Nine Can't-Miss Things to Do and See at Hangout Music Festival

This weekend, the Hangout Music Festival will take over the coast of Gulf Shores, Ala. Three days of music, fun and sandy beaches, Hangout is as much a vacation as it is a music festival. And we’ll be there.

There are obviously a number must-see acts at this weekend’s festival, namely the stellar headliners of Foo Fighters, The Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, Cee Lo Green, Widespread Panic and The Black Keys. Oh and Paul Simon, yeah, that Paul Simon, he’s gonna be awesome.

But we decided to highlight some of the other essential must-see and must-do activities while on the lovely shores. Don’t forget your sunnies and sunscreen.

9. Portugal. The Man

When: Sunday, 11:30am, Surf Style Stage
Why: This pop-rock band, who actually hails from Wasilla, Arkansas, has an aggressive, cathartic sound that’s evident on their debut LP, Waiter: You Vultures!. That sound expanded even more with the addition of myriad instruments like trumpets and trombones in subsequent releases like Censored Colors. – Nathan Spicer

8. The Ferris Wheel

When: The whole time
Why: Because it’s a sweet Ferris wheel, and you get an awesome view of the whole festival from the top. Take a trip back to your younger years and enjoy the sweet simplicity of being up in the air.

7. Michael Franti and Spearhead

When: Sunday, 6:00pm, Hangout Stage
Why: If Girl Talk isn’t quite your style, we recommend heading over to the Hangout Stage to check out Michael Franti and Spearhead. Franti creates the type of spcially-conscious hip-hop that’s immediately infections and palatable to a wide range of audiences. His topics include the tragedy of war to the warmth of sunlight, and everything includes a hefty bounce. – Nathan Spicer

6. The Paste Tent

When: The whole time
Why: Come check out the Paste tent. You can hang out and meet some of our staff, and you might get a super secret sneak peek at what we have coming soon.

5. Motörhead

When: Saturday, 7:15pm, Grooveshark Stage
Why: While most will be flocking to the Surf Style Stage for The Flaming Lips, step aside and treat yourself to some good old-fashioned metal. Recently hooking up with Foo Fighters for a North American tour, Motörhead are sure to bring an energetic set so electrifying, your face will probably melt off.

4. Minus the Bear

When: Saturday, 2:30pm, Surf Style Stage
Why: Shimmering electric guitars and confident vocals are the indie-rock staples from Seattle’s Minus The Bear, as well as songs about parties and sex and girls… and lemurs and monkey knife fights. – Nathan Spicer

3. Galactic

When: Sunday, 7:30pm, Grooveshark Stage
Why: Though its a tough sell trying to convince anyone to not see The Black Keys, who unfortunately will be hitting the Surf Style Stage at the same time, Galactic is surely the way to do it. Hailing from New Orleans, the band blends jazz and funk often with a hip-hop infusion. In addition, we recently spoke to Galactic’s drummer Stanton Moore about his work the upcoming PS3 game, inFamous 2.

2. Rich Aucoin

When: Friday (Late Night Show) Doors at 11:30pm, Saturday, 11:15am, Boom Boom Room
Why: Collectively, Paste has seen Aucoin perform three times now, once at SXSW, and twice in a jam-packed living room in a house north of Atlanta. But no matter the venue, Aucoin always brings the house down. Whether that means leading the crowd in a frighteningly catchy sing-along, shrouding them in a kindergarten-style parachute, showering them in confetti or, most importantly, joining them in the fray, Aucoin delivers a live performance you surely don’t want to miss.

1. Other Various Cool Things

When: The whole time
Why: It’s a music festival on the beach. Look around you. Just look around you. We’re sure you’ll find something cool to do.