Gulf Shores’ marquee music festival—Hangout Fest that was rebranded last year as Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots Festival— will skip 2026.
City officials and AEG executives confirmed the cancellation this week, though the reasons behind the decision have become a point of contention between what Mayor Robert Craft initially told the City Council and what official statements now claim.
During a council meeting, Craft suggested the city had essentially forced the issue, telling council members, “We will refuse to let them go back to the acts we’ve had before, so they couldn’t do it. So they canceled the 2026 event, but they’ve got time now to pursue the type of talent we want on our beaches, to invite the right audience that we want on our beaches.”
Those comments raised eyebrows about what “type of talent” and “right audience” Gulf Shores officials were seeking—and who they were trying to exclude.
Craft later walked back that characterization, issuing a written statement yesterday:
The city’s initial 10-year franchise agreement for the Hangout Music Festival was scheduled to conclude following the 2025 event. The city elected to defer consideration of the requested extension until the festival’s outcomes could be evaluated, with input from our residents.
This year’s festival received overwhelming community support, and in late July, the City Council approved a two?year extension. However, the compressed timeline created by this decision did not provide organizers sufficient runway to produce a successful festival in 2026. As a result, the producers have elected not to proceed with a 2026 event.
We’re thankful that festival leadership has taken our community’s comments about the event seriously and is committed to delivering a world-class festival. We appreciate that they are being thoughtful in creating a lineup that will be impactful to our local economy. All parties are focused on planning a strong and well?executed music festival, and we look forward to welcoming them back in 2027.
Opportunity for Pensacola Beach?
The Pensacola International Airport had one of its busiest days the Monday after the 2025 festival— approximately 15,400 total passengers traveling through the facility.
- The previous record was set on July 7, 2024. During the peak hour, TSA screened 762 passengers, exceeding their full capacity rating of 600 per hour. Despite this volume, the longest wait time was only 31 minutes, with an average of just over 13 minutes.
Mayor Reeves attributed the high traffic to the “Sand in My Boots” Festival in Gulf Shores and emphasized the airport’s regional importance, noting significant traffic from Pensacola residents and Baldwin County. He anticipates another busy weekend ahead with Memorial Day and recommends residents check flyPensacola.com for parking information.
Visit Pensacola, Santa Rosa Island Authority and the Pensacola Chamber should contact AEG executives and discuss the possibility of moving the festival here. However, the Board of County Commissioners may need to have assurances from County Clerk Pam Childers that she will pay the bills on a timely basis.
Hangout
The festival was founded in 2009 by A.J. Niland and the owners of The Hangout, after receiving approval from the Gulf Shores city council to stage a major beach music event. Over the years it has hosted headliners such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, SZA, Calvin Harris, and others across rock, indie, hip hop, and electronic genres, establishing itself as one of the more prominent U.S. destination festivals.
In 2015, AEG-owned Goldenvoice entered a partnership to produce the festival and programmed the 40,000-person festival.
Inweekly covered Hangout every year
2012 Schedule
Friday, May 18
—Hangout Main Stage—
Rebelution
1:15-2:15 p.m.
A reggae band from Santa Barbara, Calif. currently touring behind their latest album “Peace Of Mind.”
Coheed & Cambria
3:15-4:45 p.m.
A progressive, post-hardcore band that creates concept records based by a sci-fi storyline created by lead singer Claudio Sanchez.
Chris Cornell
6:30-7:30 p.m.
The famous frontman of Soundgarden and Audioslave is touring solo this time in support of his record “Songbook.”
Jack White (STAFF PICK)
9:30-11:00 p.m.
His debut solo record “Blunderbuss” is so good, we’d be excited just to hear him play that live in its entirety. But we’ve heard that he’s mixing it up on the tour and playing some songs from that other band he used to front, too. Yes – that band. Fingers crossed for some “Seven Nation Army” everybody!
—Chevrolet Stage—
Sleeper Agent
12:15-1:15 p.m.
A garage-pop band from Kentucky riding high on the success of their debut record “Celabrasion.” Even if you haven’t heard of the band, you’ve probably heard their song “Get It Daddy.”
Alabama Shakes (STAFF PICK)
2:15-3:15 p.m.
Jack White likes them. So do the Strokes, Foster the People and Bon Iver. If that’s not enough to get you to check out “the next big thing,” we don’t know what is.
M. Ward (STAFF PICK)
5-6:15 p.m.
Best known for being the “Him” in She & Him with Zooey Deschanel, M. Ward is actually a pretty amazing solo artist, too. His latest record “Wasteland Companion” is so good you honestly don’t even notice the guest backing vocals from his famous friend until the second or third listen.
Wilco (STAFF PICK)
7:30-9:00 p.m.
What can you say about Jeff Tweedy and company that hasn’t already been said hundreds of times? Just go see them, ok?
—Xbox Stage—
Hey Rosetta!
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A six-piece band from Canadian known for their high energy live shows and unique sound that layers piano, violin and cello on top of a traditional rock band structure.
Rich Aucoin (STAFF PICK)
1:15-2:15 p.m.
His latest album “We’re All Dying to Live” features over 500 guest musicians – yes, you read that right – 500. That number even includes a couple of choirs. No idea how he can go about recreating that live, but we’re excited to find out.
YelaWolf (STAFF PICK)
3:15-4:30 p.m.
There isn’t much hip-hop on the Hangout lineup, but YelaWolf is good enough to make you forget that. He’s a rapper, skateboarder and drinker (according to his Twitter bio) and is currently on Eminem’s Shady Records.
Paul Oakenfold
6-7:30 p.m.
Oakenfold is pretty much as famous as you get in the prodcuer/DJ/electronic world. If you haven’t’ heard of him, you probably aren’t into his kind of music anyway.
STS9
9-11 p.m.
Sound Tribe Sector 9 (or STS9 for short) is a five piece electronic music collective from California.
—“Letting Go” Stage—
Switchfoot
12:15-1:15 p.m.
Switchfoot make sunny, Cali surf pop music, so it should be right at home at the Hangout. Remember that song “Dare You To Move?” This is that band.
Allen Stone
2:15-3:15 p.m.
An R&B/soul singer who got his start performing at his dad’s church and sites Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin as inspirations for his sound.
Dawes
4:30-6 p.m.
An L.A. based band with a Laurel Canyon inspired sound that Rolling Stone called “authentically vintage.” Wilco multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone appeared on their debut album “North Hills” so maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll make a special appearance during their set.
Umphrey’s McGee
7:30-9:30 p.m.
It wouldn’t be Hangout Fest without at least a few jam bands now would it? Umphrey’s McGee is a jam band known to experiment with rock, bluegrass and everything in between to create their “improv” sound.
—————————
Saturday, May 19
–Hangout Main Stage–
GIVERS (STAFF PICK)
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
If you think their debut record “In Light” is good, you’ll be surprised by how much better they make it sound live. And if you haven’t heard “In Light” yet, you should really get on that ASAP.
Julian Marley & the Uprising
1:15-2:15 p.m.
A reggae band fronted by Bob Marley’s son.
Gary Clark, Jr.
3:15-4:15 p.m.
A blues guitarist from Austin, Texas known as much for his showmanship as his intense solos.
Dispatch
5:15-6:30 p.m.
An indie/roots band from Boston whose first studio album in 12 years will be released August 21.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
9-11 p.m.
What can you say about RHCP? 65 million records sold and seven Grammy’s won pretty much speaks for itself. We just keep thinking “Under the Bridge” is going sound pretty amazing live at the beach, don’t you think?
—Chevrolet Stage—
Tribal Seeds
12:15-1:15 p.m.
A California roots/rock/reggae band currently on a tour called “Summer Vibes.” Seems pretty fitting for Hangout.
Randy Newman
2:15-3:15 p.m.
A singer-songwriter, arranger, composer and pianist best known for his film scores of Disney Pixar movies.
Gogol Bordello (STAFF PICK)
4:15-5:15 p.m.
If you saw “Everything is Illuminated” with Elijah Wood, then you know Gogol Bordello. Their sound is commonly referred to as “gypsy punk.”
The String Cheese Incident (performing two sets)
6:30-9 p.m.
A jam band from Crested Butte, Colo. All of the members have been known to write songs and share vocal duties.
—Xbox Stage—
Archnemesis
11:30-12:15 p.m.
The brainchild of Curt Heiny and Justin Aubuchon, Archnemesis is an electronic group that utilizes a variety of samples ranging from modern hip-hop to 20’s blues.
Shpongle
1:15-2:15 p.m.
An ambient techno/trance project featuring Simon Posford and Raja Ram.
Mac Miller
3:15-4:15 p.m.
An up and coming emcee from Pittsburgh, who isn’t even of legal drinking age yet.
Kaskade
5:30-7 p.m.
A DJ who has remixed everybody from Britney Spears to Leann Rimes. Apparently Snooki is a fan of his work, too. But we won’t hold that against him.
—“Letting Go” Stage—
Futurebirds
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
A band from Athens (Georgia, not Greece) whose sound is alt-country with a psychedelic twist.
The Devil Makes Three
12:15-1:15 p.m.
A trippy blend of bluegrass, old time music, country, folk, blues, ragtime and rockabilly create their signature “folk punk” sound.
Heartless Bastards
2:15-3:15 p.m.
A female fronted blues band that Patrick Carney of the Black Keys liked enough to help get them a record deal. So that probably means you’ll like them enough to check out their set.
Dr. Dog (STAFF PICK)
4:15-5:15 p.m.
A veteran indie band known for their lo-fi sound and pop sensibilities. They played The Alabama Music Box in Mobile a while back with GIVERS. If you missed that show, here’s your chance to make it up. And if you saw it, we bet you’re going to see them again, aren’t you? Because they’re just that good.
Flogging Molly
7-8:30 p.m.
A seven-piece band from LA known for their signature punk meets Irish music sound.
———————
Sunday, May 20
–Hangout Main Stage–
The Greyboy Allstars
12:45-1:45 p.m.
West Coast jazz, funk and boogaloo from a quintet that’s also been known to cover Michael Jackson.
Michael Franti & Spearhead
2:45-3:45 p.m.
You might remember Michael Franti & Spearhead and their sunny blend of hip-hop, rock, reggae and funk from the inaugural DeLuna Fest. If not, you should make it a point to see them here.
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (STAFF PICK)
5-6:30 p.m.
Remember “Home?” It was that catchy, feel good anthem that was stuck in your head for the better half of ’11 thanks mostly to that NFL commercial. This is that band. Don’t miss your chance to sing along with it live.
Dave Matthews Band
8-11 p.m.
One of the most popular bands in the world and with good reason. Do yourself a favor and stick around until the end of the Fest to see DMB in action.
—Chevrolet Stage—
The Lumineers
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Indie-rock, Americana, classic pop with songs worthy of claps and stomps.
Mavis Staples (STAFF PICK)
1:45-2:45 p.m.
Legendary rhythm and blues gospel singer. Her latest album, “You Are Not Alone,” was produced by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. Fingers crossed he joins her for a song or two.
Steve Winwood
3:45-5 p.m.
Yes—that Steve Winwood. Best known his 1980s Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Higher Love,” the rest of Winwood’s songs feature progressive rock, blues and psychedelic sounds.
Flaming Lips performing Dark Side of the Moon
6:30-8 p.m.
You might have seen the Flaming Lips before, but you probably haven’t seen this. They are going to do Pink Floyd’s legendary album, “Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety. Get ready for some trippy shit.
—Xbox Stage–
Big Freedia and the Divas (STAFF PICK)
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
The “Queen Diva” of bounce music, Big Freedia represents some of the most creative hip-hop currently coming out of New Orleans. Don’t sleep in and miss this set, ok?
Paper Diamond
12:45-1:45 p.m.
Dance party worthy dubstep/electro/pop blend.
Zeds Dead
2:45-3:45 p.m.
Electronic duo from Toronto, Ontario.
Skrillex
5-6:30 p.m.
Grammy-winning Sonny John Moore a.k.a. Skrillex mixes dubstep, brostep, electro-house and metalcore to create his signature sound.
—“Letting Go” Stage–
Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
According to their Facebook they offer “Cajun and zydeco music at the highest level of energy the law will allow.” Even if that’s only half true, they are probably still worth checking out.
Delta Spirit
12:30-1:15 p.m.
The indie-rock band adds unconventional instruments such as trash can lids and orchestral bass drums to produce their sound.
Young the Giant
1:45-2:45 p.m.
Formerly known as the Jakes, Young the Giant started making music in high school and now they’re selling out dates on a solo tour. Their sound is reminiscent of alt-rock bands from the early 2000s, so if that’s your style you’ll probably dig them.
Cage the Elephant
3:45-5 p.m.
Not sure how to explain the name, but the sound is pretty straightforward—
catchy, alternative rock with hints of punk and grunge. They would sound right at home in a dive bar like the Handlebar.
G. Love & Special Sauce
6:30-8 p.m.
You’ve probably seen these Vinyl regulars more than a time or two, but if you’re a fan you’ll probably see them again here. And just in case you aren’t familiar already—their sound is mix of alternative hip-hop, blues and rock and sounds best played live.
Maritime Park?
“the right audience that we want on our beaches.” –Mayor Robert Craft
He misspelled “White.”