Photos by: Brian Glass

Friday, May 16

Weather again this year was stellar all four days in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We drove into clear skies with bicycle beach cruisers strolling up and down the beachside. Riding a bike roadside is safe and relaxing during the day, but guests may want to take caution at night. 

After arriving in Gulf Shores we mapped out a parking space. An interesting element to the Hangout Music Festival is the parking. If you have never been to the event, they close off a section of downtown and have a majority of the guests use public transportation such as shuttles and cabs to get around the area. Locals provide their yards as parking spots for traveling guests from outside areas. If you arrive early, some spots for parking are free, but limited. We have built a long last friendship with a group of good people after paying to park at their place. The tradeoff is sometimes well worth it.

We parked the car and headed into the event as heRobust, Empires and Ozomatli were finishing their sets. Each of the acts brought a unique sound to the official opening of the 2014 Hangout Music Festival.

Ozomatli | 11:30-12:30 | Hangout Stage

Ozomatli, Grammy award-winning artist from Los Angeles brought their Latin grooves to the Hangout Music Festival early Friday. It was my third time seeing the band perform live. Their outdoor performances seem to have a little more energy in comparison to their indoor shows. The seven piece unit performed songs off of ‘Place in the Sun’ during their set on the main stage. 

That’s our bus. That’s the beach. Hang Out Festival you guys! pic.twitter.com/kZnZVoZvXd

— Ingrid Michaelson (@ingridmusic) May 16, 2014

Allen Stone grooved on the Chevrolet Stage and the Black Lips performed their top notch rock from 12:30-1:30 on Friday afternoon. Each set was a fiery musical powder keg of energy and soul in their own unique way. After those sets I danced on the beach to Balkan Beat Box on the Hangout Stage in the sun. 

Ingrid Michaelson, is a New York based singer-songwriter has a decorated career in music industry, and tore down the Chevrolet Stage in the midday sun at Hangout. Her crowd was stacked with diehard fans waitings to get a chance to share a live performance with Ingrid. Sway hyped up the crowd and introduced the band to the crowd.

It was my first time seeing her live, and being able to view it from side stage made it even more special. Michaelson’s live performance was mesmerizing and heart-racing during their entire performance.

Claude VonStroke, is a San Francisco based DJ and brought the crowd alive during his set in the Boom Boom Tent. The beats were turning up the crowd in contemporary fashion. After his set we made our way close for the Wiz Khalifa performance on the Chevrolet Stage.

Wiz Khalifa is a Pittsburg, Pennsylvania lyricist, actor and producer that has helped put Philly hip-hop on the map in a major way. The show was packed with thousands of diehard Wiz fans with a thirst to dance. Beautiful women filled the audience on shoulders, in the dance pit, and just about anywhere there was room. The sold out attendance cap could be felt during the large name artists.

The Taylor Gang crew went through classic hits and new material featuring up and coming artists in the group. Wiz mentioned that the festival was an excellent opportunity to showcase new talent. Each song amped up and kept the crowd wanting more throughout the entire performance. Brian covered The 1975 on the Palladia Stage during the Khalifa set. Both sets were well receipted at the festival.

The Black Keys and STS9 split the headlining time slot on Friday evening. The Akron, Ohio due known as The Black Keys performed songs from their latest album ‘TURN BLUE” including ‘Fever’ and many other raw, classic tracks on the Hangout Stage. Watch live tracks from the performance via MTV.

STS9 delivered their EDM/Rock that shook things up in the Boom Boom Tent. The band has recently reformed after the departing of David Murphy on bass. Alana Rocklin is now playing bass with the group and doing a phenomenal job filling in.

Be Nice, March, Rent > Moonsocket > Rent, When the Dust Settles, Vapors, The Rabble, Gobnugget, Instantly, World Go Round> Totem*, Click Lang Echo, Inspire Strikes Back, Evasive, Kamuy, Awesome (Cool Kids STS9 Remix) > Unquestionable Supremacy of Nature

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Wiz Khalifa, The Black Keys and STS9 Perform at Hangout


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