Sssh! Listen carefully and you might just hear the whispers—softly spoken but growing in number: “Shambala, Shambala.”
The UK festival scene has exploded in the last 10 years, with more events than ever before to chose from, but one gathering in particular has artists, crew and guests reaching for the superlatives: Shambala Festival.
Originating at the turn of the millennium from the Africa Jam and Jibbering Records collective, it has quietly grown into one of the festival circuits’ best kept secrets.
A decade-long policy of making journalists pay their way has led to rave reviews in Britain’s most respected broadsheets, and scarcely a mention elsewhere. Regularly changing the location, which is revealed each year only on ticket purchase, has also done much to keep the festival in the hands and hearts of “those who know.”
This emphasis on substance over style has helped to keep the character of the original gatherings intact, despite crowds swelling to at least 10,000 in recent years. As early as 2005 well-travelled performers were remarking that the festival “vibe” was reminiscent of early Glastonbury–how Glastonbury Festival used to be.
Maintaining this welcoming and broad-spirited atmosphere has always taken precedence over enlisting high-profile musicians, and the full line up is never released before the event. But with over 200 acts across eight stages there is definitely plenty to choose from. Look out this year for Fool’s Gold, described as “an awesome and unique fusion of Congolese Soukous, Ethiopian soul, Malian blues, Cuban conga and Californian sun soaked rock sensibilities.”
It has also been revealed that hip hop MC Chali 2na, of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli fame, will be performing live with Breakestra, one of the finest funk bands around.
Shambala Festival has always prided itself on the care taken over environmental concerns, and has been the recipient of several awards in this area. Since 2008 a publicly available Environmental Operations Manual has been implemented, following a comprehensive Carbon Footprint Analysis conducted by the Centre For Alternative Technology.
It has pioneered the hugely popular Cycle To Shambala initiative, which offers free guided cycle rides to the event from six major cities. This year, the festival will also be the largest in the UK to run entirely on wind, sun and vegetable oil power. Other forward-thinking measures include on-site meetings held each year, where festival-goers can discuss how to further improve environmental practice.
But with the equally serious job of partying, at Shambala Saturday night is the big one – the legendary fancy dress carnival. Practically everyone joins in, and the range and extravagance of costumes is extraordinary.
As well as the main stages there are more intimate music venues, like Sankofa’s – a cosy giant yurt presenting the roots and shoots of acoustic folk, African, Indian, jazz and classical music. Sankofa is an ancient symbol of the Akan people from Ghana, which teaches us to look to our past for guidance and inspiration.
The Craft Village will this year be focusing on metal work, The Healing Fields will have their own meadow on the other side of the lake, and firm favourite The Wilderness Woodlands returns, with various art installations displayed among the trees.
The UK festival scene has exploded in the last 10 years, with more events than ever before to chose from, but one gathering in particular has artists, crew and guests reaching for the superlatives: Shambala Festival.
Originating at the turn of the millennium from the Africa Jam and Jibbering Records collective, it has quietly grown into one of the festival circuits’ best kept secrets.
A decade-long policy of making journalists pay their way has led to rave reviews in Britain’s most respected broadsheets, and scarcely a mention elsewhere. Regularly changing the location, which is revealed each year only on ticket purchase, has also done much to keep the festival in the hands and hearts of “those who know.”
This emphasis on substance over style has helped to keep the character of the original gatherings intact, despite crowds swelling to at least 10,000 in recent years. As early as 2005 well-travelled performers were remarking that the festival “vibe” was reminiscent of early Glastonbury–how Glastonbury Festival used to be.
Maintaining this welcoming and broad-spirited atmosphere has always taken precedence over enlisting high-profile musicians, and the full line up is never released before the event. But with over 200 acts across eight stages there is definitely plenty to choose from. Look out this year for Fool’s Gold, described as “an awesome and unique fusion of Congolese Soukous, Ethiopian soul, Malian blues, Cuban conga and Californian sun soaked rock sensibilities.”
It has also been revealed that hip hop MC Chali 2na, of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli fame, will be performing live with Breakestra, one of the finest funk bands around.
Shambala Festival has always prided itself on the care taken over environmental concerns, and has been the recipient of several awards in this area. Since 2008 a publicly available Environmental Operations Manual has been implemented, following a comprehensive Carbon Footprint Analysis conducted by the Centre For Alternative Technology.
It has pioneered the hugely popular Cycle To Shambala initiative, which offers free guided cycle rides to the event from six major cities. This year, the festival will also be the largest in the UK to run entirely on wind, sun and vegetable oil power. Other forward-thinking measures include on-site meetings held each year, where festival-goers can discuss how to further improve environmental practice.
But with the equally serious job of partying, at Shambala Saturday night is the big one – the legendary fancy dress carnival. Practically everyone joins in, and the range and extravagance of costumes is extraordinary.
As well as the main stages there are more intimate music venues, like Sankofa’s – a cosy giant yurt presenting the roots and shoots of acoustic folk, African, Indian, jazz and classical music. Sankofa is an ancient symbol of the Akan people from Ghana, which teaches us to look to our past for guidance and inspiration.
The Craft Village will this year be focusing on metal work, The Healing Fields will have their own meadow on the other side of the lake, and firm favourite The Wilderness Woodlands returns, with various art installations displayed among the trees.
