Hangout Competition 2020 lineup
Hangout Competition
When the climate turns pleasant and the solar warms the sky, it’s time for music festivals to play on the seaside. There are a number of throughout the nation from BeachLife in Redondo Seaside, CA to Carolina Nation Music Competition on Myrtle Seaside, SC
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I hung out with Dante DiPasquale, the co-founder of Winter Circle Productions, the corporate who runs the Hangout Competition which is arguably the trendsetter of beach-based festivals. Hangout is held yearly on the weekend earlier than Memorial Day, which is that this yr on Could Twentieth-22nd. They put 40,000 music loving folks each day onto the seashores of Gulf Shore, AL. Dante describes Hangout as “an enormous seaside music trip to kick off the summer time. The vibe is simply full freedom on the seaside, nobody cares who you’re or what you appear like, they’re simply there to have time. Everybody simply made it via the winter. It’s the kickoff to the summer time.”
This yr, probably the most premium tickets bought out shortly. As of this writing, there are nonetheless some tickets out there, however there’s little doubt that Hangout might be a sellout previous to the opening notes being performed. A fast test of the secondary markets exhibits a small provide of tickets that are holding worth at or close to face worth.
The primary two levels play at both aspect of the seaside, and you’re standing within the sand or within the ocean as you watch the acts carry out. The opposite levels are on the boardwalk. Hangout’s demographic is usually 18-27 though as in every single place, Hangout attracts some patrons from all ages.
Dante is Hangout’s expertise purchaser, so he has a considerable function in reserving the acts which play this pageant, and you’ll see on the poster above the thought which went into placing collectively the artists who’re enjoying this yr.
Reserving a profitable pageant goes one among 3 ways: both it’s a slender channel corresponding to all EDM music, it’s a various path via many genres, which is how I see this yr’s Hangout lineup, or it’s a clown circus of randomness.
There’s a magic which happens when a pageant comes collectively drawn from disparate influences and attracts a crowd every of whom could prefers one of many genres over others, however over the course of the weekend these in attendance coalesce from a crowded strand of strangers to the collective cathartic expertise of a crowd.
Gulf Shores Alabama has its personal vibe. It’s not your generic setting. There’s taste there which is completely different from what you’d discover in Southern California or in Madison, WI. That well-known southern hospitality spills throughout the seashores the place the levels are constructed for Hangout and encourages a heat which flows from these in attendance, in addition to from the Spring climate in Gulf Shores.
The setting is a big a part of Hangout’s attraction. For these touring from away there’s additionally the chance to take a aspect journey to the close by Flora-Bama bar which has famously straddles the states of Alabama and Florida since 1964.
Under in each video and audio podcast format is my dialog with Dante DiPasquale. As you hearken to the podcast Dante’s love for this pageant shines via just like the Alabama solar.
It’s thrilling to observe a pageant which has been in play for years nonetheless come out swinging with high tier acts and fascinating programming. There may be such a spot from Jack Harlow to Tame Impala or Doja Cat to Kane Brown that there’s each one thing for everybody and one thing which everybody will individually uncover having by no means recognized the act earlier than. That’s the true secret of festivals – it’s a spot the place you go to see what you understand and wind up in entrance of one thing you’ve by no means heard earlier than however it’s now your new favourite.
Should you’re headed within the route of Alabama, take a detour to Gulf Shores, and let the seaside set you free. One you’ve settled into the rhythm of the weekend you’ll be able to chill out and Hangout. Might there be a greater method to spend just a few days of Spring amongst associates, bands and experiences that are geared towards displaying Alabama’s intrinsic hospitality when you frolic on the seaside with 40,000 new associates?
