenae taps into electronic, R&B and hip-hop in her 2018 EP "Crush." The music video for the track "4 Leaf Clover" featuring Steve Lacy is worth a watch … or 10. If you aren't living for the vintage sleepover montage, then you need to revisit your childhood and up your slumber party game.

1:15-2 p.m. Saturday, Boom Boom Tent

Front 8. ELLEY DUHÉ

Elley Duhé will mesmerize you in the first five seconds of her passionate electronic pop song "Savior." All seven songs on her 2018 EP "Dragon Mentality" have the same internationally-inspired sound—even more interesting considering her roots aren't far from Hangout Fest. She grew up shuttling the 45 minutes between the small coastal towns of Vancleave, Miss., and Dauphin Island, Ala. 12-12:45 p.m. Sunday, Hangout Stage

9. RACHEL TORRO

If this San Francisco DJ isn't on your radar yet, she should be. Torro is starting to make a name for herself in the SF house music scene. Her minimalistic techno vibes will undoubtedly create a chill beach atmosphere listeners won't want to miss.

12:45-1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Monster Beach Club

10. ELOHIM

Calling all electronic music lovers.

Elohim's cheery pop anthem "Half Love" is the answer to your prayers.

The L.A.-based electronic alternative artist says, "Don't half love me," and we can't help but think that's not a request; it's a demand. Love her all the way or don't love her at all.

3:30-4:15 p.m. Sunday, Boom Boom Tent inweekly.net

INWEEKLY MUST-SEE 9-9:45 p.m. • Sunday Boom Boom Tent

Ella Mai / Original Photo by meeno May 16, 2019

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Easy Life / Original Photo by Jack Bridgland

Easy Like "Sunday" Mornings

By Savannah Evanoff

Sundays aren't for grocery shopping.

Murray, the frontman for hip-hop group Easy Life, is sure of it while explaining why he compares a woman to the first calendar day of the week in the band's single "Sunday."

The lyrics are about him being "crazy, head over heels in love" with a girl and never getting out of bed when he's with her.

"People are beautiful, but people are all beautiful messes." MURRAY "It's funny because some people say they hate Sundays," Murray said. "Some people are like, 'I love Sundays,'—especially

in England, because you hang out and do nothing and watch films. The reason I compared her to a Sunday is because of the chill vibes you can get on a Sunday in the U.K. I heard it's the same in America."

So, if you spend Sundays buying groceries, Murray suggests upping your Sunday game.

The single is from the U.K. group's latest record, "Spaceships Mixtape." The album title is a reflection of its sound, Murray explained.

"The sonics of the mixtape were supposed to be wavy and space age and have an intergalactic, dreamlike feel to it," Murray said. "All the songs also contextually live in that same realm. We were all obsessed with NASA and space travel as kids, too, so it was a bit of an homage to that as well."

Easy Life wrote and produced the album in only four weeks, then released it immediately.

The content is raw and fresh.

"Sometimes we can sit on music and it sort of becomes a little bit irrelevant contextually by the time we actually put it out," Murray said. "With this, I'm still going through a lot of the stuff we talk about in the Mixtapes—the good and the bad stuff.

I'm still in that headspace really."

Performing allows him to revisit those feelings and regurgitate them live.

"It's weird living it and getting behind the sentiment of the whole track live, and I think the audience can do the same," Murray said.

"We see a lot of people lose themselves and get crazy live, and I think it's because we're doing the same."

"Basics" was the defining moment amid Easy Life's newest music. "No way," Murray said, seeming genuinely excited he was asked about this song specifically.

They wanted the track to sound like it was dropped on this planet from outer space.

"It also has this lyric about looking up to the clouds and the whole bigger picture mentality to it," Murray said, "You know when you're with someone and you gotta go through all that shit to work on a relationship, whether that be friends or a romance—whatever it is you're after … I guess that song is about that and coming to terms with that. Everything's a little bit fucked up at the minute, but we good. We're gonna be alright."

Easy Life is in Amsterdam during our phone interview. The band flew back to England from Coachella, picked up its van, drove to Brussels for a show, then returned to Amsterdam.

"We haven't showered," Murray said.

"We're ruined. We look like we should be at the end of a festival tour."

While Easy Life is looking a tad ragged, Murray jokingly presumes the people he saw at Coachella are looking beautiful and drinking protein shakes somewhere right now.

Performing at the April festival was "fucking sick," Murray said. It was the group's first time in L.A., and California in general.

"Going to these places was just mental," Murray said. "Loads of the music I was influenced by has historically also been

from that West Coast scene, so it was crazy to be out there living it. Obviously Coachella's Coachella. It was funny to see people all dressed up for the occasion and taking selfies and losing their mind on Instagram."

But Murray admits they were all over their socials, too.

"It was brutal," Murray said. "Obviously, in a way, it really did sort of piss me off seeing people posing and people so composed.

If you go to a British festival of that stature—Glastonbury or something—people are ruined and definitely not photo ready.

Everyone at Coachella was beautiful and remained that way for the whole weekend.

It was a little bit fake. People are beautiful, but people are all beautiful messes. I wanted to see that."

When asked about the group's name, Murray said it's a bit related to social media and how people aspire to have things they don't already possess.

"Easy Life's just about chillin' really, but also about the paradox that to get to a chillin' time, you have to go through some adversity or some kind of downfall," Murray said. "That's super deep. That's definitely way more deep than it needs to be."

Murray can't wait to see how Hangout Fest differs from Coachella and was stoked when they added the festival to their tour.

"I heard it has spring break vibes and everyone gets out and parties on the beach," Murray said. "We are so excited to be playing Hangout. I think it's going to be a party."

Plus, "you know what?" Murray has missed the American accent, he said.

"I've been back in Europe for like two days, and it's already making me feel melancholy," Murray said. "It's nice to hear your voice."

EASY LIFE

12:30-1:15 p.m.

Saturday BMI Mermaid Stage

Hangout Smarter Not Harder Here at Inweekly, we've been hanging out at Hangout a long, long time. And during that time, we've learned a thing or two—like how to properly experience a Diplo set and how many travel-sized sunblocks you'll need to survive three full days of sweaty fun.* Here are five of our favorite tips and tricks to help you maximize your experience this weekend and avoid being forced to leave your purse behind at the security gate.

JUST SO IT'S CLEAR

Like most large venues and festivals, Hangout has transitioned to a clear bags only policy. So make sure you leave your cute straw beach totes at home and get something that's clear plastic, clear vinyl or clear 818 1

PVC. The bags also can't be too big—nothing larger than 12" x 6" x 12" is allowed.

LOCK IT UP

If you decide to buy merch (which you totally will) and didn't come prepared with a clear bag, remember that Hangout Fest offers onsite lockers. In addition to a safe place to store your goods, they also come with unlimited cell phone charging. Talk about a win-win. Lockers are just $20 a day or $50 for the weekend, and you can reserve one in advance at hangoutmusicfest.com/lockers.

MUST HAVES

We are all about less is more, especially at Hangout. But there are a few select items

we think should be mandatory—a reusable water bottle (your wallet and the planet will thank you), Wet Wipes (they are way more versatile than hand sanitizer) and sunscreen (make sure you shop for small bottles with big SPF protection).

TOTALLY CHARGED

This year, Hangout has teamed up with Electric Standard Co. to offer portable battery packs with unlimited exchanges throughout the festival. So basically, you're buying a new phone charger from them (because you get to take one home) with one really cool perk—anytime the charger dies during the weekend, you can return it to any Electric Standard Co. loca-

tion and exchange it for a freshly charged one. And guess what? All that juice is only going to cost you $25 if you pre-order at electricstandard.co/hangoutfest.

PAPER TRAIL

We know there's a Hangout app, but trust us when we say that having a paper copy of the schedule will come in handy more than you think. In fact, we believe this tip so much that we included the full three-day schedule in this very issue (on page 21). *The answers, in case you're curious, are in the middle of the crowd (because the front is just too much but the back doesn't get enough bass) and three (one per day, per person). inweekly.net

Superorganism / Original Photo by Steph Wilson

The Science Behind Superorganism

By Savannah Evanoff

Music buffs look at electronic pop band Superorganism the same way scientists assess the swarms of humpback whales convening in the southwest coast of Africa. No one really knows the details of how or why the eight-piece collective formed, but it's worth a closer look.

A photo of these mysterious whale gatherings is a chunk of the conversation that led to Superorganism's band name, said backup singer Ruby.

"A lot of us were really obsessed with the idea of technology and nature and how they interwove with each other and also how they're quite similar." RUBY "We started talking about superorganisms and the idea of what they were," Ruby said. "A lot of us were really obsessed with the idea of technology and nature and how they interwove with each other and also how they're quite similar. Each of them May 16, 2019

relies on other things to make it all work."

"The whale is this huge, amazing beast that other species rely on," she continued.

Ruby thinks one of them brought up a whale in a WhatsApp chat—not unlike their iconic origin story. The band met and worked through the internet for a while before moving in together in London. Ruby worked on two or three songs with pint-sized lead singer, Orono Noguchi, before they even met in person.

"What happens with the group is we all talk about stuff that we like, and often, something gets pulled out of it from one of the members to be used for something," Ruby said. "All of our ideas are collective ideas, even if it's one person in the group who brings them to life."

Robert Strange, the band's visual artist, took a liking to the whale. Turquoise inflatable whales hung from the ceiling when the band performed at NPR's Tiny Desk C— one of their favorite performances to date.

"It was quite mind-blowing to be at NPR—in that same space where you see all these others perform—and then you're like, 'Oh, my God, I'm doing this,'" Ruby said. "It was a special acoustic stripped-down version of what we would normally do at a live show … We really pulled out all our guns for that. We wanted to recreate some of the sounds we recorded for the album."

The songs on Superorganism's selftitled debut album are like children, so

Ruby doesn't like to play favorites. But she does anyway.

"Something for Your M.I.N.D.," was the first song they recorded and the first song fans heard and latched onto. Every time she performs it, it transports Ruby's mind to a memory. The members in London sent the demo to Noguchi in Maine to lay verses over it. She only had it for an hour.

"I think it was Emily or Harry that said, 'Orono sent back the song. Do you guys want to listen to it?'" Ruby said. "We're all like, 'Hell yeah.' I have this really distinct memory of sitting down and playing it on our tiny little speakers we have in our kitchen and hearing her and saying like, 'This is really cool. We made this.'"

Many good memories were born in that kitchen, one of their only collective spaces, Ruby said. Noguchi's vocals were the cherry on top of an already cool track.

"I just remember thinking, 'This is really cool, and I don't care if anyone else doesn't like it because I freaking love it.'"

Listeners felt the same.

Because it takes two hands to count the number of band members, people can't help but research the science behind their success.

"I don't think about it until someone asks me because of the way we make music," Ruby said. "Lots of bands do a jam session where they're all physically in a room together trying to work out what they're going to do. We've

always worked quite solitarily in our rooms, doing stuff on our own then sending it to another person."

The band has basically lived on tour since the song dropped, doing a Southeast Asia tour earlier this year and two U.S. tours and a Europe tour last year. The eight members might share a home, but they haven't spent a "proper amount of time" in it since … well, ever.

"We kinda take our home on the road," Ruby said. "It becomes like a mobile home."

Superorganism brings lights, visuals and a bit of choreography to its shows. Noguchi likes to hand out snacks, too, Ruby said with a laugh.

"All of our ideas are collective ideas, even if it's one person in the group who brings them to life." RUBY "I never promise that you'll get a snack from her, because that's not every time, but food definitely becomes part of the show sometimes," Ruby said. "We like to have fun on stage, and hopefully that comes across to the audience as well. We're really looking forward to Hangout Fest. I don't think any of us have been to Alabama before."

SUPERORGANISM 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Friday Pandora Surf Stage

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Dreamer Boy / Original Photo by Asam Alonzo

Dream On, Dreamer Boy

By Sydney Robinson

To give you a Pensacola reference point for the music of Nashville-based Dreamer Boy, let's just say it's like driving down Cervantes Street with your windows down during golden hour on one of those days when the sky looks like pure cotton.

It's dreamy.

Zach Taylor's aptly-titled musical project Dreamer Boy is borne of pure "remember when" vibes. His premiere album, "Love, Nostalgia," features themes of melancholy and reflection, centered around a particular emotion many can relate to—the conclusion of young love in the summertime.

If you've never been to Hangout Fest before, you might be surprised to learn that even though it's a beach festival, most of your typical beach essentials aren't allowed—like umbrellas and coolers. But trust us when you say, after one day of hopping from stage to stage and waiting in line for Spicy Pie, you'll be glad you're not lugging around a chair.

Our advice is bring as little as possible, but make sure that "little" includes sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. And if you run into any questions while packing, here's the official list of what's okay and what you should leave at home.

YUP:

•Liquid sunscreen—in nonaerosol containers of 3oz or less •Bug spray—again, in non-aerosol containers of 3oz or less •Clear backpacks, bags and purses (no larger than 12" x 6" x 12") •Fanny Packs •Small clutch bags—approximately the size of a hand with or without a handle or strap (no larger than 4.5" x 6.5") 020 2

Ask Taylor about his influences and you'll get a thoughtful answer.

"The Beatles, Beach Boys, Frank Ocean, Tame Impala … I think that's a pretty good mix. I love the classic and simplistic nature of these amazing songs that came out of the Beach Boys and Beatles era and the way that those songs were able to put this complex world into such simple and beautiful words. I love Frank Ocean for the reason that is kind of opposite of that— he puts a microscope on a feeling and using imagery and metaphor to really make you feel it."

That mix of simplicity of narrative and complexity of emotion, Taylor says, is what he aspires to create in his own music.

"I like to think my music is a combination of those two things," Taylor explained. "Sometimes I'm wanting to be more simple; sometimes I'm wanting to be more abstract."

To those who have never heard his music, Taylor says there is something for everyone.

"The music that we have out right now, it's dynamic," Taylor explained. "On our 10-song album, there's kind of a song for every music fan. It's music that draws from a lot of different places and can put you in the feeling of whatever the song is trying to portray."

Taylor left his hometown of Spokane, Wash., shortly after high school and attended college in Nashville, Tenn., where he surrounded himself with a great crowd of musician types.

"In hindsight, it was 100% the right decision because I've met everybody that I've ever wanted to work with," Taylor said.

Though Taylor alone is Dreamer Boy, he says the project is more like a band thanks to the contributions of his talented friends and roommates living together in the aptly-named "Dream House."

"We all live together—my manager [Cody] Clark, my creative, photographer, graphic designer Adam [Alonzo] and then the person who I wrote and produced all the songs with and we make all the music stuff together, Bobby [Knepper]," said Taylor. "We all live in the same house and have become a family."

Taylor understands how lucky he is to be surrounded by passionate friends who have contributed so meaningfully to his career.

"There's not too many other artists who are fortunate enough to have a team around them this early. I am really excited and thankful.

Nothing that we have been able to be a part of so far would have happened without them, " he said.

Since the release of his first album in

Pack It In

•One-gallon clear, plastic zip-top bags •Blankets and beach towels •Sunglasses and hats •Baby strollers (if you have small children) •One (1) empty non-glass water container up to 2 liters in size •Empty CamelBak-style bladder carriers (they must have no more than one pocket in addition to the compartment that holds the water bladder) •If you need medicine, prescription and OTC medications are allowed but subject to specific guidelines

NOPE:

•Tents, umbrellas or temporary structures of any kind •Weapons, knives or firearms of any kind, including any item that can be used as a weapon •Narcotics, including marijuana, drug paraphernalia and any other illegal substances •No backpacks, purses or bags allowed except bags made of clear plastic, clear vinyl or clear PVC (not exceeding 12" x 6" x 12") •Alcoholic beverages of any kind •Drones or any other remote flying device •Vitamins

•Kites •Glowsticks •Focused light devices—including laser pointers •Refillable vapor or electronic cigarettes •Unsealed cigarette packages, tampons, packs of gum and Chapstick/lip gloss •Marker pens and spray paint •Air horns and/or megaphones •Items intended for sale/promotion (including flyers, stickers and posters) •Water guns, water balloons and/or any other kind of water projectile •Glass in any form, including glass bottles •Outside food or beverages •Skateboards, rollerblades, hoverboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons and/or motorized carts or scooters •Fidget spinners •Bicycles inside festival grounds (bike racks will be available near the entrance) •Large chains or spiked jewelry •Fireworks, sparklers, firecrackers and/or incendiary or explosive devices of any kind •Chinese Lanterns •Chairs of any kind (including inflatable loungers)

November of 2018, Dreamer Boy has been amazed at the reception.

"Being able to play shows on tour and seeing people singing and dancing or getting messages from people just telling me how the album spoke to them or what they were going through while they were listening to it all the time [is amazing]."

Any music fan has a special song or even an entire discography that conveys a feeling, a moment in time that changed them forever.

But what does it feel like to be on the other side of that experience, to create music and watch it become someone else's special song?

"I'm just excited because I know the albums that are special to me, and I'm excited to be that for people during periods of sadness or whatever they're going through," Taylor concluded.

Dreamer Boy will perform on Sunday, the final day of Hangout Fest, but he's making his way to the beach earlier for sure.

"We're gonna go down Friday night," Taylor explained. "Me and my team's favorite band is playing on this bill, The 1975, so we're gonna get to see them live and hopefully be inspired. [There are] so many other great acts like King Princess, Travis Scott and Vampire Weekend."

Still relatively new to performing and being "known," Taylor and the Dream House crew plan to give as much as they get at Hangout Fest.

"This is also me and my team's first festival experience in terms of playing at this level, so we are all just kind of happy to be there," Taylor said.

DREAMER BOY

12:30-1:15 p.m.

Sunday BMI Mermaid Stage

•Coolers of any kind (including hard sided and soft sided coolers) •Pets (service animals with current rabies vaccination excepted) •Video equipment of any kind (including personal camcorders and GoPro cameras) •Professional photo equipment (SLR/DSLR cameras, detachable/removable lens cameras) •Audio recording equipment of any kind •Portable audio equipment of any kind, including portable "boom box" stereo systems •Professional radios or walkietalkies •Flags and/or flagpoles •Selfie sticks •Hammocks •Any item that can be used as a means to disturb the peace, endanger the safety of the crowd and/or inflict damage to people and goods If you have additional questions while packing, make sure to check out hangoutmusicfest. com/festival-info. Also, remember the list of allowed/prohibited items is subject to change.

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2019 Schedule THURSDAY KICKOFF PARTY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

HANGOUT STAGE

HANGOUT STAGE

SUNDAY HANGOUT STAGE

Doors at 6 p.m.

Flora Cash 1:30-2:30 p.m.

lovelytheband 1:45-2:30 p.m.

Elley Duhé 12-12:45p.m.

Big Gigantic

Bishop Briggs 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Sofi Tukker 3:25-4:15 p.m.

Quinn XCII 1:45-2:30 p.m.

The 1975 6:15-7:30 p.m.

Sir Sly 5-5:45 p.m.

Jungle 3:15-4 p.m.

Travis Scott 9:45-11 p.m.

WALK THE MOON 6:30-7:30 p.m.

GRiZ 5-6 p.m.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie CamelPhat SNBRN

Khalid 9:45-11 p.m.

PANDORA SURF STAGE Pale Waves 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Superorganism 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Judah & the Lion 4:45-6 p.m.

Vampire Weekend 7:45-9 p.m.

BOOM BOOM TENT

PANDORA SURF STAGE Castlecomer 1-1:45 p.m.

grandson 1-1:45 p.m.

A R I Z O N A 4:15-5 p.m.

Jimmy Eat World 5:45-6:30 p.m.

King Princess 4-5 p.m.

Kygo 7:45-9 p.m.

Bebe Rexha 6-6:45 p.m.

Cardi B 8-9 p.m.

BOOM BOOM TENT

Loud Luxury 3-4 p.m.

Justin Caruso 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Mura Masa 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Ravyn Lenae 1:15-2 p.m.

Hippie Sabotage 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Bazzi 3-4 p.m.

Diplo 9:15-10:30 p.m.

Jonas Blue 5:15-6:15 p.m.

BMI MERMAID STAGE

Abhi The Nomad 2-2:45 p.m.

SHAED 4:15-5 p.m.

Chika 6:45-7:20 p.m.

The Interrupters 8:30-9:15 p.m.

ALABAMA NEWSCENTER SUNSET STAGE Yoga 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Jesse Royal 12:45-1:30 p.m.

New Kingston 2:45-3:30 p.m.

RDGLDGRN 5-5:45 p.m.

Hirie 7:30-8 p.m.

MALIBU BEACH HOUSE

Moon Boots 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Hugel 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Justin Jay 3:30-4:45 p.m.

Dr. Fresch 6:15-7:15 p.m.

MONSTER BEACH CLUB NOTE: A separate ticket is required for the Thursday Kickoff Party.

Schedule is up to date as of Tuesday, May 14 and is subject to change by Hangout Fest. For the most current schedule, go to hangoutmusicfest.com

The Him 12:30-1:30 p.m.

CRAY 2:30-3:30 p.m.

SNBRN 4:45-6 p.m.

Black Caviar 7:15-7:45 p.m.

PANDORA SURF STAGE Two Feet 2:30-3:15 p.m.

Bryce Vine 1:15-2 p.m.

Powers Pleasant 12:30-1:15p.m.

Hozier 6:45-7:45 p.m.

The Lumineers 9:35-11 p.m.

Taylor Bennett 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Medasin 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

May 16, 2019

MAY 17-19

MadeinTYO 7:15-8:15 p.m.

Alison Wonderland 9:30-10:45 p.m.

BMI MERMAID STAGE Easy Life 12:30-1:15p.m. morgxn 2-2:45 p.m.

Jade Bird 4-4:45 p.m. slenderbodies 6:15-7:15 p.m.

Shame 8:30-9:30 p.m.

ALABAMA NEWSCENTER SUNSET STAGE

BOOM BOOM TENT

Graves 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Two Friends 1:15-2 p.m.

Elohim 3:30-4:15 p.m.

Lauren Daigle 5:15-6:15 p.m.

Gorgon City 7:15-8:15 p.m.

Ella Mai 9-9:45 p.m.

BMI MERMAID STAGE Dreamer Boy 12:30-1:15p.m.

Hembree 2:15-3 p.m.

Spencer Ludwig 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Buddy 6:15-7:15 p.m.

ALABAMA NEWSCENTER SUNSET STAGE Yoga 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Yoga 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Red Clay Strays 12:45-1:15 p.m.

RDGLDGRN 12:45-1:30 p.m.

Jesse Royal 3-3:30 p.m.

Hirie 3-3:30 p.m.

Hirie 4:15-5 p.m.

New Kingston 4:15-5 p.m.

New Kingston 6-6:45 p.m.

Jesse Royal 5:45-6:30 p.m.

MALIBU BEACH HOUSE Dr. Fresch 1:45-2:30 p.m.

Moon Boots 3:30-4:15 p.m.

Hugel 5-5:45 p.m.

Justin Jay 6:45-7:30 p.m.

MONSTER BEACH CLUB Rachel Torro 12:45-1:30 p.m.

The Him 2:45-3:30 p.m.

Black Caviar 4:15-5 p.m.

CRAY 5:45-6:30 p.m.

MALIBU BEACH HOUSE Purdy 12-12:45 p.m.

Justin Jay 1:45-2:30 p.m.

Hugel 3:30-4:15 p.m.

Dr. Fresch 5-5:45 p.m.

Hugel 3:30-4:15 p.m.

Moon Boots 6:45-7:30 p.m.

MONSTER BEACH CLUB Rachel Torro 12:45-1:30 p.m.

CRAY 2:45-3:30 p.m.

Black Caviar 4:15-5 p.m.

The Him 5:45-6:30 p.m.

21

The Red Clay Strays / Courtesy Photo

Honky Tonkin' on the Beach

By Frances Dean

The Red Clay Strays have a lot on their plate—but they're hungry for more.

The Mobile-based five-piece has spent the last two years making a name for themselves playing bars across the South, and they're eager to kick it up a notch with their performance at Hangout Fest this weekend.

The band blends nostalgic sounds of Southern rock with modern guitar riffs and deep, soulful, twangy vocals. Fans and reviewers fondly cite The Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bob Seger as influences they hear throughout the Red Clay Stray's music.

"I call it rock and roll with Southern influence or country with rock and roll influence," said rhythm guitarist Drew Nix. "A lot of people are calling it 'alt-country' these days.

We put music out and let the people decide."

The Alabama group consists of Brandon Coleman on lead vocals, rhythm guitar and piano, Zach Rishel on lead guitar, John W. Hall on drums, Andrew Bishop on bass and Drew Nix as rhythm guitar, harmonica and backup vocals.

Bishop, Hall and Nix currently live together in a house in Mobile.

"We're all literally like brothers," Nix said. "I've laughed some of my hardest with these guys, and there's times where we about killed each other. But at the end of the day, we love each other like family. But I hate even saying 'like' family because it feels like a real one."

When they aren't at home or writing material for their first album, you can find the Red Clay Strays playing at one of the

area's many neighborhood watering holes like Callahan's, Soul Kitchen or the Flora-Bama—a spot that yielded their biggest gig yet.

"We're a regular band at the FloraBama, and we met a couple of young ladies who worked closely with the Hangout crew who got us booked to play at The Hangout Oyster Cookoff," Nix said. "The owner of The Hangout, Shaul Zislin, came up to us after our set and offered us the slot [at Hangout Fest].

We're extremely excited about it and are going to put on the best show we have in us."

Nix said Hangout Fest attendees can expect a ton of energy and excitement from their upcoming performance.

"It's all natural—we can't help how we feel the music, and we just pretty much lay it all out there when we play," he said.

The band signed a record deal with

Skate Mountain Records in 2017, and they've been diligently writing music over the last year or so in preparation for their first full-length album.

"We feel like our patience and hard work is coming to fruition," Nix said.

Nix noted that he and the rest of the band members quit their day jobs, so their respective "8 to 5" workday hours are filled with writing and working out new possible songs.

"We've recorded some new music at Dauphin Street Sound in Mobile recently and have done some overdubs in Nashville with a master guitarist, a really solid producer/engineer and wonderful human being named Jeff King that we're waiting on to be mixed and mastered," Nix said.

Nix compared the band to what he imagines running a small business would be like and noted that when there's growth involved, there's usually growing pains.

"It's all about trying to keep up with where you're at in the moment and continuously getting better," Nix noted.

After the Red Clay Strays play Hangout Fest, they'll leave for a quick run of shows in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. Their first record is also slated to be released later this summer, and Nix said he imagines the record will be followed by another cycle of writing, recording and touring.

"I hate speaking for everybody [in the band], but the fact that we've been able to make a living playing music is what we're most proud of," Nix said. "We know where we stand in the world and in the grand scheme of music, but we feel like we have a lot to say and we can't wait for everybody to be able to hear it.

The fact that I even found these people and an outlet to keep my sanity has made me the happiest I've ever been in my life."

THE RED CLAY STRAYS

12:45-1:15 p.m.

Sunday Alabama Newscenter Sunset Stage

Let's Hang Out

Why I'm braving millennials, sand in my crack and overpriced beer to see The Lumineers

By Edwin Banacia Jim Gaffigan has a line in one of his family-friendly comedies about waiting for hours with his kids at Disneyworld for the Dumbo ride. He gets to the front of the line and there's just a mirror. He comes to realize the point of the ride— "You're the Dumbo, Dumbo."

That's how I feel about Hangout Fest.

Look, I'm not a hater. I love music.

In fact, I've worked in the music industry my entire life (and that's a long life, trust me). There's just something about music festivals under the hot sun with lots of traffic that makes me say, "Coachella on the beach? How about Couchella in the AC instead?"

But here's why I'm going this year and why 222 2

you should as well. It's pretty simple actually, just two words—The Lumineers.

Who doesn't love a band who has the courage to tell their own fans to put their "fu$%ing phones down and live in the moment?" But their real brilliance is in their feel-good simplicity, which allows room to downright love their lyrics, like this gem— "And I made her laugh, I made a pass / I showed her my half-dollar ring / She said, 'That's pretty cool but classy girls don't kiss in bars, you fool'"—from "Classy Girls."

And who can forget about the hits? The Lumineers have had some monsters. "Ho Hey," "Stubborn Love" and the haunting "Ophelia." There are literally no skips on any of their albums.

Even beyond my beloved Lum Lums (hat tip Phoebe Robinson for that adorable nickname), Hangout Fest really does bring it. I mean, where else can you wear that fake mustache and monocle? Or fanny pack and look cool? Do you have friends who aren't going?

Well then, you have to make sure to get a ton of Instagram content so you can remind them that you're cooler than them. That alone will be worth the price of admission.

So yeah, music festivals are a lot, especially when you're over 30. You'll plan to make a detailed schedule to see all your favorite artists, but you'll only see a fraction of them because you end up wasting most of your time waiting in line for a drink. There will be a crazy after-

party, but you'll fall asleep on the shuttle, dehydrated and sunburnt. But that's half the fun. It's called living. And if you're not living, baby, you're dying. So get your ass to Hangout Fest and live, OK? And make sure you look for me—I'll be the guy who's living his best life Sunday night with The Lumineers.

THE LUMINEERS 9:35-11 p.m.

Sunday Hangout Stage

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