Dillon Francis at Hangout Music Festival

Dillon Francis

Playing to a moderately packed Boom Boom Tent at the Thursday Night Pre-Party on Thursday, May 16^th was up and coming DJ Dillon Francis.  He played a steady mix of house music, dubstep, and reggaeton dance hall style electronica that kept the crowd moving the whole time.  His hour long set was a good interlude to the headlining acts for the night which included Umphrey’s McGee and Benny Benassi.  Dillon Francis, at only 25 years old, is rising to the top of the dance music scene.  He is a master of remixing other artists tracks and he produces his own music with a unique blend of high-energy styles.  

Ellie Goulding Rocks Hangout Music Festival

Ellie Goulding

Gracing the main stage at Hangout festival 2013 on Sunday, May 13 was British sensation Ellie Goulding.  Despite winning numerous awards and having a number 1 album in her home country of the United Kingdom, her fame in the United States is just starting to blossom.  She played to a jam-packed beach and said on stage how wonderful it was since she had been getting used to playing in front of crowds of 20 people at her other US shows.   Ellie’s soprano voice can only be described as angelic.  Her melodies rang throughout the ears of the audience with a resonating splendor.  

More Hangout Festival 2013 Coverage

Hangout Festival 2013 coverage of Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, Trey Anastasio, The Black Crowes, Tom Petty, The Shins, Passion Pit, Jim James, Public Enemy, Toots, The Breeders, The Roots, Dirty Projectors, Gov't Mule, Ellie Goulding, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Galactic, Grouplove and more.....Please also check out my more in-depth coverage at JamBase and Rolling Stone Online.

Images by Doug Siegel

ZZ Top: La Futura Tour

ZZ Top brought their bluesy-rock sound to the Tennessee Theatre on May 21st.  They were touring on their La Futura album, which is their first album in nine years. It's hard to believe that they have been touring together for over 40 years now, but it certainly showed on this night!   The chemistry between the band was apparent and on display for all to see.  They seamlessly burned through the set list with ease and prowess.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Headline The Hangout

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Words by: Jeremy Carson
Concert Photography by David Oppenheimer - Performance Impressions

Headlining the night of Saturday, May 18th at The Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama were the legends of All-American classic rock-n-roll, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers playing to a jam-packed crowd on the beach. This show contained the majority of Petty’s major hits from the past thirty or so years, so everyone was singing right along as the show went on. The crowd heard “Last Dance With Mary Jane,” “I won’t Back Down,” “Free Fallin’,” and “American Girl,” amongst many more. Other highlights were covers such as Muddy Waters’ “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and The Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil.” The Heartbreakers consist of lead guitarist Mike Campbell, Benmont Trench on keys, bassist Ron Blair, drummer Steve Ferrone, Scott Thurston on rhythm guitar, and of course Petty on rhythm guitar, vocals, and harmonica. Being the Saturday night headliner of a major music festival puts a lot of pressure on the band to perform a top-notch show, but Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers came through with a stellar performance without even flinching.

Reggae on the Beach

Toots and the Maytals

Toots and The Maytals, arguably one of the best reggae bands of all time, performed this past Friday, May 17th on The Chevrolet Stage at the Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama from 2:30-3:45. Being right on the crisp palm tree-covered beach in the afternoon sun, the Jamaican roots reggae band was easily one of the most fitting performances of the weekend. The Maytals have been around since the 1960’s, and even after all these years they are still radiating good vibes on their audience. It is hard to believe that front man Frederick “Toots” Hibbert is 70 years old.

Update:  Future tour dates are currently on hold while Toots (70) is recovering from injury from being hit in the head while performing last month.  He has also file a lawsuit against alleged bottle thrower William Connor Lewis who has been charge with felony assault.

Galactic Takes Over Gulf Shores

Words by: Jeremy Carson

Photos by: David Oppenheimer

Galactic at Hangout Music Festival

Kicking off the summer festival season with a blast was The Hangout Festival taking place in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  With the main stages right on the beach, The Hangout stands out as one of the most epic spring musical vacations.  On a beautiful Sunday afternoon on May 19, from 2:15-3:15, New Orleans funky jazz powerhouse Galactic dominated the Chevrolet Stage.  Nothing is better than dancing to the sextet with the Gulf of Mexico on your right and the white Alabama sand underneath your bare feet.  Galactic’s live shows really demonstrate their wide variety of musical styles and influences.  Vocalist Corey Glover’s unique hip hop twang, drummer Stanton Moore’s layered rhythms, and guitarist Jeff Raines’ melodies all blend into a robust harmony.  Throw in Robert Mercurio’s funky bass and Richard Vogel’s booming keys and you have a substantially flawless performance that is not to be missed.  This show also featured Corey Henry on Trombone.  It is no question why Galactic has become festival favorites after more than 15 years of playing shows.