For musical souls looking for a getaway that digresses from mainstream music festivals, meet Shambala and Shambhala, two vastly eclectic music destinations with a ton of pleasantries to offer. The Sherp is here to help you determine which Shamb(h)ala is the perfect soirée for you.
For festivals that sound so alike, Shambala, to be held on August 27-30 and Shambhala, which recently wrapped up in the first week of August, are quite different. They both do cater to wanderlust driven souls but the core essence of both is distinctively unique. Shambala is a more family friendly, sunshine-bathed, colourful event. While Shambhala with the ‘h’ is a five-day trip full of wilderness, music and self-discoveries, though not unsuitable for children, ideal for seekers of a nature engulfed, bohemian escape.
Here are a few things that will help you decide which festival is ideal for you.
The music:
Genre eclecticism v/s Electronic idiosyncrasy
Shambala prides itself in its wonderfully genre eclectic lineups that feature some of the best underground acts, be it hip/hop, folk, drum & bass and more. There is always something for everyone, which further reinforces their concept of togetherness. View their artists for this year’s edition here.
Via: Shambala Facebook
Shambhala, on the other hand, is an underground electronic music lover’s paradise. Known for featuring soem of the most skilled Dj’s and electronic acts from around the world, Shambhala has established itself as a staple event for the West Coast underground electronic music scene. Check their 2015 lineup out here.
Via: shambhalamusicfestival.com
The vibe:
Festive flamboyance v/s Engulfing freedom
Shambala‘s focus, unlike its Canadian counterpart, is not on the music. The greatness of Shambala is distributed equally amongst several immersive aspects of the festival. It aims to offer a well-rounded getaway, with costume extravaganzas and whatnot, inducing smiles and laughter in their attendees. With a number of live entertainment performances and family activities, Shambala is a happy and essentially joyful event.
Via: Shambala Facebook
One of the bets things about Shambhala is that it aims to redefine what a ‘rave’ is supposed to look like. As the website says, “This mission is important to hold down as electronic dance music culture moves into the mainstream where threatened large corporations and production budgets threaten to water it down.” This does refers to their lack of advertisements or sponsorship logos, but also speaks to us about how the extravagance at mainstream EDM events is frivolous and not necessary to enjoy the music. The Shambhala vibe is green, free and ready for you to lose/find yourself as you please.
Via: shambhalamusicfestival.com
The camping:
Portable luxury v/s Breathing in the wild
Shambala offers its attendees various luxury camping options. Given that numerous families make a holiday of the festival, these luxury packages provide all the accommodations necessary and more for a family. These packages include various creative camping options such as tipis, yurts, bell tents, Hobbit houses in the woods and, new for this year, Camplight.
Via: Shambala Facebook
Whereas Shambhala‘s camping options are relatively more au naturel and unrestricted. You can carry your own tent and set it up anywhere on the given campsites free of cost. That pretty much sums it up, find out more here.
Via: musicfestivaljunkies.com
The people:
Festival family v/s Free love
Shambala is as buoyant as it is intimate. Earthy and organic in essence, the people of Shambala are amicable and greet you with open arms. Shambala also includes a support group called ‘Shambaholics’, to help people who have a history with substance stay on the wagon and talk about their difficulties resisting temptation while at the event.
Via: Shambala Facebook
The people you find at Shambhala Music Festival are so diverse than you’d come across at other EDM festivals. Instead of loud and obnoxious, you have engrossed and amiable. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that the festival demands a sort of complacent, free-spirited state of mind, and all those who attend it, are looking for a peaceful getaway, knowing that they will find it here.
Via: shambhalamusicfestival.com
The location:
Quiescent countryside v/s Scenic river ranch
Shambala takes place across four days on the August Bank Holiday Weekend at a stunning secret location in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside. Captivatingly beautiful and blissfully quiet, this makes for a near-perfect location for the authentic festival.
Via: Shambala Facebook
Shambhala is held on a farm land surrounded by forests and hidden away in the Salmo River Valley in the West Kootenay region of Southern British Columbia, Canada. This is also a massive advantage because the Buschuh family, curators of the festival, owns the farm, therefore, set up permanent stages, making them practically immaculate. In terms of sound and view, these are the most attendee-friendly stages out there.
Via: Jeff Cruz/Shambhala Music Festival
Also check out: Shambhala v/s Burning Man & Why Shambhala Is Every Backpacker’s Dream