The Sherp compiles a list of festivals with visually pleasing environments ripe for indulgence.
(DISCLAIMER : This article is for entertainment purpose only. We do not support or condone the usage of drugs but, to each his own. Peace and love, folks!)
You have probably witnessed people at festivals who you might have just brushed off as being weird but were actually tripping balls. Over-excitement, conspiracy theories, pseudo-intellectual conversations, dancing like they’re possessed are just some of the side effects evident in people on LSD. Lost in their own world of hallucinations and vivid colours, these people are often a source of amusement to other festival goers (which they probably won’t even notice while on their intense, mind altering experience). As Steve Jobs spoke about his experiments, “LSD shows you that there’s another side to the coin, and you can’t remember it when it wears off, but you know it.” Taking all that into consideration, if you do feel inclined to heighten your ‘experience’, we have formed a list of some of the most visually appealing festivals (along with sensational music of course) with extraordinary stages, lights, architecture, performances (and more).
1. Wilderness Festival
(Courtesy : Facebook/Wilderness Festival)
The UK-based Wilderness Festival is a multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, craftsmanship and dining experiences. The festival is set amongst the spring fed lakes, forests and parkland of Oxfordshire’s, Cornbury Estate, a world-class, 800-year old deer park encircled by a ribbon of ornamental lakes and surrounded by 1,700 acres of the most ancient forest in Britain today. With open fires and candlelight complementing the live music in the evenings, this is truly a beautiful festival.
2. The Secret Garden Party
(Courtesy : Facebook/The Secret Garden Party)
The Secret Garden Party is an annual independent arts and music festival held in Abbots Ripton near Huntingdon in England. Launched by Fred Fellowes in 2004, the location is on part of the grounds of a Georgian farm house and has its own lake, river and landscaped gardens. Conceptualized as an alternative to the established mainstream music festivals it has increased greatly in popularity and size featuring (except great music) camping, feasts, game arenas, a crafts village, paint fights, grand fireworks displays and more resulting in an absolute audio-visual treat.
3. Nuits Sonores
(Courtesy : rtl.fr)
Nuits Sonores is a 5 day French festival entirely dedicated to electronic, independent, visual and digital cultures. Till date over 250 locations in Lyon have been used and redesigned including art galleries, industrial wastelands, rooftops and even swimming pools. This encourages the public to explore and discover the festival by foot, bike or using public transport. Music, design, graphic arts and architecture are intimately connected and showcased which would be interesting to explore while you trip.
4. Parvati Peaking
(Courtesy : Facebook/Parvati Peaking)
Named after the goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife (according to Hindu mythology), the Parvati Peaking festival is held in Parvati Valley located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is considered one of the largest Psy Trance festivals in India with the biggest names in the genre performing in the midst of gorgeous lights and nature.
5. AfrikaBurn
(Courtesy : afrikaburn.com)
AfrikaBurn is a community of participants who come together to create art, burning structures, costume, performance, theme camps, music, mutant vehicles and much, much more. All of this is created in Tankwa Karoo, an arid semi-desert area located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa by volunteers. Except ice, nothing is sold at the festivals meaning there are no vendors, advertising or branding and only a limited number of tickets available (all for free). AfrikaBurn believes in decommodification and a sense of community which is completely in contrast to most festivals.
6. Enchanted Forest Gathering
(Courtesy : Facebook/Enchanted Forest Gathering/Jazzwall Arts)
A Tribal/Magical themed festival, the Enchanted Forest gathering is held at the Black Oak Ranch in California. Based off of Wiccan traditions, the festival attempts to bring back the peace and nature loving culture back to life. One of the things that makes this festival stand out is the lack of alcohol as they believe it clouds the senses from the joy that can be naturally derived from the magical setting.
7. Stonehenge Summer Solstice Festival
(Courtesy : bbc.co.uk)
The Summer Solstice Festival held at the ancient Stonehenge, is an annual 4 day camping, food, beer, cider and light music festival. Complete with costumed Druids performing rituals, campfires, all night live music performances and soothing scenery, the Stonehenge festival is one of a kind.
8. Ozora
(Courtesy : Facebook/Ozora Festival Official)
The Ozora festival is a 7 day Psychedelic Tribal Gathering in Dadpuszta, Hungary. There are some amazingly designed stages with eye catching lights and even a decorated Psychedelic Tree to gather under. The festivals aims to create a playground where people can once again bind their “cosmic energies, with nature, with consciousness, with wholeness through dance, trance, creation, invention, transformation and peace.”
9. Universo Paralello
(Courtesy : Facebook/Universo Paralello Festival)
The Universo Paralello Festival is one of the biggest festivals of art, music and alternative culture of South America, with several day’s duration, and always at New Year’s time. The festival takes place in Pratigi, a hidden oasis, lost between the popular beaches of southern and south of Bahia.
10. Hill Top
(Courtesy : Facebook/Hill Top Festival)
The Hill Top Festival in goa has been gaining popularity over the past 4 years amongst Psy trance lovers. Reminiscent of the remnants of the Hippie culture that once dominated Goa, the festival features great artists in the Psy Trance, Chill, and from this year Techno, genres. performances in the evening are often coupled with live pyrotechnic and light shows.