Shambhala Music Festival has become quite an annual staple, especially amongst some of the locals here in the Toronto bass scene. During my first year, I went solo and brought back wondrous tales of a magical faraway land, over in Salmo, British Columbia. Now having gone through my third year (in a row), I swell up inside as I watch more and more friends make the trek across Canada, and lose their minds to what can only be properly experienced firsthand.
Last year’s spectacle is known not only for marking the festival’s 20th annual celebration, but also its now-infamous wildfire situation which was simultaneously occurring nearby. I believe it’s safe to say that this year was FAR more lax than the previous one—tickets for this year sold out much, much later than last year’s record (which was less than 24 hours). Also, at the multiple stages, there was (generally) free room to wiggle through and dance anywhere, even right up at the front of the stage. Of course, there were exceptions to this. One such example is Rezz, mainly due to the wildfires forcing her to miss her 2017 set, thus making up for it this year. Some who caught her monumental set this year claimed that she “won Shambhala”.
It’s a week(end)-long tale
Shambhala as a whole is labelled as a music festival (from Friday to Monday), yet it’s so, SO much more than just that. The camping aspect alone, which starts as early as the Tuesday prior to the festival, turns the farm into a small community, where people go all-out and set up camp in the most creative ways. These range from massive jungle gyms, to tents projecting dazzling lights/various holograms, as well as a few mini-stages scattered throughout the farm when the main stages weren’t in operation. The latter cases were constantly being shut down by security guards on ATVs outside of Friday-Sunday, though.
A significant portion of the time, good vibes prevailed above all else on the farm. Should there be something wrong for whatever reason, there’s always someone within earshot willing to help out in any way that they can—regardless of being an attendee, staff/crew member, artist, or volunteer.
As a perfect example, the very laptop I used to type this article came with me to Shambhala; however, I was set up in a very dusty region, which caused it to malfunction and refuse to turn on. Google (on my phone) told me that it may be upwards of a few hundred dollars to repair, issue-dependent. Yet, one of the techs on-site took a look for me, and after an hour of trying various methods of repair, it sprung back to life! (I didn’t touch it again until I returned to the city.) That example was but one of many happy tales that took place that week(end), which also included a heartwarming wedding of two lovers who met at Shamb the year before.
There’s always something to do, see, and experience around every corner, and sitting next to almost any stranger is likely to spark up a conversation about anything on your/their mind at that particular moment.
The adventure adds to the experience
Getting there is no walk in the park – once you turn off the main road, it’s a long, slow, winding and dusty drive uphill, before actually reaching the farm. My buddies and I flew in to Kelowna, and drove a rental 4 hours east to the destination. The BC scenery along the way was breathtaking, and we arrived just as the sun had set for the day.
The locals can easily tell who’s in town for Shambhala, and some will go on to start a conversation about it, if not share their experiences if they’ve been in the past. For the first-timers especially, this helps bolster the anticipation. Throw in a week(end) of camping in the mountains underneath the Milky Way, and it’s a journey you’ll want to make over and over again.
The people
Each year I come back from Shamb, I feel so loved beyond what I could have possibly imagined, thanks to the countless acts of heartfelt intentions shared throughout the week. Hugs are the main source of greeting on the farm, commonly accompanied with a “Happy Shambs/Shamb/Shambhala”. Regardless of whether it was a hug, fist bump, solid eye contact, or all three simultaneously, I not only felt the person before me, but also my soul resonating with theirs. There’s a much higher inclination to be open and expressive about who you really are and wish to become, knowing that no matter who you present your true self as, you’ll be loved and accepted by those around you without judgment. Small acts of kindness also run rampant, from one stranger newfound friend to the next, to help spread the smiles and love throughout the farm.
Stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is also much easier. Over the years, it’s helped me let go of (most of) my social anxieties, and I find myself having much more thorough conversations with near everybody I come across in life. On our last day, my buddies and I went by the river one last time to chill and play some proper tunes. One woman came up to me, stepped out of her shell, and asked if I could dance with her to one of the songs. I was moved by the gesture, and happily agreed—we danced for about a minute before the song ended, yet it’s a moment I’ll never forget down by the riverside.
It’s the little things
The people of Shambhala themselves are very meticulous – hiding treats/surprises for others to find in unexpected places, while paying attention to the gestures and small details in what they/others say, do, and interact with. Artists also go much harder with their Shambhala sets, and the staff, crew, and volunteers are seen doing everything they can to ensure that the whole operation is running as smoothly as possible at all times. This also applies to the way the environment around us is taken care of.
I’ve tolerated stepping on countless cups, beer cans, and endless amounts of sticky substances (let’s assume alcohol) on the dance floor, both at clubs and other festivals alike. At Shamb, it’s so refreshing watching “everyone” pick up any form of garbage, and dispose of it in the nearest trash/recycling receptacle. It happens so frequently, that there generally isn’t much, if any, left for others to pick up, ensuring that the farm remains as clean and pristine as possible. I’m pretty sure that the farm animals that live on the ranch the rest of the year really appreciate our efforts.
I could go on and on abut the different aspects of Shambhala that make it absolutely wonderful, yet the official 2018 aftermovie below perfectly captures what I could not.
For those seriously considering buying a ticket, I encourage and implore you to do so, and attend at least once. Each year has been a life-changing experience for me; watching more and more friends make the journey out West each year makes it all the more magical.
