Coming off a successful 18th year in production, the internationally acclaimed Shambhala Music Festival delivered an inspired mix of music and magic to the scenic Salmo River Ranch in British Columbia over the course of four mystical days.

For one weekend a year, the sold out festival transforms into the largest city in the West Kootenay region with more than 11,000 festival vets and first timers in attendance. Shambhala has become Canada’s premiere destination for electronic music featuring a stacked and diverse lineup of EDM heavy hitters ranging across multiple genres, including a surprise mystery set from Canada’s own Zeds Dead.

Showcasing more than 300 eclectic artists, Shambhala is made up of six uniquely curated stages that merge the natural beauty of the land with stunning hand­crafted architecture. At the Pagoda, fans were treated to an impeccable lineup of EDM’s biggest names like Pretty Lights, Thomas Jack, Mija, Destructo, Griz, MK, Bakermat, Kygo and a Dirtybird takeover featuring Claude VonStroke, Shiba San and the rest of the Dirtybird squad. Bassheads flocked to the Village stage for Skrillex, Ill.Gates, Datsik, KOAN Sound, Big Gigantic, Excision, Camo & Krooked, Sunday’s Hip Hop Showcase headlined by Grouch & Eligh with AMP Live and the mesmerizing avant­garde circus troupe, Lucent Dossier Experience, gave an emotionally immersive performance.

In the Fractal Forest, festival goers were treated to an audiovisual feast and bouncy electro sets from Stickybuds, Jillionaire of Major Lazer, Mix Master Mike, AMTRAC, DJ Zinc, JAUZ, Fort Knox Five, Rich­e-Rich, and the Fractal Funk Jam with the Smalltown DJs ­ a Shambhala favorite! The thoughtful creation of the festival’s newest stage, the Grove, paired beautifully with live art and music from Bonobo, Tipper with live visuals from Android Jones, Big Wild, Birds of Paradise, Rising Appalachia and Diamond Saints while the Amphitheater hosted LongWalkShortDock, David Starfire, Morillo, Mr. Carmack, Ana Sia, jOBOT plus G-Jones back to back with Bleep Bloop and Jackal.

During the day, fans could take a dip in the Salmo River to cool off while enjoying music from The Living Room nestled nearby, which included sets from Coyote Kisses, BC Dubcats, Breakfluid, Rob Paine, a second set from Tipper and the opening and closing ceremony by JoaqoPelli, touching hearts and sharing ancient whispers with his double shamanic flute. With a multitude of workshops and movement classes, festival goers could expand their minds by attending courses on Permaculture or Self Love at the BioDome followed by a yoga course on the lush farm grass.

Sitting at the crossroads of dance music and conscious culture, Shambhala Music Festival’s stacked lineup, unique atmosphere and permanent farm grounds paved the way for an intimate experience that satiates wanderlust and your festival bucket list.

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