Hangout Festival 2023: Must-See Sets and Unforgettable Headliners in Gulf Shores, Alabama
As the countdown to Hangout 2023 ticks down, the excitement of music enthusiasts soars. The lineup boasts standout acts across every musical genre and memorable headliners, such as Skrillex, SZA, and Calvin Harris, to kick off the festivities. To help you plan your amazing weekend, we’ve selected nine sets you must see at Gulf Shores, Alabama’s one-of-a-kind Hangout Festival. Beware, these performances may lead to a music festival addiction.
DAY 1
MOORE KISMET
MONSTER BEACH CLB I 4:15- 5:15 P.M.
Trust MP3 MAG not to overlook our former cover star, Moore Kismet. Since releasing their LP, Universe, last year, Kismet has performed across Europe and debuted at Ultra Music Festival. Alongside Hangout, they are set to perform at Lightning in a Bottle and Lost Lands festivals in 2023.
Self Love and Powerful Purpose — Inside Moore Kismet’s Beautiful, Chaotic Universe
Kick off the weekend with a magical glimpse into Moore Kismet’s vibrant world of pioneering electronic music. At just 18, this inspiring artist creates a safe space for LGBTQ+ and POC electronic music fans. The non-binary artist uses debut album Universe to reflect on acceptance and the queer experience, captivating audiences with their dynamic stage presence.
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LIL NAS X
SHEIN SURF STAGE I 8:30-9:30 P.M.
Remember Lil Nas X‘s music video in which he descends into hell and dances with the devil in response to homophobic haters? That’s just a taste of Lil Nas X’s humor and savvy social commentary. He burst onto the scene with the record-shattering global hit “Old Town Road,” but that’s merely a glimpse into his success. The singer also doubles as a style icon, as seen in his recent Met Gala outfit: a full-body, sparkly silver cat costume, complete with whiskers. Expect style, substance, and sarcasm throughout his set.
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DAY 2
NOSTALGIX
MONSTER BEACH CLUB STAGE I 2:30 P.M. + MALIBU BEACH HOUSE STAGE I 5:30 P.M.
Hot girls love house music, and rest assured MP3 MAG will be at Nostalgix’s set at Hangout. With two options to choose from, catch the sensational genre blender on Saturday. Revel in Nostalgix’s G House, rap, and techno trance tunes under the bright Alabama sun.
Nostalgix on Building a Universe in Music
Nostalgix discovered her love for rap through streaming female rappers like Missy Elliot, Iggy Azalea, and Princess Nokia. With a childhood filled with constant exposure to music, she styled her own raps over fresh beats, which she’ll proudly show off at her Hangout sets. Her stage name perfectly suits her discography.
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SABRINA CARPENTER
SHEIN SURF STAGE I 6:45-7:45
The best way to warm up for a Paramore and SZA double bill is to belt out Sabrina Carpenter‘s hits “Nonsense” and “Because I Liked a Boy.” At each show, Carpenter flexes her freestyle skills, incorporating the show’s location and current events in her life into a stylish outro following her irresistibly catchy track “Nonsense.” Nothing is more cathartic than watching Carpenter hit those high notes. In her closing song “Because I Liked a Boy,” she shifts the narrative of receiving death threats, harassment from online trolls, and relentless bullying over a past relationship, crafting a compelling revenge saga.
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PARAMORE
SHEIN SURF STAGE I 8:45-9:45 P.M.
Are you in the business of misery? Maybe you’re holding out hope that you’ll be front and center for Paramore‘s Saturday set. As the countdown to Hangout continues, prepare to unleash your inner emo child as Hayley Williams serenades you with classics like “Misery Business,” “Still Into You,” and if you’re lucky, “All I Wanted.” Williams’ live performances manage to exceed her recorded versions, and she punctuates her carefully curated set with fascinating backstories and history of the punk and emo movements of the 2000s.
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SZA
HANGOUT STAGE I 9:45-11 P.M.
Looking for Good Days? Head to SZA‘s set to cap off the second night swaying and bopping to her 2022 chart-topping hits like “Kill Bill,” “Low,” and “Nobody Gets Me.” There’s something special about singing “I might kill my ex, not the best idea” alongside thousands of passionate strangers. SZA’s stage presence is unparalleled as she gracefully navigates the album’s diving board in the middle of the ocean and an abandoned SOS boat, following the titular track of the album. In addition to fantasizing about killing exes and yearning for the good old days, grab your best friend and assure them that “nobody gets me like you” with SZA’s lilting vocals reverberating through the beach fest.
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DAY 3
HONEYLUV
MONSTER BEACH CLUB I 2:30-3:30 P.M.
Don’t leave Hangout without experiencing house music icon Honeyluv. Before Honeyluv began her musical career, she predicted her monumental success. In an interview with MP3 MAG, she said, “Something told me something was going to happen. I didn’t know what it was, but I just had a feeling, like it was meant to be.” After spending a week with a mixer, she became a go-to R&B DJ at parties before discovering her burgeoning passion for House music.
LA-Based HoneyLuv Takes House Music By Storm
After the “Your Tongue” artist dazzles at Hangout, she’s off to a Defected Records x KMS Records Afterparty in Detroit and the Get Funky Fest in Utah.
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ASHNIKKO
SHEIN SURF STAGE I 6:30-7:30 P.M.
If you’re feeling shy or you’re ready to ask grandpa to drop the beat, make sure to head over to Ashnikko‘s Sunday set at the Shein Surf Stage. Unleash your inner fierceness with her empowering lyrics about unapologetic self-expression and revenge on evildoers in the alt-pop rock track, “Daisy.” Ashnikko’s music transcends genres and styles, thanks to her versatility in rapping, crooning, and delivering raw, unfiltered lyrics. The “Weedkiller” singer never fails to stun audiences with her fabulous outfits, superb setlists, and her iconic blue hair. Plus, Ashnikko’s new album, “Weedkiller,” drops two weeks after the festival, leaving audiences craving more of her trend-setting style and riveting beats.
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SKRILLEX
SHEIN SURF STAGE I 8:30-9:30 P.M.
Yes! Oh my god. Years ago, we were blessed with Skrillex’s debut EP, My Name Is Skrillex, his exceptional film scoring (Spring Breakers, we’re looking at you), and the countless pop culture references to the long-haired trailblazer. We have Skrillex to thank for introducing the world to a dubstep universe of “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” and for redefining the dance music genre. After a nine-year hiatus, Skrillex made a triumphant return with a double album release that welcomed long-time Skrillex fans and newcomers alike. Grab your pashminas for a headbanging set with PLUR vibes only.