Every year Shambhala Music Festival is respite from the everyday grind for so many people. This year is no different. The lineup is, in my opinion the best it’s been in years. Not that it hasn’t always been insane but they really have continued to progressively expand the musical reach and in doing so, blow people’s minds year after year.
This year they really have upstaged even themselves. Shambhala has always done a brilliant job of bringing a good variety of genres and sub-genres of artists appealing to the music junkie in all of us and making it difficult to choose what stage to be at. Regardless of where you are you know it will be amazing. Personally my infatuation with music began with hip hop and when I seen that the hip hop great, Questlove of The Roots was going to be performing at Shambhala I knew the trip was fated.
Shambhala’s dedicated hip hop showcase has been a highlight of my Shambhala experience for the last 2 years and they have continued to recognize and grow their hip hop heavy artists which has done well to satiate the need for more hip hop influenced festivals on the west coast.
Shambhala is more than the music for the annual attendees though. The ranch has become a place for Shambha-fam to reunite and let their freak flags fly high. A place to forget about the 9-5 back home and reconnect with their true self and others in the freedom and judgement free environment that Shambhala provides.
With it being only a month away Earthlings Entertainment is excited to announce that we will be there this year not only as a media outlet but as returning Shambha-fam to celebrate the beauty and authenticity of the festival. The allure of the river, the creative magnitude of the stages, the variation of the lineup and caliber of musicians, the amazing food and above all, the responsible attention to safety that Shambhala brings every year is remarkable.
Shambhala provides a “Sanctuary” tucked away from the stages next to the medical tent where anyone who may be feeling unsafe or just plain needs a place to get out of the sun, can come and recuperate, judgement free, by people who are trained and happy to help. There is also a “Woman’s Safe Space.” Both are open 24 hours and are there for full support.
Shambhala has created a place of acceptance and understanding, where regardless of age, gender, race or religion your neighbor not only wishes you well but will go the distance to improve your stay at the farm if at all possible. Generosity and compassion are cornerstones to the Shambhala experience.
The outside world could learn a few things from Shambhala, especially with the ever present headlines of bigotry, racism, and misogyny around the world. Here at Earthlings Entertainment we are proud to be a part of sharing something that uses art in all it’s forms to address and dismiss such primordial ideas.
Here is to celebrating life and loving every minute of it up with you all at the ranch this summer!
