Written by: Sam Paige and Sage Farley
The sand was warm, the sunsets were golden, and the country music was louder than ever. The very first Sand in My Boots Fest presented by Morgan Wallen, took over Gulf Shores, Alabama, from May 16–18, 2025, transforming the iconic Hangout Fest site into a sun-soaked celebration of country music as opposed to Hangout Fest’s typical multi-genre lineup. This shift seemed to be a hit, as the festival sold all 40,000 tickets in just 2 hours!
This year’s lineup leaned heavily on country, but did feature a few artists that strayed from the bunch, all handpicked by Morgan Wallen himself. The three-day event featured:
Headliners: Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, and HARDY
Country Stars: Riley Green, Bailey Zimmerman, Chase Rice, ERNEST, Ella Langley, Ian Munsick, Paul Cauthen, and more
Hip-Hop Icons: T-Pain, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, Three 6 Mafia, Moneybagg Yo
Indie & Rock Acts: 3 Doors Down, The War on Drugs, Future Islands, Real Estate, Wild Nothing
Surprise Guests: Randy Houser and Ella Langley joined Riley Greene on Stage, and Bailey Zimmerman and ERNEST joined Wallen on stage for an unforgettable performance of their collaborative songs
🏖️ Festival Essentials: What to Pack for Sand in My Boots
Planning to attend next year? Here’s your ultimate packing list to ensure you’re festival-ready:
Comfortable Footwear: Think cowboy boots or sandals—something you can dance in on the sand.
Sun Protection: Hats, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen are a must. Vacation Sunscreen was on site handing out mini whipped sunscreens which was amazing to reapply throughout the day.
Hydration Gear: Reusable water bottles to stay refreshed. They had free refill stations onsite, so bringing a refillable bottle is a must unless you want to spend all your money on water.
Beachwear: Swimsuits for daytime lounging. The appropriate attire for this festival is beach attire. You can wear additional clothing if you feel fit, but you may be over dressed, the standard attire seems to be a bikini and coverup or shorts. For the guys it was swim trunks or running shorts.
Portable Charger: Keep your devices powered for photos and social sharing. Do make note there is limited phone service unless you are one of the lucky few with a provider with a tower nearby. Of the three phones we had, only one had working service.
Festival Passes & ID: Don’t forget your wristbands and identification.
Card: For food, merchandise, and spontaneous adventures. This was a cashless festival, so be sure to bring a card, everywhere was taking apple pay as well though.
🌊 Sand in My Boots vs. Hangout Fest: A New Era
The transition from Hangout Fest to Sand in My Boots marked a significant shift in Gulf Shores’ festival scene. While Hangout Fest was known for its eclectic mix of genres and artists, Sand in My Boots brought a more curated, country-centric experience. Some fans expressed nostalgia for the diversity of Hangout Fest, noting a preference for its broader musical offerings . However, the unique blend of country, hip-hop, and indie music at Sand in My Boots attracted a new wave of festival-goers, eager to experience Morgan Wallen’s vision come to life. It will be interesting to see how the festival continues going forward, if it remains Sand in My Boots or reverts back to Hangout Fest.
🌅 Looking Ahead
As the sun set on the first Sand in My Boots Fest, fans left with sandy feet, full hearts, and anticipation for what’s to come. With Morgan Wallen’s upcoming “I’m The Problem Tour” kicking off in June 2025, featuring artists like Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, and Thomas Rhett , the momentum from this festival is sure to carry into the tour, promising even more unforgettable moments for country music fans.
Until next year, keep your boots ready and your spirits high!