Review: Shambala 2019

Arguably the last true festival amongst the top tier, devoid of corporate sponsorship, Shambala remains King of environmentally conscious escapism – providing an overall broadened awareness of the world around us!

Since their decision to ban the sale of meat and fish from the site in 2016, they have pioneered a blanket ban on single-use plastic, inspiring the likes of bohemoth Glastonbury itself. Their continual strive for sustainability in every form derives from their core message of a utopian ‘net-positive’ gathering, with minimal negative environmental impact. Precisely the nature of their magic, the respect they pay to their impact.

Photo Credit: Louise Roberts

It’s a rather clear trajectory Shambala presents here in Northamptonshire; moving through blaring issues with a graceful facility, co-founder, Operations Director and Sustainability lead Chris Johnson proves a driving force for this years continuation of approach behind the scenes.

During an end of festival debate hosted by the Garden O’Feeden, Chris was joined by Festival Director Sidharth Sharma, Soil Association CEO Helen Browning OBE and International Head of Policy for Compassion in World Farming Duncan Williamson. Their topic of debate: What if Shambala was to go Organic?

One simply could not find a better panel of guests to debate this topic. Though full of specialist insight and sections of Q&A, this large area of discussion was squeezed into a mere 45-minute window. We couldn’t help leaving this beautiful tent, yearning for those unanswered questions.

Photo Credit: George Harrison

Nineteen years-strong, this festival fast approaches adulthood with an evergreen reputation for family-friendly fun and vast variety. Overflowing with an abundance of workshops, both free and otherwise, we noticed no shortage of options to occupy this sunny bank holiday weekend. From staff whittling and low-key glass blowing, to fermentation, permaculture and eco-self-sustainability talks, there is no excuse to remain uninvolved.

Of course, you can find these kinds of workshops and talks at many a festival these days, but there is something uniquely inclusive about this ‘secret-location’ and how it provides for its revellers.

Photo Credit: Louise Roberts

Ordinarily, one might assume a festival of this size must revolve around a heavy inclusion of high-profile musical acts; Shambala is about so much more than this.

Of course, you could easily find awe-inspiring music, with a mammoth array of acts across the festival site this weekend. Taking to the Shambala Stage, early Friday evening, Caribbean voodoo melodica meets 70s stylised US blues in the form of Moonlight Benjamin. Delivering a show-stopping performance, full to the brim with Afro-energy, jazz-guitar rock and moody under phased saturated guitar tensions. Certainly a highlight from this year!

Moonlight Benjamin – Photo Credit: Ania Shrimpton

Arrive Thursday and leave Monday – five days of frantic delights and friendship forging galore. To say goodbye to a festival such as Shambala, is one of the hardest points of the festival calendar – Sunday night, we tried to do just that.

With support from Gorilla Circus, Pyrite Creative and Two Tigers we saw Shambala aid in this tear-jerking arrangement. Gorilla Circus provided various performances throughout the festival, with aerial acrobatics displays beside the infamous Lake Shambala – this was a somewhat subdued performance in comparison.

The lasting impression was certainly made by Two Tigers, however, choreographing one of the most impressive firework displays we have ever seen at a UK festival. The audience was left spellbound, in awe of an immense amount of work and creativity displayed across the Sunday night sky.

Closing Ceremony – Photo Credit: Ania Shrimpton

A lot of questions were posed this year, relating to what could be done to improve for 2020.

It has to be mentioned that this year saw a host of issues regarding the water supply across the festival site, in particular with relation to the showers available on-site. We would love to see an improved communication network regarding updates to these issues – the Shambala app was incredibly helpful and could easily have been utilised to greater effect.

With the ban of dairy milk across coffee vendors this year, we were delighted to see a commitment to a better food system continue. With debates regarding the next step of an Organic Shambala 2020, we would love to see firm progress made to make this a reality.

With Shambala 2019 complete, we shed one final tear for another year awaiting return; well done team Shambala, here’s to 2020!

Read More: Review: Green Man 2019