Some Feelings & Photos From Shambhala Festival

Some Feelings & Photos From Shambhala Festival

After 20 years the family-run festival just knows how to do it right.

All words and photos by @ariana_visuals.

Nestled in the Kootenay mountains approximately nine hours from Vancouver, Shambhala Music Festival’s 20th Anniversary ticked all the boxes for a world-class festival experience. As one of British Columbia’s longest running music festivals, it has remained family owned and run for its 20 year duration, free from corporate sponsorship.

shambhala festival ari yeung 02

shambhala festival ari yeung 03

This long-ingrained family festival culture was evident from the warm welcome I received at the entry to the hand-painted signs stating common sense (but often neglected) sentiments such as “Take Care of One Another” and “Consent is Sexy”. Enthusiastic greetings of “Happy Shambs!” were heard echoing over the trees as strangers became friends. Everywhere you looked, it was obvious that Shambhala cares about the well-being of their guests, and this caring attitude has certainly influenced how attendees treat and interact with one another. Despite the constant threat of rampant wildfires burning nearby and an early evacuation warning, the organisers did everything in their power to ensure everyone’s experience remained optimal and above all, safe.

shambhala festival ari yeung 04

shambhala festival ari yeung 05

shambhala festival ari yeung 07

Perhaps most interesting of all for an event of 15,000 people, Shambhala is alcohol free - you cannot buy a beer over a bar (fresh coconuts and Yerba Mate energy drinks anyone?). Lack of alcohol equates to a distinct lack of fighting douchebags, hangovers and urine covering the toilet seats which I definitely wasn’t complaining about. Harm minimisation also extended to having a Sanctuary Space available for those who may not have a medical emergency, but just might want somewhere quiet and not overwhelming to chill out for awhile. There was also professional drug testing available on site with detailed reports displayed daily, advising attendees on what to avoid. While drugs (apart from cannabis) are not legal in BC, and Shambhala doesn't endorse the use of illicit substances, it was refreshing and eye-opening to see an organisation taking a proactive approach to what is a relevant and urgent issue within global electronic music festival culture.

shambhala festival ari yeung 08

shambhala festival ari yeung 11

shambhala festival ari yeung 12

The calibre of booked acts, stage performers and scale of production again solidified why Shambhala remains at the top of many attendee and artist bucket lists. Nothing can beat being baptised in thundering bass from the PK sound stacks in the Fractal Forest to the chunky beats of Stickybuds, Marten Horger and The Stanton Warriors whilst standing in the pouring rain and staring at the carnival happening all around you with a big stupid grin on your face. Other highlights included the monster impromptu b2b featuring Fixate, Sam Binga, Shield, Greazus and Taal Mala, Calyx & Teebee’s tearing down the Village stage with frenetic drum and bass, Ivy Lab’s wonky half-time genius, the cinematic sounds of Phaelah and French producer CloZee at The Grove stage.

I don’t really think anything I write can do this festival justice, so I will let the photos do the talking!

shambhala festival ari yeung 13

shambhala festival ari yeung 14

shambhala festival ari yeung 16

shambhala festival ari yeung 17

shambhala festival ari yeung 18

shambhala festival ari yeung 19

shambhala festival ari yeung 20

shambhala festival ari yeung 22

shambhala festival ari yeung 23

shambhala festival ari yeung 26

shambhala festival ari yeung 28

shambhala festival ari yeung 29

shambhala festival ari yeung 30

shambhala festival ari yeung 31

shambhala festival ari yeung 32

shambhala festival ari yeung 33

shambhala festival ari yeung 34

shambhala festival ari yeung 36

shambhala festival ari yeung 37

shambhala festival ari yeung 38

shambhala festival ari yeung 42

shambhala festival ari yeung 43

shambhala festival ari yeung 44

shambhala festival ari yeung 46

shambhala festival ari yeung 47

shambhala festival ari yeung 48

shambhala festival ari yeung 49

shambhala festival ari yeung 52

shambhala festival ari yeung 54

shambhala festival ari yeung 55

shambhala festival ari yeung 58

Follow Shambhala: FACEBOOK / WEBSITE

Close
-->