Jul 25, 2023
Canada’s largest music festival has been on my bucket list for years, and I finally got the chance to attend its 2023 edition. Shambhala Music Festival is a camping music festival that features mostly EDM artists and is held annually on the Salmo River Ranch in southern BC.
What sets Shambs apart from other camping fests is its zero alcohol policy, drug testing & harm reduction education onsite, music until sunrise, established grounds, and river access. For almost 25 years, the fest has called the farm home, and the stages are a part of the property.
You can view our 2023 lineup post and ticket info here.
HARM REDUCTION
I’ve been attending EDM events for over ten years and have always been passionate about harm reduction vs. abstinence. Like it or not, drugs are a part of rave culture, and pretending they aren’t is downright dangerous. I could go on about the epic failure that is the War On Drugs campaign, but I’ll save that for another time.
It was a breath of fresh air to attend an event that doesn’t try to sweep drug use under the rug and instead encourages attendees to be smart. I spoke with many people who visited the Ankors tent to get their substances checked, and as the weekend went on, the display screen outside showed various pills and what was tested in them as well as tips and tricks to partying responsibly. I also noticed a major shift without alcohol present at the festival, causing me to wonder what the most harmful substance really is.
Sober guests are also welcomed and embraced. There is a camp for those seeking to attend the event and not partake in substances.
I had to visit the med tent when I busted my toe on a river rock, and everyone there was very kind and well-informed. Attached to the med tent was The Sanctuary, a chill-out space for those who might need a quiet and safe place to recollect themselves.
THE GROUNDS
The Salmo River Ranch has been Shambhala’s home for almost 25 years, and there is something very special about an event that has been able to form those kinds of roots. The energy from years past is palpable as soon as you set foot onto the Farm. Attendees also feel a deep level of respect for the river and the land, and polluting is strongly discouraged.
The Salmo River has a strong current, and caution is necessary. There are pockets of deep water to jump in and swim, but it was mostly wading height this year. I got two days out of my raft before it punctured while floating down the river (worth it!). The weekend’s temperatures were in the 90’s (32° C) every day, and the sun was relentless, so I spent a good chunk of the daylight hours lounging by the river
THE STAGES
Music at Shambhala is spread across seven stages, each with its own vibe and genre of EDM.
With music going until 6 or 7 AM, I quickly learned that energy conservation is vital. Sets start on Thursday with only the Amp and Living Room stages open, and both were crowded on Thursday night. The Living Room backs up into the Salmo River, with speakers pointed out for those chilling in the water. I chose to wander and go to bed semi-early on Thursday as we awaited the main stages to open on Friday.
On Friday at 4:30 PM, the Fractal Forest and the rest of the stages opened. Stepping into that space for the first time was a feeling I will never forget. The Fractal Forest stage is 360° and is surrounded by trees and nooks to hang and vibe. The Village Stage features towering pillars that come alive at night and a balcony that provides an exquisite view. Pagoda is set on an ornamental building perfect for projection mapping and has the most lasers of all the stages. The Grove offers raised platforms and more trees to vibe out in. The Meadow Stage is tucked away at the far end of the grounds near walk-in camping and is surrounded by more trees. The Rabbit Hole is the smallest of all the stages and feels like a lounge, complete with cushioned seats.
THE MUSIC
Trying to balance sunrise sets with very little sleeping time in a hot tent meant I missed many of the daytime sets. Next time I will opt for camping that offers shade, although I was able to catch a few hammock naps near the river.
GRiZ’s Fractal Forest set on Saturday was my favorite of the weekend, but I empathize with those who didn’t have a great time. The stage was packed 30 minutes before his set, and I was told that the sound was not great due to the crowded space. I arrived an hour early to see A.Skillz’s set, who went on before GRiZ. From my vantage point, I didn’t notice any issues with the sound. GRiZ played several new tracks and many old ones; it was the perfect mix of funky and glitchy.
Of The Trees’ sunrise set was a whole vibe from my hammock at The Grove Stage. Exhaustion won out during that set, but it was all worth it. His nighttime set at Pagoda on Sunday also blew me away as I was mesmerized by the projection mapping and jellyfish totem nearby.
Defunk’s sunrise set at Pagoda was the last set I caught of the weekend and the one I had been most looking forward to. I have been listening to his Shambhala mixes for years, and as a Canadian himself, he always throws down. Grabbitz had to bail last minute, so Zeds Dead and Defunk got extended set times.
Other honorable mentions: The Funk Hunters, Stickybuds, Burchill’s Shambhala debut, K+Lab, Sickick, Dirtwire, Lazy Syrup, Wreckno, A.Skillz, The Sponges, Def3, and SkiiTour.
WORKSHOPS
Shambhala’s workshop program was the same each day and included Yoga, Chakra Balancing, Belly Dancing, Shuffling, Flow Arts, and more. I started with 10 AM yoga each day, followed by a dip in the river and then a nap in my hammock. I also caught one of the Hoop Classes later at night. I am used to more programming at other fests, but there’s just too much to do to catch more than one class a day.
VENDORS
Downtown features a whole market “street” for craft vendors to sell their wares, and I walked away with more than a few treasures. Some recognizable brands were Noralina Freedom, Third Eye Pinecones, and Grassroots. One vendor was selling unique, one-of-a-kind vintage items.
The food vendors were some of the best I have ever experienced at a music festival. The chicken caesar wrap was a delicious snack on hot days, and the poutine was great for chilly evenings. Other food vendors include an Indian food stand, crepes, bone broth perogies, pizza, burgers, vegan and vegetarian options, and more. No alcohol vendors meant almost everyone had some tasty juice or tea option.
OTHER NOTES
Getting in and out of Shambhala is a well-known struggle, and I recommend buying a camping package with express entry. My crew opted for early arrival Wednesday, and we still waited in line for 8 hours before we got in, but I heard others waited for up to 14 hours. The festival provided bathrooms and water during the wait.
Leaving Monday at 1 PM was also a mistake, as it took four hours to get out of the camp, plus two more hours at the border crossing. Attendees are allowed to stay until Tuesday at noon.
New for 2023 was electronic payments at the gate. Early entry and car camping passes are purchased at the gate; in previous years, this was cash-only. I still brought Canadian currency, just in case.
It would be wise for first-time attendees to join the Shambhala Facebook Group for tips and tricks.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN?
Yes. Yes, I would. Even though Shambhala is not for the casual festivalgoer, the prep work and perseverance make for a truly satisfying experience. I had an amazing time and will 100% be attending Shambhala again. See you on the Farm!
