Thoughts on my 3rd Hangout and 2nd as VIP:Logistics: Overall - Hangout took that great improvement in crowd logistics from 2011 to 2012 and streamlined it more for 2013. Lines were virtually nonexistent. I particularrly liked how they put grass at the entrances to the beach stages. It gave you an opportunity to comfortably remove your sandals without creating a bottleneck. VIP Chevy stage was greatly improved with more seating and a larger viewing area... AND they fixed the sound!!
VIP Grove - Yeah, I get it. We can't take liquor out of the Grove. Fine. Can I take my UNOPENED bottle of water? Not this year! You hear me right, not even an unopened bottle of water. There was so much waste going on because of this policy. Also, last year, the VIP section for the Letting Go stage was tented. This may sound petty to you, but the tent provided some sort of acoustic to be able to hear the bands on that stage. This year, the sound was terrible in that grandstand. And it was hot as balls. Can we just have our tent back?
Cops: Um, you're in Alabama. What exactly did you expect? Yes, I saw a few kids being shaken down because they were failing so hard at being discrete. I also saw two being carried out for severe (as in not being able to walk) intoxication.
Weather: Gorgeous the entire weekend! Sunday was a bit overcast, but I appreciated it in my sunburned condition. Low to mid 80's all day and mid to upper 60's at night. I'm a smaller lady, so I got a bit chilled during the headliners when that sea breeze kicked in. Ladies, it may behoove you to bring a sweater or a wrap if you can fit it in your bag.
Crowds: 2011's crowd was annoyingly young. 2012's crowd was more annoyingly young and fratty than 2011. 2013's crowd was
slightly older, but still pretty fratty. The VIP areas are a considerably older crowd (late 20's to late 30's, mainly) and are much more considerate. If you are in a more laid back stage in life, VIP will appeal to you.
Concerts: I will put this down in the recommendations as well, but I highly suggest visiting some of the undercards. I dragged my boyfriend to some of these unknowns-to-us and we were blown away! Believe me when I say we talked way more about Galatic and the Revivalists on the way back than we did Petty and Stevie.
1. Galatic - OMG! Corey Glover is their lead vocalist and it just blew us away! His cover of "How Many More Times" rocked!
2. Revivalists - They played at the Letting Go stage and then again in the VIP Grove before Trey. Love! Love! Love!
3. Quixotic - Sound a lot like Beats Antique. Their stage show was great... dancers, contortionists, etc.
4. Grizzy Bear - I have loved GB for years. I was really impressed with the bass player. Boy could throw down!
5. Sheepdogs - Walked into this one cold and loved it! I hate that we left early for Jim James (snooze fest!)
6. The Roots - Totally brought it!
7. The Shins - Loved those guys for a decade. I was a little tipsy for this set and apologize to the guy I kept kicking sand on in my drunken dancing.
8. Delta Rae - I caught them at the preparty in 2012 and became a fan. I love their harmonies. They do a great cover of "The Chain".
9. Govn't Mule - I watched Mule from the VIP pool!
Great set... great cover of "Since I've Been Lovin' You" directly followed by "Soulshine". Happy me!
10. Petty - solid set of his hits. A good time was had.
Recommendations: If you've never been to Hangout in general:GO if you want to kill 2 birds with 1 stone (beach vacay + music fest)
DON'T GO if you are super serious into music and can't be bothered with a beach party atmosphere.
GO (this one is for the ladies) If you are comfortable walking around in a bikini (with or without a coverup) for 3 days.
DON'T GO (ladies) if you're going to compare your 20-or-30-something year old body to 18 year olds. You looked that way at 18 too, but then you had a kid/started a career/did whatever real world stuff you did between 18 and now. Own it, girl! I walked around in a bikini with pride!!
GO if you're open-minded to check out some of the undercard. Hangout did an excellent job!
DON'T GO if all you care about are the headliners. They (and I'm saying this as far back as 2011) are ALWAYS a let down compared to the undercard.
GO if fratty kids don't bother you... or you are one.
DON'T Go if you think those kids should get off your beach.
If you've never gone VIP:VIP if you like convenience... If you like mimosas in the morning... If you don't like pulling out your money every time you want a drink or a snack...
DON'T VIP if you enjoy having all of the food choices from outside vendors. VIP menu is limited.
VIP if like up close viewing and cooling off in pools at the two main stages.
DON'T VIP if you like EDM. There is no VIP area. You will be buying your own beer all weekend, as opposed to complimentary beer at the Grove and main stages.
VIP if you like air-conditioned potties with running water to wash your hands.
DON'T VIP if you aren't a germaphobe and are completely fine with port-a-potties.
I think that about covers it. I enjoyed my experience again this year and bought my 2014 tickets on Sunday. Thanks, y'all! I'll see you when we start speculating about the next one!
Great set... great cover of "Since I've Been Lovin' You" directly followed by "Soulshine". Happy me!
