Day 1 Hangout Fest 2023 pictures

Hangout Fest 2023 is finally here and with it, hot temperatures and even hotter acts.

As compared to the 2022 event, which dealt with off-and-on rain throughout the weekend, the 2023 fest got off to a picture-perfect start, with crowds building even for some early acts -- notably The Vegabonds, a Nashville-based group with Alabama ties.

The energy seemed to build quickly, thanks to groups such as the hard-rocking trio Meet Me @ The Altar. Tove Lo stepped on stage to a huge cheer at 3:15 and seemed to surf from peak to peak through the next hour on the festival’s main stage.

Harleigh Colt, a member of the band Rainbow Kitten Surprise, took the stage twice on Friday. The first was a planned set at one of the festival’s electronic dance music (EDM) stages. Colt’s second performance was later in the day to fill in for rapper GloRilla, who canceled her set.

Colt was originally supposed to perform with Rainbow Kitten Surprise as well, but the band canceled the day before the festival, citing an illness. But Colt, an EDM artist, still played many of the band’s hits during their second set.

The festival takes place May 19-21 on the Gulf Shores beach adjacent to the Hangout Restaurant. Other top acts for 2023 include SZA, Calvin Harris and Paramore. Tickets remain available, with prices starting at $349 plus fees for general admission.

Full festival information can be found at the Hangout website. For ongoing coverage, visit AL.com/hangout.