Smartphone Apps to Ensure You Don't Miss a Beat at Hangout Music Fest

More than 35,000 music enthusiasts will flock to the white sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Ala., this weekend for Hangout Music Fest. The three-day event, now in its fourth year, features a lineup of more than 100 artists, ranging from superstars Stevie Wonder and Kings of Leon to lesser known artists like Toots and the Maytals and Galactic.

With such an eclectic lineup, there’s truly something for every music fan. And with so much happening, your smartphone, and the network it runs on, can go a long way to helping you make the most of the festival.

Get ready for the trek to the show with Spotify; it will be a saving grace for festival preparations as the ultimate app for finding new and popular music. And of course, you can’t forget the Official Hangout mobile app. It includes customizable music schedules and tips for finding delicious beach cuisine in between shows. Plus that app syncs with Facebook and Twitter so you can share your experience with friends via social media.

Throughout the festival, document your favorite shows and songs with Socialcam, a free app that lets you share videos to your social media accounts with the click of a button. You can personalize your videos with custom filters, titles and soundtracks to create the ultimate fan video. Trending pages also allows you to see the most popular videos from around the festival.

Once the show comes to an end, you’re on your own for selecting the best nighttime entertainment around the area. Orange Beach first timers should take advantage of AroundMe to guide you to the nearest restaurant, your hotel room or an ATM.

From searching for the next great artist and finding which stand has the best eats to looking for a place to unwind after a long hot day, these apps will help take the Fest experience to the next level. So get out there and enjoy the music.