Shambhala Announces a Massive 2015 Lineup

Photo Credit: Lefoto

Every year something special arrives in the Kootenai Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. People from around the globe descend upon Salmo for the legendary event known as Shambhala Music Festival. It is my favorite place in the world to be and you can ask anyone who attends this magical place and they will say the exact same thing. They’ve been doing it longer than most of the music festivals you know and they do it the right way. The event has no corporate sponsorship and is privately owned so they listen to what their festivals goers say so they can improve the festival year after year. Even though words can’t accurately describe the way this festival makes me feel, I want to try to do my best to show you why Shambhala holds a special place in many people’s hearts.

Photo Credit: Jeff Cruz
The Atmosphere

The first thing you realize when you reach the farm is that the oranizers of the even care about you. Along the fence as you approach the festival are signs hung that read:

“The Call of Shambhala
SHAMBHALA, known as a peaceful ancient world, tranquil and happy. A utopian society of fearlessness, dignity and compassion. A place where the inherent goodness of everyone is recognized.
Legends say that only the pure of heart enter Shambhala, dancing their life force and connecting with the cosmic power and energy of this phenomenal world.
It is here where love and wisdom reign supreme. The inhabitants are known to wear their finest of styles and possess supernatural powers. Their technological level is highly advanced and their artistic expression visionary. Art wakes us up.
It is the view of Shambhala that every human being has a fundamental nature of goodness. That together, we make a more beautiful world.
It is here where we regain the opportunity to accomplish our dreams, clarify our mind and open our heart. Never give up.
You are home.”

They want you to feel at home and they do a damn good job of it. Whether one of their volunteers is spraying you with water to help cool you down or you are getting a hug from someone you’ve never met before, everyone there cares about you. They’ve even coined the term Shambhalove which is the most accurate description of how everyone feels about the people around them.

You have the freedom to do or be whatever you want to be and everyone will accept you for who you are. No one is judged, no one is ridiculed, rather people support your decision to express yourself in the way that is most natural to you. Because of this you never know what you’re going to see and you’re able to live in the moment and find out more about yourself. If you’re like me, this is a feeling that will stay with you for the rest of your life and that you will spread around wherever you go.

The Music

It doesn’t matter what type of music you listen to because you can find just about any genre at one of Shambhala’s 6 stages. The Pagoda, The Fractal Forest, The Village, The Amphitheater, The Living Room, and The Grove each have their own unique sounds that attract their fans. They bring in some of the biggest acts in the game for their fans to enjoy. This year sees artists like Skrillex, Pretty Lights, Big Gigantic, Camo & Krooked, Mr. Carmack, GTA, and more bringing the bass to the festival attendees. Artists like Excision, Datsik, Terravita and Justin Martin have become staples at this amazing event.

But it’s the local and lesser known DJs that make this event truly special. Mat The Alien, SkiiTour, The Funk Hunters, Smalltown DJs, Stylust Beats, Subvert, JPod, Stickybuds, and many many others always throw down special sets at Shambhala. Shambhala also hosts a hip hop showcase every year having hosted artists like Chali 2na, Zion I, and People Under the Stairs in years past and The Grouch and Eligh this year. You can check out the headliners from this years event below while full stage lineup will start being unveiled on March 30th. But don’t just come for the music, come for the Shambhala experience because it’s like nothing you’ve done before.