The Shambhala 2019 festival has come to an end and I’m still in complete elation from the thoroughly pleasing adventure. A little rain on Saturday and Sunday couldn’t stop me or any of the other Shambhalans from turning it up as high as you could possibly imagine. For my second year in a row attending the festival, I came in knowing exactly what to expect and was literally the most prepared I’ve ever been to camp from Thursday-Monday.
With my photographer in tow, we drove down into the farm and went on the grand search to capture the true magic of this one-of-a-kind festival. Last year I was only at the festival for half the time I was this year, so my goal was to dip my fingers into a little bit of everything. There are so many different aspects of my experience that came together in an ultimately pleasing way, despite inclement weather trying to offer muddy hindrances. From the staff, to the grounds, camping, artists, stages, and festival-goers, there’s something worth commending with each.
Amidst all of the fun, I was able to accomplish a lot more than I was able to last year in the realm of networking professionally and interviewing important staff and artists. In combination with having my photographer along for his first Shambhala experience, I felt responsible for setting him up for success. We were able to come together and really take this festival by storm (pun intended.) Here is a breakdown of my overall time spent on the farm in Salmo this year for the 22nd version of the number one fan rated festival in the world.
Shambhala 2019 Festival Recap
Arrival
I made a point of getting to the Shambhala 2019 festival the same way I went last year. Heading straight up i-5 to cross the border, then heading directly east through the mountains. Also making sure to make the trip during the daytime so I could soak in all the beautiful scenery on the way there. We made a stop in Abbotsford at Cannabis Kings to pick up a sizable amount of kush. Among the four eighths I grabbed, I was able to snag some of Canada’s extremely popular Pink Kush strain that was a real crowd-pleaser.
When we got to the farm Thursday it was around
Camping
I didn’t camp last year, and I felt like I was really missing out on a crucial aspect of the festival experience. By Friday our little spot way out by the exit was filled to the brim with smiling neighbors. We had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with five different groups surrounding us. While one group was also from Seattle, the rest came from all over, including Australia, Florida, and rural Canada. This festival truly brings in people from all over the world to partake in the festivities.
Each morning and several afternoons we spent quality time with our neighbors sharing laughs, utensils any of us may have forgotten that the other had, and collectively got ready to rage through the night. An incredibly nice couple from Alberta even gave our tent shelter under their canopy when the rain came down hard the last two nights.
The morning is also a great time to partake in an art class, yoga session, or other enlightening sessions the festival had to offer. Everyone at this festival is your friend, and the time we spent at our campground and doing daytime activities further proved that you’re surrounded by instant family.
Daytime Tour Of The Grounds/Secret Spots
With a first-timer along for the ride, I made the point to show him around the whole festival grounds while the sun was still shining Friday morning. I had to show my compatriot places like Rabbit Hole, where you can find a small DJ set from a local act running at all times in a little hole filled with couches and beds to chill on. The next important stop was the slide behind the Village stage that leads to a bed of rubber chickens—just remember to tuck left!
Amidst our daytime wanderings, I was able to catch some of the staff securing several stages such as all the wooden structures at the Village. Everything at this festival is well thought out, even to making sure each stage remains structurally sound during all the craziness. You’ll also notice little living room-like set-ups throughout the whole area. The level of detail that goes into making the farm seem magical and alive astounds me every time.
The River
When it was still favorable weather-wise, I knew I had to take a dip in the river. Since the line for the few showers available can get pretty long, this is the perfect alternative to wash off some of the festival grime. The sobering coldness of the river can also sometimes be just what the doctor ordered if you need a little wake-up. On Friday afternoon, I went and had a pleasant swim in the river that kept me clean enough for the remainder of my time at Shambhala 2019.
The Stages
There’s so much to take in at Shambhala, including the six stages that each offer their own unique curation of electronic music. After talking with the founder of the festival, I found out that he gives complete free-reign to the manager of each stage to book whoever they truly want to come see play. In that way, I found that there’s an extra special nature to each performer knowing that the stage manager especially chose them to come tear it up. This year the Village, Pagoda, and Amp stage had me returning a lot to see their killer line-ups.
Shambhala 2019 Media/Press Meet-Up
I look forward to the media/press meet-up because it’s such a great opportunity to find out what everyone else is there to contribute to the festival. Our on-site guy Jake Sherman was so incredibly
Artist Relations Lounge
There’s a sweet spot right in the heart of the farm for artists and press to seek refuge. On Saturday and
I had the pleasure this year of getting to meet several of the dancers performing during sets, and even interview an artist or two. While smoking big weed up in the treehouse within the lounge, I was able to chat on a human level with people from all around the world making big moves with their art.
There was an additional lounge behind the Pagoda stage that I often found a perfect hangout spot. The volume for the stage was perfect for enjoying top notch acts like Black Tiger Sex Machine while talking with artists, and watching Spirited Away up on a projector. I also had the chance to network and chat with a lot of the other people working at the festival.
Food And Artisan Market
In between getting blasted in the face with bass, there are many non-musical attractions to both cloth, feed, and entertain you at Shambhala. Within the “downtown” area of the festival grounds, you’ll find a myriad of vendors selling everything from holographic wall-hangings to handmade clothing, and every kind of food imaginable. This is the perfect place to get that essential piece of festival-wear that you will cherish for festivals yet to come.
The grub you can get literally anytime at Shambhala ranges from burgers, pizza, wraps, and salads, to paninis, pulled pork, and even poutine. On several late nights I found myself indulging in several of these speedy stands or food trucks. You’re never short of options or quality, as the festival hand-picks each of the vendors to boast variety and cater to every pallet.
Best Totems
One of the best aspects of Shambhala aside from your typical highlights and wacky costumes are the totems that the
Some of my favorites said things like “YEET, Full Send/Send It, We’re all mad here, Drink Potion/Level Up, Drop The Bass Or Get Erased, Lisa Needs Braces, GLUTEN, Send Nudes,” and the question cube from Mario Bros.
There’s so much detail that goes into all of these totems that it never fails to impress me. There was even one with a giant eggplant emoji that had a light-up vein throbbing. I was in stitches at the craftsmanship that many Shambhalans put into their elaborate totems.
The Music
When it comes to electronic music I have a bit of a particular taste. Admittedly, I’m not the hugest fan of House music. You’ll notice my tastes leaning a bit more towards the hard dubstep, psychedelic, bass, and trap-influenced artists that were performing. There’s just something about the wobbly bass, glitchy synths, spacey dalliances, and heavy breakdowns from these genres that gets me going at an event like this.
Thursday
On Thursday only the AMP and Living Room stages were open. Shambhala 2019 edition was just heating up. My photographer and I made sure to scope a set or two at each before getting as much rest as we could for the rest of the week. Specifically, I remember really enjoying sets from S2, Tynan, Longwalkshortdock, and Laura Low.
Friday
On Friday things really began and the festival really came alive. We made sure to be present at the opening of the Fractal Forest stage. It was like the kind of bum rush you’d see on Black Friday as festival goers rushed in to the stage when the gates open and immediately began getting down hard as hell. The sets that really left an impression on me Friday were Sticky Buds, Sabo, Noizu, ZHU, Excision, Spag Heddy, and AC Slater.
Saturday
Even though the rain came later on this day, I was still able to really cut loose on some amazing performances. By nightfall the muddy festival grounds were a bit to navigate, but I made it around with my flashlight and got my rage on veritably. My favorite performances from Saturday undoubtedly were DJ Jazzy Jeff, Billy Kenny, Oakk, Dr. Fresch, Triple XL, Jauz, and Phibes.
Sunday
Without a shadow of a doubt, I was looking forward to throwing down as hard as possible Sunday. This was my “fun day” where I got all my interviews done, and wanted to get down and dirty with the rest of the
The best sets I was able to make it to on Sunday had to be TroyBoi, Kll Smth, FKJ, Moontricks, Zbit, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Boogie T, Mad Twinz, Zeds Dead, and the Wakaan Takeover with Liquid Stranger, Champagne Drip, and G-Rex.
I’ll never forget my Shambhala 2019 festival experience. It was truly one of the most enjoyable times of my life and I’ll always hold everyone I met there in a really special place in my heart. Thank you eternally to the staff of the festival for making my return home twice as pleasant as last time.
