Shambala Festival 2011

It seems there is no longer a stereotypical festival goer, in the way there perhaps was 10 or 15 years ago. These days there are so many festivals to choose from that anyone and everyone is catered for. It becomes increasingly harder for a festival to stand out from the crowd, so how does Shambala manage to do this so effortlessly?

Here's a few clues: you only learn of its location when you buy a ticket. You only learn of the line-up once you hit the site. If you're someone who bases their festival choice on who’s playing, you'll either avoid Shambala or - as this weekend's crowd has - learn to put your faith in the organisers.

Usually arriving at a festival is a nightmare - getting your wrist band, finding your pitch, heaving a tonne of luggage for miles. However, Shambala have gone to great lengths to make this part of the experience painless. A free shuttle bus picks you up from the station and has you on site in 15 minutes where you will find virtually no queues. Every single punter is greeted by a highly enthusiastic and colourful welcoming party who give you a massive hug and free drinks!

It is impossible to not be grinning like a Cheshire cat by this point and these good ol’ peace and love vibes simply don’t let up throughout the festival. As I am pitching up, a lady in a purple chefs hat, my new neighbour for the weekend, offers me a freshly cooked lemon and sugar pancake which I gladly accept.

The site is stunning but refreshingly quite small so I have plenty of energy to get stuck in. Unfortunately the weather doesn’t reflect my mood as the rain pours and continues to do so on and off throughout the whole weekend. The atmosphere is so engulfing however, it just doesn’t matter.

Shambala is very much a family friendly festival, but for those who believe small children and partying don’t mix, let me stress that this in no way spoils the fully rounded festival vibes. Just beware of being caught of guard by mini entrepreneurs who have a knack of persuading you to part with your dwindling cash on glow sticks, mood rings or even plastic cups.

I catch some of Red Snapper on the main stage who’s double bass plucking, jazz tinged breaks and d&b goes down a treat. As night draws in, it’s off to the enchanted woods where the injury inducing cargo nets of the year before have been removed. The art installations amongst the trees are stunning. A huge suspended form high in the forest canopy provides a backdrop onto which the leading lights in the AV world project spectacular visuals alongside throbbing electronica.

As massive headliners are besides the point at Shambala, even on the main stage, I have a weekend of musical discovery ahead of me. The musical bill is extremely eclectic, ranging from excellent contemporary dance music, urban sounds, ska, reggae, African and gypsy vibes.

Kasai Masai, a quintet from deep in the heart of Africa, somehow seemed destined to part the clouds and beam some sunshine onto us with their uplifting, tribal afrobeat and thats exactly what happened. Definately a Shambala moment. The Edingburgh based Hidden Orchestra were a real highlight, playing on the Chai Wallah stage. Their explosive live show featured 2 drummers, violin , dubby basslines, samples and a touch of trombone thrown in for good measure. Demonstrating heavy jazz and classical influences but with a modern twist I was blown away by their musicianship and the occasional drum battle.

The costume carnival, a procession around the site where everyone who has put the effort into dressing up (about 99% of the festival goers) highlights the communal spirit and the fact that it really is the people that make Shambala what it is. Most of the costumes are spectacular and extremely comical ranging from a man with a push chair and fake dangly scrotum to a 15 foot man controlled by a small child.

After a few more trips to the enchanted forest, a wonder around the healing fields where you could have a full shiatsu body massage or perhaps turn your hand to a craft and witnessing many more fantastic musicians I was ready for the Sunday night finale. Across the lake we gaze upon the elusive manor house which has now turned an eerie red. A beautifully choreographed combination of fire dancers, fireworks, theatrical geisha and the burning of a floating Japanese temple enthral the crowd.

After everything I have seen and done can I make it through 2001; A space Odyssey at the Lost Cinema on my way back to the tent? Perhaps that would be one trip too far.