Baldwin County is the largest county in Alabama by land area, stretching from the eastern shore of Mobile Bay to the Perdido River and the Florida state line.
The Hangout Music Festival is heading into its 10th year in 2019, and with a newly announced headliner lineup that includes Travis Scott, The Lumineers, Khalid, Vampire Weekend, Cardi B and Kygo, the beachside event in Gulf Shores looks poised to draw its usual crowd of roughly 40,000 music fans and support staff over the course of the three-day weekend, set for May 17-19. The announcement comes after a swirl of speculation last year that the festival might leave Alabama altogether.
The county’s population has grown dramatically in recent decades, more than doubling since 2000 to about 250,000 residents.
Following the conclusion of the 2018 festival, rumors circulated that Hangout could relocate to Panama City Beach, Florida. Festival director Sean O’Connell pushed back firmly on that idea, expressing gratitude for the small beach town that has hosted the event since its founding.
Baldwin County’s economy is anchored by tourism along the Gulf Coast, with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach drawing millions of visitors each year.
“We are so fortunate to have what I think is the most amazing music venue in the world in Gulf Shores, Alabama, but it is also a town of 8,000,” O’Connell said. “With that said, I’ve never seen a rumor so rabid in my life.” Hangout Fest was founded a decade ago by owner Shaul Zislin, with early help from promoter and Mobile native A.J.
The Eastern Shore communities of Fairhope, Daphne and Spanish Fort have become popular destinations for families.
Niland, who parted ways with the festival in its early years. The inaugural event brought a still-developing beachside concept to life, built around creating a memorable experience rather than simply booking big names.
Baldwin County Public Schools has been joined by a handful of municipal school districts in recent years.
Background and Context
That first lineup featured acts including Trey Anastasio Band, Zac Brown Band, John Legend, The Flaming Lips and Ben Harper & Relentless7 — and it happened against a difficult backdrop, with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico that same spring and a weather evacuation forcing organizers to clear the festival grounds on a Sunday morning. Despite those obstacles, the first Hangout Fest made a lasting impression on the region.
The county’s road network includes U.S. Highway 31, U.S. Highway 59, State Route 181 and the Foley Beach Express.
O’Connell was involved from that first year, though his role at the time focused on sponsorship, marketing and branding rather than the overall direction of the festival. He took over as director in 2013 and has since guided the event through a decade of changes both on stage and behind the scenes, even as its founding concept — creating a destination built around summer, friendship and music — has stayed intact.
Baldwin County’s coastline includes the Gulf State Park, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
“Our vision is huge,” O’Connell said. “We want to create the best festival experience in the world.
The county’s economy also includes significant agriculture, with row crops, cattle and, more recently, hemp farming supporting rural communities.
What I mean by that is that we want to create a destination that people come to celebrate summer, celebrate friends, celebrate fun and celebrate music.” The festival’s second year brought back Hangout regulars Widespread Panic alongside Paul Simon, and also marked the beginning of an expansion into electronic dance music that broadened the lineup’s genre range in the years that followed. O’Connell said the festival’s approach to booking has remained consistent even as musical tastes have shifted dramatically — the goal, he said, is always to feature whatever’s resonating in the moment, regardless of genre.
Baldwin County’s growth has created challenges for local governments, which have had to expand services, schools and infrastructure.
Local Reaction
“I want a program that’s important in the moment,” O’Connell said. That philosophy has meant embracing rapid changes in how audiences discover and consume music.
Real estate development along the Gulf Coast and on the Eastern Shore has been particularly active.
O’Connell pointed to the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music as one of the biggest shifts he’s witnessed since Hangout’s founding, one that has reshaped both what songs become popular and how quickly new artists can break through. “How people listen to music has completely changed from when we started the festival to even three years ago,” he said.
Baldwin County’s coastal location makes it vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms.
“Four years ago, how many people had Spotify or Apple Music? I don’t even think Apple Music was around four years ago.
The Intracoastal Waterway runs through Baldwin County, providing a navigable channel for commercial and recreational boating.
We’ve literally seen a complete change in how people consume and enjoy music, which I think is amazing. I think it’s putting opportunities out there for young artists to rise to the top.
Baldwin County’s cultural life includes the Eastern Shore Art Center and a variety of community events held throughout the year.
The Bigger Picture
I love that.” He also said younger festivalgoers increasingly reject the idea of sticking to a single genre — a shift he sees as generational rather than a passing trend. “With the generation coming out, I don’t think most fans think in terms of genre,” O’Connell said.
The county is home to several historic sites, including the Fort Morgan peninsula.
“That’s generational. If you’re someone who thinks, ‘I just want some rock ‘n’ roll,’ that’s a concept I can’t wrap my head around, and most people seldom do.” Producing the festival has also changed dramatically behind the scenes.
Baldwin County’s natural assets, including its white-sand beaches, make it a major destination for both day-trippers and seasonal residents.
In the early years, O’Connell said, planning for the following May’s event wouldn’t begin in earnest until a phone call in December. Now, Hangout Fest planning runs year-round, a shift that reflects both the festival’s growth and the increasingly elaborate experience organizers try to build each year.
Real estate prices in Baldwin County have climbed significantly over the past decade, with the resort area commanding premium prices compared to inland communities.
O’Connell is keeping details about the festival’s 10th anniversary celebration under wraps for now, but said the team is constantly developing new concepts, building on a 2018 season he described as one of the festival’s most successful yet in terms of new ideas landing with the crowd. “This was the first year where everything that we dreamed up really connected,” O’Connell said.
Local government in unincorporated Baldwin County is overseen by the Baldwin County Commission, which has worked to balance growth with conservation in recent years.
What Comes Next
“Sometimes we have an idea that falls flat because the concept that you dreamed up didn’t work or the execution wasn’t great. This year was just fantastic.” Last year’s new additions included roller disco, a dedicated “Camp Hangout” area, new beach clubs and a tropical spa — amenities that have become part of what distinguishes Hangout from other major festivals nationally.
Local officials have stressed the importance of community engagement as the situation continues to develop.
Weekend passes for the 2019 festival are on sale now, with general admission, VIP, Super VIP and “Big Kahuna” package tiers, along with an installment payment option and separately available shuttle passes. For Gulf Shores, the festival has become both an economic engine and a point of civic pride, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the small beach community each May and cementing the city’s reputation as a national destination for live music, a decade after the festival’s uncertain, storm-shortened debut.
Residents with questions or concerns have been encouraged to reach out to their elected representatives.
The story is one of several similar situations playing out across the region in recent months.
Anyone following local news will recognize many of the names and places involved.
Local civic organizations have begun organizing meetings to discuss the implications.
Business owners and residents alike say they will be watching closely.
The situation underscores how decisions made at the local level can have far-reaching consequences.
Community leaders have called for patience and for a commitment to working through the issues in a transparent manner.
Several local churches and faith groups have offered to host discussions about the topic in the coming weeks.
Public comments at recent meetings have reflected a wide range of opinions.
Local reporters will continue to follow the story and to update readers.
Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend upcoming public meetings.
The outcome of the situation could shape similar discussions in other communities for years to come.
Local historians note that similar issues have surfaced in the past.
Area nonprofits and volunteer groups have stepped up to help residents navigate the changes.
Local businesses have begun adjusting their operations in anticipation of what may come next.
Looking Ahead
The story continues to develop, and residents across the region will be watching for additional updates in the coming weeks. Local reporters and community organizations will continue to track the situation as it unfolds, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. Anyone with a direct stake in the outcome is encouraged to stay engaged with the public conversation through meetings, news coverage and direct outreach to local officials.