My Weekend at Hangout Fest
Photos by Georgia Lingerfelt
This past weekend Hangout Festival brought an eclectic mix of music’s biggest stars to the sands of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The festival is known for its diverse lineups, drawing fans from all walks of life to the white sand beaches for the collective purpose of enjoying live music. The three-day festival hosts artists across five different stages, headlined by the biggest names in pop, country, and electronic music. Here are some of our favorite moments from the weekend:
Chappell Roan
If Chappell Roan could be summarized in one word, it would be "camp." Her blunt lyrics and theatrical performances make her live shows a joy to behold. Before taking the stage, a graphic announced, “This is my Super Bowl.” Chappell ran onto the stage wearing football pads, and a jersey bedazzled with “Good Luck Babe,” the title of her viral single. Although she usually sports drag-style makeup, this time she opted for simple eye black to complement her sporty look. Her set captivated the audience, with fans singing along to every lyric and many dressed head-to-toe in pink, reflecting the artist’s personal brand. Even the security guards joined in on the“HOT-TO-GO!” dance. Thousands of fans arrived early for her 3 pm set, a testament to her rising fame after touring with Olivia Rodrigo. Chappell closed with “Pink Pony Club,” as the crowd waved pink bandanas, hats, and pretty much anything else in her signature color.
Reneé Rapp
Reneé Rapp is one of the best vocalists of this generation. Her Broadway roots prepared her to execute impressive vocal acrobatics while engaging with the crowd and cameras projecting performances across the festival. But it’s not just her voice that makes Rapp stand out—it's her personality and connection with her fans. Between songs, she humorously thanked the straight men accompanying their bisexual girlfriends and acknowledged a fan’s sign reading, “You’re my emotional support, white girl.” Her performance was a highlight of the weekend, showcasing not only her vocal prowess but also her ability to connect with her audience.
Cage The Elephant
Cage the Elephant made sure the entire crowd had something to talk about. The brothers that front the band, Matt and Brad Shultz (lead vocals and guitar respectively), started the set off by jumping into the photo pit, high-fiving fans, and playing guitar on the barricades. Just as the sunset, the band played “Trouble,” one of the band's anthemic hits, causing the crowd to sway and sing along to the chorus. The Shultz brothers’ high-energy antics and the band’s infectious music created a memorable and dynamic performance.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey found an innovative way to be fashionably late. She made a dramatic entrance to her headlining set by leading a train of golf carts filled with her dancers, circling the massive crowd. To make up for her being 20 minutes late to her set, the alternative superstar brought four guests on stage. Lana Del Rey brought on Canadian rapper Tommy Genesis to perform their song “Peppers” off of the Grammy-nominated album Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. She then brought on rising superstar, Benson Boone to perform his chart-topping hit, “Beautiful Things.” Lana took time to praise the young singer's vocal abilities before he flipped off stage. Nessa Barrett was the next to come on stage, performing “American Jesus” in front of a collection of American flags. The final collaborator joined the stage to sing the crowd off into the night. Country star, Jelly Roll, led an extended version of “Sweet Home Alabama” as fireworks marked the end of night one.
Photo credit: Alive Coverage for Hangout Fest 2024 / @alivecoverage
Hangout Festival 2024 delivered a weekend filled with standout performances, eclectic music, and unforgettable moments on the beautiful GulfShores. From Chappell Roan’s drag inspired theatrics to Lana Del Rey’s star-studded set, the festival once again proved why it’s a must-attend event for music lovers.