If you know me, you know I very much love music, the beach and being near bodies of water. It’s even better when the water is actually warm enough to dip my feet into and have a lil’ baptism. So when I heard about this festival, saw the lineup, and saw that I could get all of this for only $250, I bought the tickets so damn fast! Read on to learn more about my experience at Hangout Music Festival.
first time seeing skrillex and omg i was on 10
So how did I hear about this festival? Ummm, good question, lol. I remember I signed up for the payment plan around the same time that I got the dreamville tickets, so I bet I heard about it through instagram ads or something. The algorithms are finally starting to figure out what I like and push the appropriate events/products my way. So to that I say, thank you algorithm/spy robot/FBI! Keep the ads comin.
louis the child was a last-minute sub for glorilla. i was upset that homegirl didn't make it was not mad at seeing ltc for the third timeee
I bought the tickets back around October 2022 and was blissfully dreaming of what the event would be like for hella months. Would Alabama be a cool place to hold such an event? Would people there be super racist and conservative to the point where my bunny ears would make me some sort of target? What about party favors? As the event got closer I did more and more research and was not happy about my findings – lots of anecdotes about people being intensely frisked to the point of police checking in people’s underwear, folks being arrested for smoking weed even though CBD/DELTA8/9 is legal there, cops spying on concert-goers on high-rise buildings and making arrests to help meet quotas. And of course, locals being unfriendly towards out-of-towners, especially people of color.
so grateful we got to spend 1 extra day in the area
Needless to say, this research made me so nervous about attending this fest that I almost decided to refund everything and stay home. Y’all, I am SO GLAD that my curiosity is strong and pushed me to discover Alabama/florida/hangout fest on my own because that weekend was EVERYTHING I WANTED AND MORE.
shout-out to savage x fenty and forever 21 for making this fit possible
We (nemo and i) left early on Thursday for our flight to Pensacola (the closest major airport near the fest location, gulf shores AL). We flew via American airlines. Why ain’t no one tell me American is so much better than southwest lol! They actually let you keep the lid of your wine bottles so I was able to take it off the plane and sip at the airport. Also the seats seemed larger and more comfortable. The whole plane seemed bigger in general. It was definitely more expensive but in the end im glad that SW had no available flights to Pensacola for the days I wanted because American was so much better.
loveee me some mayday parade ♥
We arrived in Pensacola around 2pm on Thursday and were greeted by partly-cloudy skies and warm, breezy, humid air. My favorite kind of air. It felt so nice to feel that moisture on my skin all weekend. We hop into our rental car and make the 45-min drive to our hotel in Gulf Shores. It was interesting crossing the border from florida to Alabama, just because I don’t get the opportunity to cross a state line very often. North florida/south Alabama reminded me of a mix between Waco texas (because of the small-town feel, ranch-style houses with plantation-looking yards and hella churches), Jamaica (because of the tropical greenery and warm humidity) and the Bahamas (because of the fine-white sand beaches and warm ocean).
got some free m&ms at the m&m tentt
Driving into Gulf Shores was a treat – its a cute little beach town with a lot of public beach access and various places to be near water, including the ocean and the wharf. Our hotel was right on the wharf, about 10 minutes inland from the ocean. Marriott FTW because this hotel was very nice and clean as always. I also appreciated staying away from the festival area so that we would be encouraged to explore the area a little more and also get away from the craziness of the event.
thundrcat going hard in the paint
After we got settled into our room, we hit the publix (first time there, it was cool, reminded me of safeway), got some snacks (the strawberry square Danish thing in the bakery was fire) and we hit the beach to get some night-time views (peep the pics). It was gorgeous, of course. The water was nice and warm, the sky full of stars which were easy to see considering how dark the area was. Another +1 for this town – it’s nice and small which means less light pollution. Finally, we were ready to head to bed and rest up for fest day 1.
nemo sittin' pretty at this big ass beach
FRIDAY
After breakfast (which was free, shout-out to springhill suites), we get dressed and head over to the fest around noon. Did I mention my fits yet? You know I did a bit of shopping and got some cute beach-wear for the event. Shout-out to savage x fenty for the cute sports bras. Also s/o to forever 21 and shein who also contributed to my fest outfits. We left pretty early on day 1 because the act I wanted to see first, Meet Me @ The Altar, was going on at 1:30, and I had no clue what the parking and entry situations would be like. Reading about it online gave mixed answers – some people said get the shuttle OR ELSE, while others said parking was plentiful. We ended up finding parking sports very close to the fest in no time. It took us maybe a total of 30 minutes to get from our hotel to inside the festival – entry lines were nonexistent, parking was indeed plentiful and traffic was very light. Thank goodness they had this event in a small town! It made getting around so much easier. Only downside was parking was 30-40 bucks a day, which is slightly more expensive than a shuttle pass which would’ve been $100 for both of us for the weekend. Personally, id rather have my own mode of transportation, especially after hearing about the shuttle not showing up at the end of day 1 and people being stranded until 1am. Long story short: getting around gulf shores was very easy during the festival weekend and parking was no problem. Be sure to have cash to pay the parking lot people!
thank you to nemo for getting us around safely this weekend ♥ ♥
So after all that, we’re finally inside! I used a small, clear bag to carry our stuff so I was hardly searched by security at all. I was never frisked or scanned with the sensor wand thing. I had my bag opened and checked on day 2 and 3, but I had nothing to hide. I did have an unsealed vape but it wasn’t a problem and I got in with it all 3 days. I think nemo was wanded one time and that was it. In our experience, security was super duper chill. We were not approached by security, cops, or anything like that during our entire weekend, thank goodness.
the shein tent was CUTE AF YALL
So anyway, we’re inside! I love it from the moment we walk in. the fest area is so big! Like they literally took over the whole coast and like 3 parallel streets, so the whole event was nice and spread out. That means the lines for food/drinks/restrooms were relatively short compared to other events ive been to. Only downside was hauling ass from stage to stage because it took a good 15 minutes to go up and down streets and walk in the sand. Lucky for me, there were very few schedule conflicts for the artists I wanted to see, so I never really felt rushed.
loveddd seeing moore kismet for the first time!!
The scene of this festival is beautiful – plenty of super cool photo-ops and art installations, beautifully decorated stages and vendor booths all on top of powdery-white sand and in front of an emerald-green ocean. Whoever decided to have music festivals on the beach is an absolute genius because WOW was it gorgeous.
you know i pulled out the camera the second we walked into the place xD
Since we arrived pretty early, we took advantage of the ocean access while the line was short. The festival allowed only 3 points of entry to get into the ocean and only allowed a certain number of people to go through at a time. I think this idea is smart because I bet it’s difficult to handle a whole bunch of drunk ass ppl getting messy in the big ass ocean. Soo after playing around in the water for a bit while listening to zewmob play at the monster energy booth (don’t know him but he sounded lit), we head over to the main stage to see meet me.
fucking scissors <3 <3 <3
They were awesome! I love this band. It was very cool to see someone who looks like me be so successful in their genre of music (punk-rock). They played some bangers including tmi, try and kool which they played last, which was cool ‘cause I think its my favorite song. After them, we took a quick break and got some drinks before going over to the Malibu tent to watch a hundred drums. Lucky for me, as we were passing through the monster booth, they were giving out free drinks. I got the 0-cal strawberry one which was super good and much needed. Even more lucky for me is that I got to catch some of aluna’s set. Of course I love her and she sounded awesome. What’s better than cool house music on the beach? Even during a break, you’re still having so much fun cause you’re just chillin on the beach, listening to live music and soaking up sun. Like, every moment is a sonic-filled beach vacation and I loved that the most about this fest.
beautiful sunsets on the coast every night
I think a hundred drums had the best dj set and perhaps even the best overall set of the weekend. Now im prolly biased because I grew up going to pretty small, intimate shows, and also she is black with super cute locs so yeah I know im biased but idc! She rocked her set. It was a smaller crowd but everyone was bumpin so hard and she was just going crazy on her turntables. I love her IDM, bassy sounds. She just killed it and the vibes were the most on point during her set imo. I now have a fantasy of collaborating with her so if anyone can get that message to her I would be very greatful :D
she killed it y'all i swear
After that, we took a short break before heading over to the monster tent to watch moore kismet. They were super good too! A similar sound to a hundred but a little more EDM-like, like on some illenium vibes. Peep the video of this dragon thing at the tent. It had foam coming out of the mouth at multiple points.
super cool fireworks show at the end of day 2. i don't think i've seen fireworks on the ocean before! it was dope
Next, we went over to the teva tent to see about their ocean access. Unfortunately, the line was quite long by this time (around 5pm) so instead, we popped a squat at a beach chair and chilled tf out. We chatted with a couple of folks who drove all the way from texas. That’s another thing about this fest – everyone seemed so happy to just be there. For us, everyone was super friendly and had an overall positive vibration about them. It was one of those times where you could tell that everyone was just grateful to have made it there.
nemo multitasking lol
It was during this break time that I realize that glorilla is no longer on the set times list . I was so stoked to hear her. At this point I don’t think she really exists because she cancelled this fest and dreamville. If she’s an AI, that fine, just quit leading us on like this!! :D
getting nice and dark in the sun
Anyway, later on, we head over to one of the side street stages to watch thundercat. They were cool vibes as always but they were doing some random stuff during the first 20mins or so. I hear a couple bops but unfortunately we had to leave the set early to catch Louis the childddd who got added to the lineup last minute. If you’ve read my other reviews, you know I love these dude’s music, so this was a nice sub for glorilla. They killed the set as usual. It was a “playground set” which meant random dj music, which was cool with me. They played better not at the end which was also super cool for me.
lil nas x was a vibe on that horse lol
Lastly, we saw lil nas X who put on a great show. He really came out on a fake horse during his old town road bit. It was a very lively set. i was super pleased at how many black artists were on this lineup. I felt very represented that weekend. Who knew Alabama had it in ‘em lol. We left his set a little early so we could beat the traffic, head back to the hotel and REST.
nemo lookin sexy as usual
SATURDAY
We were able to sleep in a little bit since breakfast goes until 9:30 instead of 9 on the weekends thank goodness. Cause that first day was tiring af. Shout-out to teva for making a good ass sandle that supported my feet all weekend even through the sand. I definitely prefer the sand over a harder surface for something like a music festival. I think it’s easier and more flexible on your feet. ANYWAYS we left for the fest pretty late that day because the first set I wanted to see (flume) didn’t go on until 7:45. As I already stated, lucky for me because we were tiredt.
super cute that they did this for the AL natives at the end of day 2
We breezed through parking and the entrance just like on day 1 and were inside the fest by like 6pm. This gave us some time to explore, get some drinks and smoke by the back gate by the ocean. Yes, it was as chill as it sounds.
waved these flowers around all night on day 3 lol
At around 7:30ish we head over to the main stage for flume. Of course it’s packed because hes lit. thankfully, many people were still sitting so we popped a squat and nemo got some reading done while we waited (peep the pics xD). Y’all, flume is LIT. he played all the bangers including never be like you, rushing back and SLEEPLESS. man I love that song! Such a throwback and a treat to hear for my first time seeing him live. He also had vera blue and kucka doing vox with him which was cool to hear live. He also had cool visuals and of course bass for days. He rocked his set as expected.
when i teel you the sunsets out there were SUPERB
When his set was over, we took turns in the bathroom by the main stage. I waited for nemo by the wall dividing the fest from the ocean access and met a woman who I never got her name but she was really cool. She was sitting up on the wall and saving room for her friends and let us join her spot. It was a perfect, elevated view of the main stage on one side and the ocean on the other – the perfect place to see the best and final act of the day SZA. Bless that woman for helping me to peep game on that spot :)
another shout-out to teva for the free boat shoes
Y’all, SZA is the boss. She put on a really great show. She went way back in the catalgpgue and all the way up to very recent stuff. I think my favorites were kiss me more, broken clocks and the weekend. She was such a great choice to close out Saturday. I heard this fest was her only stop that was not a part of her original tour so I feel a little bit special c8.
thanks shein for the free sweettart necklace :)
At the end of SZA, they set off the end of the day fireworks while playing sweet home Alabama. I thought that was sweet and a nice way to represent the state after such a cool day. Peep the pics and vids for that.
felt like an angel under this heavenly sky lol
SUNDAY
I felt a little sad waking up on the last day ngl. At this point, id gotten used to the routine of getting up/dressed, driving over and watching the schedule like a hawk while cruising around the beach. It kinda sucked that today would be the last day to do it all, so we made sure to make it count. We left a little earlier than Saturday because MAYDAY PARADEEEEE was going on at 6, and also we wanted some time to see the booths and installations we hadn’t seen yet. While waiting for mayday, we saw the m&m booth which had free candy and photo-ops, the SHEIN tent which had free giveaways (peep nemo’s new fannypack) and a GORGEOUS pink tent, and the jose cuervo booth which you entered via this train structure. You walk in and there are these cool visuals on the wall, and on the other side of the train is a 2-story bar/dancing area and a dj going hard with the beats. The drinks at that booth were the tastiest and the strongest.
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR
At about 5:45 we head over to the BOOM stage where mayday is playing. I loved their set because they have such a loyal, long-standing fan base, it seemed that everyone knew every word at least of the older songs. I’ll never get old of hearing them play when you see my friends. Unfortunately they didn’t play anything from sunnyland but I think they were smart to keep the set to the most played songs to ensure people stayed engaged. Of course, they rocked the shit outta their set. That’s another thing about his fest too – I went from seeing dubstep to r&b to emo-punk all in the same weekend. I really appreciate the large spectrum of music genres they had this year.
cuervo had the drinks on pointt
KEVIN GATES I S PROBLEMATIC. I DON’T’T LIKE HIM. That’ all that I’ll say about that.
a happy placeee
Later in the evening after a bathroom break, I ditched nemo who wanted to see who the above performer was about and I went to get ready for skrillex. He was prolly the most anticipated artist I wanted to see this weekend. I’ve been listening to him for years and was super stoked to see him on this lineup. HE DID NOT DISAPPOINTT. Such a lit set. Cool visuals and all the bass. Loved when he played that one song with justin bieber (peep the vid) and rumble. REALLY LOVED when he played scary monsters and nice spirits. That song forever slaps. I left his set feeling very satisfied.
loved seeing these ladies
I met nemo at the teva tent and from there I watched calvin harris from a distance as we made our way to the food before heading out to beat traffic. Calvin had the wholeee fuckin place bumping I swear. I could feel the bass all the way from the car. Loved when he played this is what you came for and that song he has with frank ocean. He was super lit and I kinda wish I stayed to watch in the crowd lol. Will have to prioritize him when he’s on the playbill next time.
was feeling cute on day 2 lol :3
Overall, this music festival was amazing. I mean, you see how much i wrote here and I didn’t even include all of the details (like when I got a free pair of teva slip-ons on the first day because they were giving away extras), so if you’re considering going to this fest, take my advice and GO GO GO. You may even see me there next year!
nemo was very happy about his new fanny pack lol
Our flight back home ended up getting delayed, so we stayed another day in Pensacola. I was thankful for this because the 3 festival days went by in such a quick blur and I was not ready to hop right back on the plane. We stayed at the residence inn by the airport which is REALLY NICE, HIGHLY RECOMMEND. During our day, we chilled at the beach, ate at 5 sister café TWICE (go there if you ever visit the area, its soo good. I tried grits for the first time there and was blown away. Also the bread pudding is CHEF’S KISS) and smoked hella delta-8. Funny how weed is basically legal there so long as the concentration isn’t too high. The weed laws are wishy-washy and funny lol. Shout-out to the ion dispensary for having some real good CBD gummies and pain-reliever cream for my cramps.
we miss you, florbama
Nemo and I had a super great time this weekend and have a new love for the southeast US. If this review doesn’t convince you to visit the area and check out the fest, idk what will! If you have any questions or just want to chat, hmu on the homepage or on my instagram @bunnygoestoshows.
