Summer is right around the corner! For anybody that loves live music, that only means one thing. It’s finally music festival season! Over the past few years the Hangout Music Festival has been THE event to kick off our season. This May The Pier could not be more excited to get back to the beach for 3 days full of music deliver by epic headliners along with sets from a few of our favorites like Damian Marley, Dirty Heads, Iration and many more! 
This year has once again seen an expansion of the festival scene around the country, with new festivals popping up all over. The Pier is no stranger to any live music event, and this summer we will once again be hitting some of the biggest and best festivals in the US. Now, The Pier predominately favors Reggae-Rock music, however we love any music that’s pleasing to the ears, and we especially love a great live show. Fortunately The Pier gets to kick off our summer festival road trip at The Hangout.
A festival that never fails to deliver big productions from great A-list headliners, the weekend is also filled with an amazing array of acts spread along the perfectly pristine white sand beaches of Gulf Shores. 2015 is the 6th year for The Hangout Festival, and once aging the event boasts an amazing line-up, with a roster composed of over 70 acts split across many intertwining musical genres playing on five stages.
During the three days of the festival 40,000 music fans will enjoy days full of music and nights topped off with performances from headliners like the Foo Fighters, Sam Smith, Zac Brown Band and Beck.
While these are sure to be big shows that’ll easily entertain everyone, the unique feature of the Hangout Festival is its locations. These top touring acts will play all over the country this summer, but here is a certain surreal-ness of being on the beach, listening to the sound of the ocean blend with a your favorite track. It’s a mix that can’t be heard anywhere else.
While a festival on the beach is novel to many, the atmosphere can truly enhance the experience, especially during sets with artist who play ‘beach music.’ Their is nothing The Pier loves more than chilling out, feet deep in the sand, while watching a little reggae. Hangout never seems to fail when it comes to booking a solid selection of reggae acts and this year is no exception.
A top the bill is a popular act we are excited to see again. Major Lazer, Diplo’s jamacian dancehall inspired DJ act, is more than just a headlining force in the EDM world. The art has leaked through to mainstream media with its own cartoon show on FXX. Gearing up for the release of a new record Major lazer will be playing select festivals around the country this summer.
The Dirty Heads, one of our favorite groups, are one of those bands that seem to have been born right on the beach. The perfect combination of reggae and hip-hop this groups music is favored for not only its blend on genres but mix of polished studio sounds with the grit of sand and the rhythmic noise of the island.
A heavy hitter in one of the most iconic names in music, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley is the connection between fierce dancehalls and mellow acoustic backyard dance parties. With a combination of original hits and a repertory of family classics, this set is another perfect for the beach.
Playing a strong rotation of festivals around the southeast this summer, Iration will bring their west coast island vibes to Hangout as well this year. After gaining a following with a handful of infamously smooth hits, the band is touring hard in support of the release of their upcoming new studio record.
In the past, Australia’s Xavier Rudd’s onstage one-man-band rig included a half-dozen guitar choices, three didgeridoos and various styles of native drum. Beginning this summer, Rudd will venture down his next path, another adventure adding to an already extensive musical career. Playing as front man to Xavier Rudd & The United Nations, a band of international musicians with diverse musical influences has come together for a new reggae album titled Nanna.
For a full line-up of the artists performing at the Hangout Music Festival, check out the list below.
For more about these artists, their music, and information about Hangout Music Festival, check out the details below.
2015 Hangout Festival Line-up:
Related Links:
Hangout Website
Hangout Facebook
Hangout Twitter
Hangout Instagram
Article By: Aaron Solomon
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