They say the summer starts on Memorial Day Weekend, but don’t tell that to ‘em down South, where it’s always warm, nowhere more so than on shores of the Gulf of Mexico. In 2010 May in Gulf Shores, Alabama got even hotter with the inaugural Hangout Music Festival, which has quickly grown into a premiere North American music festival. So get a head start on summer ’14 and head to the beach for Hangout, Friday-Sunday, May 16th to 18th:
FRIDAY, MAY 16th
Hangout Stage
The Black Keys, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The blues-rock from guitar/drums duo of Dan Auerbach & Patrick Carney (QRO photos) sounds like it comes from the deepest (and blackest…) part of the South, but these two white men (QRO photos at a festival) hail from Akron, Ohio. However, The Black Keys (QRO photos outdoors) are as gritty as anyone, whether on records like 2008’s Attack & Release (QRO review), 2010’s Brothers (QRO review), 2011’s El Camino (QRO review), or live (QRO photos at a festival), as depicted on the Live at Crystal Ballroom DVD (QRO review). And the duo (QRO photos at a festival) comes back to Hangout (QRO photos at a festival) just after the release of their latest, Turn Blue.
Gary Clark Jr., 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM
Austin’s Gary Clark Jr. (QRO photos at a festival in Austin) is the latest artist to be said to be ‘bringing blues back’ – when did it ever leave? And if it did, it’s surely come back many times since then (just look at Jack White…) – but Clark (QRO live review) is certainly keeping it going, like on Austin City Limits (QRO live review on ACL) and Hangout 2012.
Dawes, 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
An up-and-coming Americana indie outfit (QRO photos) that’s come up, Dawes (QRO photos at a festival) hail from Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon (QRO photos outdoors), out last year with third release Stories Don’t End – and neither do they (QRO photos), as they come to Hangout (QRO photos at a festival).
Balkan Beat Box, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Originally mixing Brooklyn punk with Israeli klezmer, Balkan Beat Box (QRO photos at a festival) have forged a style all their own, that even brings in hip-hop and dancehall.
Ozomatli, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Ozomatli (QRO photos) bring the Latin flavor and more from Los Angeles as they mix rock, hip-hop, salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, & more (QRO photos with New York Pops) – it’s been described by the group as taking in everything one hears on a trip down all of famed Sunset Boulevard, on 2010’s Fire Away (QRO review), 2012’s kid’s album Ozomatli Presents Ozokidz, and this year’s (adult) Place In the Sun.
Chevrolet Stage
Queens of the Stone Age, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
After the dissolution of the hard rock Kyuss, singer/guitarist Josh Homme formed what today might be the biggest ‘stoner rock’ band in the world, The Queens of the Stone Age. This is the kind of band that can put Foo Fighters (QRO album review) frontman Dave Grohl back on skins, get contributions from Screaming Trees’ Mark Lanegan (QRO live review) & Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top (QRO live review), and more. Maybe no record has matched Songs For the Deaf, but last year’s …Like Clockwork (QRO review) has come the closest.
Wiz Khalifa, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
The Pittsburgh singer/rapper upset about as many fans as he gained with his move from stoner rap into bona-fide pop music, but he is what he is. Wiz (QRO photos outdoors) makes music that’s fun to listen to, including his team-up with Snoop Dogg, Mac & Devin Go To High School (QRO review), even if it’s rarely thought provoking or based in anything other than weed or girls. One thing’s for certain, he will never run out of marijuana-based puns.
Ingrid Michaelson, 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Even if you don’t know Ingrid Michaelson (QRO photos), if you’ve watched American TV, you’ve heard her, as song of hers have been featured in a host of TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, as well as in advertising campaigns like that for Old Navy. But the licensing favorite (QRO photos at a festival) makes music of her own, most recently with last month’s Lights Out, 2012’s Human Again, and 2009’s Everybody (QRO review).
Allen Stone, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Allen Stone (QRO photos at a festival) began his singing in a church right in Seattle, and his soulful sound has kept that connection.
Boom Boom Tent
STS9, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The acclaimed instrumental act combines numerous influences, including funk, jazz, psychedelic, and hip-hop. But they’re best known for their live concerts (QRO photos), which stretch to over two hours, and feature improvisational collaborative work not known in the jam-band community. Their festival performances, however, go even bigger (QRO photos at a festival), like at Hangout 2010.
Childish Gambino, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM
The world is littered with rappers trying their hand at acting, and actors trying their hand at rapping (to say nothing of sports stars trying both) – with usually poor results. Standing out from that crowd is Childish Gambino (QRO photos), a.k.a. Donald Glover of NBC’s great Community. Joel McHale ain’t the only one with a second job – but will Danny Pudi (QRO photo) or Alison Brie (QRO live review) be there?
Also:
Claude VonStroke, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
RAC, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
heRobust, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Palladia Stage
Conor Oberst, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Welcome back, Conor Oberst (QRO photos at a festival). As Bright Eyes (QRO photos), Conor Oberst won legions of hearts (including Summer’s on The O.C. – QRO Music of The O.C.), but after 2007’s Cassadega (QRO review), he dropped the name and strayed into unfortunate country terrain (QRO live review). In 2011, not only did the Bright Eyes name come back (QRO live review outdoors), but also the Bright Eyes (QRO photos at a festival) sound on The People’s Key (QRO review). Last year he revived his early agit-punk band, Desaparecidos (QRO live review), but he’s shifted back to being Mr. Oberst once again for this year’s upcoming Upside Down Mountain, so who knows what to expect…
The 1975, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Manchester’s The 1975 (QRO photos at a festival) turned heads with their Sex EP in 2012, even though it wasn’t very good (QRO review), and have kept that up with last year’s self-titled debut full-length.
Valerie June, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
From the hills of Tennessee, Valerie June was first exposed to music in the church, and expanded her sound into roots-folk and blues while in Memphis, where she was featured on MTV’s $5 Cover, which explored struggling artists in Memphis. That led to the self-releasing artist finally getting a record deal for last year’s Pushin’ Against the Stone, which featured several songs co-written with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys (see above).
Black Lips, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
A band better known for their live show than their records, that’s not just because of the relatively unimpressive recorded material like 2010’s 200 Million Thousand (QRO review) or 2011’s Arabia Mountain (QRO review), but also due to their crazy mishmash of genres and styles on stage (QRO live review). Atlanta’s The Black Lips’ wild live show includes everything from nudity to fireworks – and live animals (QRO photos at a festival). Gulf Shores should hopefully let the boys let ‘er rip (QRO photos outdoors), but be rest assured their rabidly loyal fan base will still be crying out for more (QRO photos outdoors at a festival), as they come to Hangout (QRO photos at a Southern festival) behind their new (and better) Underneath the Rainbow (QRO review).
Red Bull Sound Select Stage
Gemini Club, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Bad Suns, 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
John and Jacob, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Los Colognes, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
BMI Stage
Wild Cub, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Burned out on life in the hustle & bustle of Brooklyn, Keegan DeWitt turned down a promotion and moved to Nashville, where he teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Bullock, and put out debut full-length Youth in January. They come to Hangout (QRO photos at a festival) for a second year in a row.
Also:
Reach for the Beach Winner, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Bronze Radio Return, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Empires, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
SATURDAY, MAY 17th
Hangout Stage
The Killers, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The Killers (QRO photos) broke out of their Las Vegas home in 2004 with debut Hot Fuss and great singles “Somebody Told Me” and “Mr. Brightside” – and have failed to match that since. 2006’s attempt at greatness Sam’s Town didn’t make it, and after 2008’s middling Day & Age (QRO review) singer Brandon Flowers went solo for his own middling work. But the group has since come back (QRO photos) with Battle Born (QRO review) – and they still play Hot Fuss live (QRO live review).
Modest Mouse, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Washington State’s Modest Mouse (QRO photos) broke through to mainstream success in 2004 with Good News For People Who Like Bad News, and followed that up by adding Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr for 2007’s We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (QRO review) – unfortunately, Marr has since left to join the even younger Cribs (QRO live review) and then solo (QRO live review). But they’re still big enough to even headline (QRO photos headlining a festival), are great outdoors (QRO photos outdoors), and word is they’re finally working on a new album (QRO photos at a recent festival).
Amos Lee, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Philly’s Amos Lee (QRO photos) goes a jazz-fusion route, with soul, folk and blues thrown into the mix. He’s opened for legendary singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, Paul Simon, and Elvis Costello, and is returning to Hangout after performing at the festival in 2011.
NEEDTOBREATHE, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
South Carolina’s NEEDTOBREATHE (QRO photos) began on the Christian music charts but have since moved to rock with 2011’a The Reckoning (QRO review) and this year’s Rivers In the Wasteland – as well as opening for Taylor Swift (QRO photos) along the way (QRO photos).
Also:
RDGLDGRN, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Chevrolet Stage
The Flaming Lips, 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM
There’s a good reason The Flaming Lips (QRO photos at a festival) have been so popular for so long on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival), as there is no live show out there like a Flaming Lips live show (QRO live review). Confetti cannons, costumes, video screens, balloons from the sky, puppets, singer/guitarist Wayne Coyne (QRO interview) surfing the crowd in a giant plastic bubble – The Lips have it all (QRO photos), and expect them to take it even higher (QRO photos at a festival) at their third Hangout in four years.
Oh, and they’ve got some great music, too, from early nineties hit “She Don’t Use Jelly” to seminal The Soft Bulletin (QRO photos from top-to-bottom performance, at a festival), as well as 2006’s Grammy Award-winning At War With the Mystics (even put out a movie, Christmas On Mars – QRO review), and 2009’s Embryonic (QRO review) to 2012’s The Terror (QRO review). Plus they (QRO spotlight on) played The Colbert Report’s ‘Pepsi Presents StePhest ColbChella ‘012 Rocktaugustfest’ (QRO photos)!
Matt & Kim, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Serious, long-time ‘Friends of the Q’ (QRO spotlight on), it’s been great watching Matt & Kim (QRO photos at a festival) blow up so seriously – without losing their infectious cheer (QRO live review). Singer/keyboardist Matt Johnson (QRO interview) and drummer Kim Schifino (QRO interview) bring a self-described ‘onstage pizza party’ with their sugar-filled hyper-pop/rock on stage (QRO live review). Known for spreading their giant, ever-present grins (QRO photos) to every crowd they play for (QRO live review), large, outdoor stages (QRO live review outdoors) don’t faze them, and neither do massive festivals (QRO photos at a festival), nor even foreign crowds (QRO live review overseas) or playing on holidays like New Year’s Eve (QRO live review on New Year’s Eve) or Halloween (QRO live review on Halloween). They also stepped up their musical game on 2009’s Grand (QRO review), with Sidewalks (QRO review) the following year, and most recently with 2012’s Lightning (QRO review). So expect them to rock the crowd (QRO photos), from old tracks like “Silver Tiles” (QRO video) and “Yea Yeah” (QRO video) to Grand ones like “Good Old-Fashioned Nightmare” (QRO video) and “Daylight” (QRO video) to Sidewalks’ “Good For Great” (QRO video), Lightning‘s “Let’s Go” (QRO video) and even a cover of Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend” (QRO video) – as the kids go nuts (QRO photos at a festival), and so do Matt & Kim (QRO live review). And those up front better be ready for when Matt (QRO interview) sends Kim out to do her ‘booty shakin’ crowd surf’ (QRO photos at a festival)…
Tegan & Sara, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Identical twin sisters Tegan and Sara (QRO interview) Quinn emerged out of Calgary at a young age over a decade ago (QRO spotlight on), and are coming to Hangout (QRO photos at a festival) behind their seventh record, Heartthrob (QRO review) after a hiatus following the end of their touring behind 2009’s Sainthood (QRO review). The duo manages to combine both the mature songstress(es) style and today’s indie-rock (QRO live review) – along with some great between song banter (QRO live review). They arrive on the Gulf Shores after touring the world last year (QRO photos at a festival on the other side of the world) – from French-speaking Montreal (QRO photos) to Major League Baseball’s ‘Fan Cave’ (QRO photos).
Little Green Cars, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Dublin’s Little Green Cars (QRO photos at a festival) are already making a name for themselves (QRO photos at a festival), behind such named singles as “Harper Lee” and “John Wayne”.
Boom Boom Tent
Pretty Lights, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Colorado-based producer Derek Vincent Smith (QRO photos at a festival) puts some energy behind his electronic work as Pretty Lights (QRO photos at a festival), most recently with last year’s A Color Map of the Sun, where he used only self-created samples. He comes to Hangout for a second time.
The Bloody Beetroots, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Italy’s dance-punk project The Bloody Beetroots come to Hangout for a live set in the Boom Boom Tent.
Tommy Trash, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Tommy Trash (QRO photos at a festival) is one of Australia’s most promising EDM artists.
Also:
Robert DeLong, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – QRO photos at a festival
Daedelus, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Palladia Stage
Fitz & The Tantrums, 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM
While acts like Brooklyn’s Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (QRO live review) revive the soul sound, Los Angeles’ Fitz & The Tantrums (QRO photos) are reinventing it with an indie-pop twist (QRO photos at a festival) – and their own amazing live show (QRO live review).
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM
From just down the Gulf Coast in New Orleans, Trombone Shorty (QRO photos) doesn’t just toot his horn but also integrates more modern funk and rap into his jazz. He and his band, Orleans Avenue, come to Hangout for a second time.
ALO, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
The Animal Liberation Orchestra – or ‘ALO’ (QRO photos at a festival) – is a well-regarded festival circuit regular.
Also:
Diarrhea Planet, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – QRO mp3 review
Red Bull Sound Select Stage
Chance the Rapper, 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM
Two mixtapes, 2012’s 10 Day and last year’s Acid Rap, have launched Chicago’s Chance the Rapper (QRO photos at Southern festival) into the big time (his Chicago-sponsored South-by-Southwest showcase was shut down due to massive overcrowding – QRO recap).
Moon Taxi, 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM
Moon Taxi (QRO photos) cross the dashed lines between indie, jam, progressive, and rock. They come to Hangout for a second year in a row, this time as ‘People of the Sun’.
Also:
The Electric Sons, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
The Black Cadillacs, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
BMI Stage
Wild Belle, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Brother-sister outfit Wild Belle (QRO spotlight on) grew up in Chicago but moved out to – where else? – Brooklyn (QRO photos in NYC). Big brother Elliot Bergmann formed NOMO, but has since teamed up with little sis Natalie (QRO photos). They (QRO interview) made serious waves with hit indie-reggae single “Keep You” (QRO video), getting signed to Columbia for their debut last year, Isles (QRO review) and hitting the festival circuit for a second summer in a row (QRO photos at a 2013 festival).
The Lonely Biscuits, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
From Belmont University in Nashville, The Lonely Biscuits have an unusual blend of soul, funk, hip-hop and pop.
Also:
Shakey Graves, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Desert Noises, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
SUNDAY, MAY 18th
Hangout Stage
OutKast, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
You know OutKast. Oh yes, you know OutKast. André ‘André 3000’ Benjamin and Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton basically brought the Hotlanta sound to break up the East Coast vs. West Coast hip-hop duopoly. Speakerboxx/The Love Below and especially ubiquitous single “Hey Ya!” were all over the airwaves (and introduced a post-film, pre-Instagram generation to the Polaroid picture). After soundtracking Idlewild in 2006, the duo went on an indefinite hiatus (QRO photos of Big Boi solo at a festival), only to make the biggest reunion of 2014. They’re playing seemingly every festival out there, including Hangout (QRO photos at a festival).
The Avett Brothers, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM
One of the bigger – and better – hits of today’s new Americana (QRO photos at a festival), The Avett Brothers (QRO photos) won a wide audience with 2009’s fine country of I and Love and You (QRO review), including playing on The Grammys with Bob Dylan, and now come to Hangout (QRO photos at a festival), with 2012’s follow-up The Carpenter (QRO review). Their country can even fit on the shore (QRO photos at a festival) – this is their second time at Hangout.
Capital Cities, 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Enjoy the exciting and excitable electro-pop of Capital Cities (QRO photos at a festival).
SOJA, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
SOJA mix reggae with more modern sounds on such records as Soldiers of the Jah Army, Peace In a Time of War, and its remix version, Dub In a Time of War. They play Hangout for a second time.
Also:
Josh Farrow, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Chevrolet Stage
Jack Johnson, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Of course Jack Johnson (QRO photos) is headlining Hangout – the man is practically the definition of just ‘hanging out’. His ultra-relaxed surf-jam has won the Hawaii native fans around the world, and made him a festival regular, usually headlining at least a few every year. He (QRO photos) was even impersonated by Andy Samberg on Saturday Night Live as host of ‘The Mellow Show’ with Jason Mraz (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) & Dave Matthews (Bill Hader)…
Portugal. The Man, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
This West Coast draws from far up its shore with Alaska’s Portugal. The Man (QRO photos at a festival). The rambling grunge outfit garnered new fans with 2007 sophomore release Church Mouth (QRO review), and its unhinged alt-rock (QRO live review), though slipped somewhat since then, even while finally playing Europe (QRO photos at a European festival) and becoming a festival favorite (QRO photos at a festival), like at Hangout ‘11. Their major label debut In the Mountain In the Cloud (QRO review) was more psych-lite, but they still bring it live (QRO live review), and even went Down Under (QRO photos at a festival) after last year’s release of follow-up Evil Friends (QRO review), hitting both the festival circuit (QRO photos at a 2013 festival) and live gigs (QRO 2013 live review).
B∆stille, 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Dan Smith expanded his solo project into a full band, B∆stille, who have become the second British synth ∆ct to find overnight success in recent years (after alt-J, a.k.a. ∆ – QRO live review).
Also:
Blackberry Smoke, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Boom Boom Tent
Zedd, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM
German electro-house producer Zedd (real name: Anton Zaslavski) has been branching out into complextro & dubstep, as he’s become a festival regular (QRO photos at a festival).
Boys Noize, 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Germany, the home of electro-house, has another son in Alexander Ridha, a.k.a. Boys Noize (QRO photos).
MIMOSA, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
MIMOSA can’t be categorized or pigeonholed.
Also:
Caked Up, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Palladia Stage
Andrew W.K., 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
No artist in this millennium has done as many different things, worked with as many different people, while staying true to who he is, than Andrew W.K. (QRO photos). He started as a party-rock impresario with 2001’s I Get Wet and “Party Hard”, but has since built a wide list of accomplishments, from founding his own NYC venue, Santos Party House (QRO venue review), to doing self-help & motivational speaking, his own MTV series (and guest-appearing on Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force), playing with a classical string quartet (QRO photos), hosting the World Snowboarding Championship in Oslo in 2012 (QRO kick-off review), and even bringing I Get Wet back for its tenth anniversary (QRO live review of I Get Wet show). The hard-partying, hard-working man comes to Hangout (QRO photos at a festival) after last year’s ‘The Party Messiah Tour’ (QRO live review of tour start, earlier in the week).
Los Lobos, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Back when Hispanic culture was virtually unknown in mainstream America, Los Lobos introduced gringos to Chicano rock, which draws from all sides of all borders, from traditional boleros to gospel to rock ‘n’ roll. They’ve evolved from touring in a Dodge van to playing the White House, yet have stayed true to their roots.
Also:
Reignwolf, 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM – QRO photos at a festival
Tom Odell, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Red Bull Sound Select Stage
Mystery Skulls, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Catch the indie-pop electronics of Mystery Skulls, who can insert life into any place they play.
The Tontons, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Check out the pure energy of The Tontons (QRO live review), who play Hangout for the second year in a row.
Also:
LE1F, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM – QRO live review
Wrestlers (Bagheera), 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
BMI Stage
St. Paul & The Broken Bones, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM
From just north in Birmingham, St. Paul & The Broken Bones bring the true southern soul.
Also:
The Wans, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ethan Tucker, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Dugas, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
For festival website, go here: http://hangoutmusicfest.com/