With another year of Shambhala in the books, it is easy to get nostalgic over the happiness and good times experienced over the weekend. In its 18th year, Shambhala Music Festival located in British Columbia, Canada, ran smoothly and successfully for the masses of loving and inspiring people who flooded the Salmo River Ranch over August 7th – 10th. Truly leaving its mark as a special place in festival culture, it is difficult not to be awed by the percentage of good, fun-loving people amongst such a large crowd.
While fans got to experience stellar headliners such as Pretty Lights, GRiZ, Skrillex, Datsik and Excision, there was also a plethora of lesser known, quality artists from all facets of bass music. Friday night featured the Dirtybird Records takeover at the Pagoda Stage where acts such as Friend Within, J. Phlip, and Claude VonStroke threw down bass-heavy, trippy sets that solidified the label’s takeover as the liveliest party of the weekend. Later in the night, acts such as Geode and Griff blessed the Grove Stage with their soothing dubstep and glitch-hop rhythms.
On Saturday, Koan Sound got the party started in a big way at the infamous Village Stage just before contemporary bass music pioneer, Dave Tipper (aka Tipper), melted the Grove Stage with the aid of visual guru, Android Jones. In the wee hours of the morning, Synkro blew minds, showcasing a perfectly crafted spectrum of tempos, sounds, and emotions. At last, Canadian native Attya threw down a marathon “sunrise set” with his bouncy, mystic sounds.
The last day of the festival went out with a bang. US-bred Jauz turned heads at the Fractal Forest, as Asa performed an ethereal set at the Biodome, which housed the many workshops of the weekend. With only hours left before sunrise, Biome battered the Grove with his vicious, dancefloor-ready bangers. Next, Jafu wielded his deep, groovy dubstep beats as the sun crept up early Monday morning.
While the wide variety of quality music is truly astonishing, Shambhala is most unique in its abundancy of fun costumes, welcoming hugs, and clever porta-potty art. It is difficult to ignore the friendliness and love that oozes from all at Salmo River Ranch during this time of year. Perhaps it is the beautiful location that draws beautiful people; perhaps it is the Canadian factor. Regardless, Shambhala Music Festival is an ideal gathering for people who care as much about good people as they do about the music.
VIEW MORE SHAMBHALA 2015 PHOTOS
VIEW SOME MORE SHAMBHALA MUSIC FESTIVAL PHOTOS