Alex Taglieri:
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Festival season is always a great way to discover new artists, but it is also an unfortunate reminder of how little savings I have to spend on these events. While I tend to lust over festivals from afar, I can still appreciate some of the best lineups.
Every year, the Hangout Festival lineup makes me want to fly down to Alabama and listen to my favorite artists. The beachfront festival has plenty to offer, from hammocks to a puppy kissing booth. And while Coachella and Bonnaroo’s lengthy lineups are saturated with band names that casual fans don’t know, Hangout Festival’s concise lineup is loaded with talent. Both Welshley Arms and Alex Lahey are on the bottom line of the lineup, but these up-and-coming artists have tracks that seem destined to be sung along to at the top of your lungs. Also rounding out the last line on the lineup, new electronic act Mansionair is sure to put on a dreamy performance perfect for a relaxing day on the Gulf Shores.
The lineup just feels cohesive, unlike some of the bigger names on the festival scene. While the three headliners come from three different genres, each act is at the top of their game and has become a major mainstream artist. The Killers, The Chainsmokers and Kendrick Lamar are some of the biggest names in music, and I believe that any fan would be happy to see them live. It’s also refreshing to see artists on the bill that don’t typically make the rounds at popular festivals. Artists like Poolside and AJR, who are both only performing at one other festival this year, fit perfectly into Hangout Fest’s beachy vibe. Poolside is the quintessential summer artist, and combining their relaxing electronic melodies with the sounds of the waves hitting the shore will definitely provide the ultimate summer experience.
On the other hand, BottleRock is a festival that seems to be having an identity crisis. Located in Napa Valley, the arts and culinary festival typically caters to an older audience than festivals like Firefly and Coachella. However, many of the bands on the lineup do not reflect the preferences of the event’s target audience. The Chainsmokers are making their way to this festival as well, but their sound seems to clash with the upscale atmosphere. Snoop Dogg sticks out against the other big names that will be performing, like Billy Idol. And I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a concert-goer willing to sit through sets from both Halsey and Incubus.
Still, BottleRock will feature sets from tons of fantastic artists, including MISSIO and Manchester Orchestra, who both sound amazing live. Despite its random choice of artists, the festival will still provide a memorable weekend for foodies and music lovers alike.
