Additional Acts Set to Perform: ZEDD, The Killers, Halsey, The Chainsmokers, and Over 60 Acts
Goldenvoice and the Hangout Music Festival have announced dozens of live acts set to perform in Gulf Shores, Alabama from May 18-20.
The social media response is the same as the past two years with diehard alumni taking verbal jabs at the lineup.
After covering the event from 2013-2016, I can say that the lineup undercard does lack name recognition. The festival broke out 7-10 big names, and left the smaller acts to fend for themselves with smaller advertising budgets to gain exposure.
The headliners can sell 30,000-40,000 tickets alone, but they must get frustrated with the social media response. Any festival with an advertising budget can get a lot of shares and tags, but only the most thoughtful events are getting praise within the top comments.
I am a huge fan of ODESZA, Portugal. The Man, Kendrick Lamar, Pussy Riot, ZEDD, and many other acts. It is my job as a music journalist to highlight the smaller acts. One element that I find missing within live music is the lack of opportunities for smaller acts. Mainstream radio has a high bar for advertising costs, as well as social media platforms. In addition, social media advertising is not cutting it to getting awareness, and building a loyal fanbase.
Musicians are going to have to start producing new genres and styles of music to get to the top. I’ve seen acts more concerned about likes and robots, rather than saving resources to be able to afford established producers. I also suggest going on tour with larger acts to obtain a bigger audience.
Anderson. Paak and the Free Nationals has broke through the glass ceiling. I suggest many smaller acts follow their success.
Music festivals typically mirror the current state of the music industry. With social media being the main problem, my solution is to help readers see the negative impact social networks have on several industries. We have to stop going to these channels for overrated ads, and start focusing on real life with our friends and family. Facebook and Instagram both hoard billions of dollars without hiring thousands of more people each year. These social networks obtain millions of dollars from foreign governments to throw elections. They only allow groups with advertising dollars to get seen, and we have started to see this manipulation, but many of us have failed to give up on them. I find it repulsive. I love the music industry and hope social media managers start to use AdWords more often to obtain a higher click through rate to engage more people.
The festival booked indie acts during the first three years with a strong fanbase. The problem with the past few years is that they continue to book indie acts without a strong following, and hope to turn people onto new acts. That is a hard sell for the competitive music festival market.
Stream a YouTube playlist featuring acts from Hangout Fest 2018.
Overall, I am sure it will once again sell out of tickets in April or May. Grab your sunblock and hater shades. The social media response may be negative now, but after the event wraps the people that actually attend will have many warm memories to share.
Browse over the entire list of performers:
