Hangout Fest technically starts off Friday, but the fun actually gets going Thursday afternoon at the annual Kick Off Party. This years’ party will be bigger and better than last years’ – expanding to 10 bands on two stages and double the amount of tickets available. And they’ve got some impressive names on the line-up like the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Looks like pre-gaming Hangout just became a “must do” part of the Fest experience.

Hangout Music Fest Kick Off Party
WHEN: 2 p.m. Thursday, May 17
COST: $18 day of show, free for Super VIP and Big Kahuna ticket holders
DETAILS: hangoutmusicfest.com

Hangout Music Fest Kick Off Party Schedule

—Xbox Stage—

The Revivalists
2:30-3 p.m.

Nobody Beats The Drum
3:45-4:45 p.m.

Perpetual Groove
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Boombox
7:15-8:45 p.m.

Big Gigantic
9:30-11:00 p.m.

—BP Kids Stage—

Tauk
2:30-3:30 p.m.

The Kingston Springs
4-5 p.m.

Delta Rae
5:45-6:45 p.m.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band
7:30-8:45 p.m.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band
9:30-11 p.m.

ZNi (INSIDE)
11-11:30 p.m.

Zoogma (inside)
11:30 p.m.-1 a.m.