As if an amazing weekend spent on the beaches of the Gulf Coast wasn’t nice enough, music fans can experience the first ever large scale music festival on the beach at The Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival.

“It was our idea to put together a great music event for the Gulf Coast,” said Shaul Zislin, owner of The Hangout.

The three day event, May 14-16 in Gulf Shores, Ala., features national headliners and Grammyaward winners of rock, country, soul, bluegrass, funk and blues playing on four stages, including two main stages located directly on the beach.

Zislin and his wife Lilly are owners of The Hangout. Zislin says this event will be unique among the long list of similar music festivals across the country.

“Most of them are camping festivals,” Zislin explained. “We have put together a festival that will not only appeal to the hard-core festivalgoers, but also people who enjoy the music but do not want to stay in a tent.”

Zislin brought Huka Entertainment of Mobile, Ala. onboard to coordinate the musician bookings, event staffing, and logistics.

“We have put together a team of big league entertainment festival staffers,” Zislin said. “They work at some of the biggest festivals around the country and are the best at what they do.”

This is the first major music festival of the summer and it promises to deliver fun-soaked fun unlike any other event in the area.

The location is one reason why.

“Gulf Shores has all of the resorts and amenities that will attract visitors of all kinds,” Zislin said. “Imagine being able to stay in a nice condo and walk down the beach to this great festival.

“No other festival offers this.”

The festival is creating quite a buzz along the Gulf Coast, and even across the nation.

“So far, we have sold weekend ticket packages to people from 42 states,” Zislin boasted.

That’s pretty impressive for the first year. If you’re interested in tickets, be sure to book them soon as they are surely in high demand and selling fast as the date approaches.

Festival tickets are available online at www.hangoutmusicfest.com as well as at The Hangout, Innerlight Surf Shop in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, and Surf Style stores along the central Gulf Coast. Ticket prices are $159 for a threeday pass and limited $79 day passes are now available online only. VIP ticket and travel packages start at $500 and are available online or by phone at 1-888-512-SHOW.

BAND SCHEDULE

Friday, May 14:
Zac Brown Band
Alison Krauss
Union Station
The Black Crowes
North Mississippi Allstars Duo
Girl Talk
Pnuma Trio
Orianthi
Brett Dennen
Jeff Austin & Friends
Davy Knowles/Back Door
Slam
Rachel Goodrich
Kirsten Price
El Cantador
Ben Arthur
Hightide Blues
Saturday, May 15:
John Legend
The Flaming Lips
Jakob Dylan and Three Legs
Gov't Mule
Funky Meters
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Jerry Jeff Walker
Ozomatli
The Whigs
Toubab Krewe
Moon Taxi
A.A. Bondy
Wild Sweet Orange
Jon Black
Rustlanders
Sunday, May 16:
Trey Anastasio and TAB
Ben Harper and Relentless 7
Ray LaMontagne
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Guster
NEEDTOBREATHE
Matisyahu
Keller Williams
OK GO
Blind Boys of Alabama
Black Joe Lewis and the
Honeybears
ALO
Matt Hires
Kristy Lee
Roman Street
Rollin' in the Hay
The Cary Laine Band