Friday’s Festivities at the Hangout Music Festival
Friday’s entertainment started out strong with Lance Herbstrong performing in the Boom Boom Tent. It was my second Lance Herbstrong set, and I was impressed with how they kept the performance fresh and engaging for the Hangout crowd. The band spoke later about their set. Kamal Soliman, brought up that they performed new remixes by Bloc Party, (a 2013 Hangout Music Festival artist), and a new remix titled ‘Blackout’ by The Knocks during an extended interview. YouTube Link.
Toots and the Maytals
Toots and the Maytals kicked up the sand on the beach at the Chevrolet Stage early Friday afternoon. The sun beat down on the audience, but the reggae music created a cool vibe in the air. The Gulf Coast breeze provided a refreshing relief throughout the four day celebration.
The Hangout Music Festival wisely selected a smart location and weekend of the year to put on music festival. They close downtown Gulf Shores, Alabama, and provide shuttles to guests during the extended weekend. One of my favorite pieces about the festival is meeting the people in Gulf Shores. There is something in the water that makes people more thoughtful, friendly and respectful.
Ryan Bingham is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. Before the festival, I was able to review some of his impressive work. Recently Bingham has picked up a list of prestigious awards including: a Grammy, Golden Globe Award, Academy Award as well as many others. As I worked on live coverage in the Media Area on Friday, Ryan’s publicist approached me to work with him on an interview. His management team had reached out to me before the event, and I was ready to go when she approached me on Friday. The interview went really well, and I was able to check out some of his live performance on the Letting Go Stage. My overall impression on Ryan Bingham is that he is a class act on and off stage. To fInd out more on his music, link up with the live interview. YouTube Link.
Hangout Music Festival
Afrojack provided the hardcore hitting midday bass in the Boom Boom Tent on Friday. The tent was packed for that set. The crowd danced up a storm outside the tented area as well. It was my first time seeing an Afrojack performance. It was rowdy, fun, rowdy, and really fun.
Grizzly Bear kept the Chevrolet Stage hot with the indie rock from Brooklyn, New York. This was my second time seeing the band perform live. They were more lively with a beach setting, compared to when I first saw them in a crowded tent. The Weeks were also performing during this time slot on the BMI Stage. I was able to stop by and check out their live performance and relax in the Hangout Lounge area.
The biggest breakthrough set of the weekend that I caught live was Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on Friday evening. Their live set started to make me think about the future of music, civil rights and how they executed their performance.
When an artist thinks about how to create an unforgettable moment, and effectively executes it in creative manner with the audience, I start to see the future of music. It is not a secret that artists and entertainers are powerful voices of influence all over the world. What I foresee in the upcoming years is a reemergence between live performances and social change. It is already happening when Rage Against the Machine performs during the Occupy Movement. I see a future where artists work hand in hand with the leaders of the world, to lead their fan bases to solve major issues. I have seen people come together to work out problems at several festivals and events.
Conscious Alliance offered a free poster to guests at the Hangout Music Festival that provided a $20 donation or 20 cans on nonperishable goods. That is just one of many great examples of how the CA and event was giving back to those in need of help.
Big Gigantic settled up the score on the Letting Go Stage to wrap up Friday’s entertainment. The Denver duo brought one of the best sets to the shores of the Gulf Coast. Kings of Leon made their way back to the stage after a hiatus following a series of unfortunate events during their 2010 Summer Tour.
It was my second Kings of Leon performance, and I found that the break from the road did the band well. Their set contained new music that was streamed live on MTV for the online viewing audience along with the members in attendance at the Hangout Festival.