Friday 27th until Sunday 29th August 2010 @ Secret Location, Northamptonshire

It felt like most of Bristol had upped sticks to live in the flamboyant, glittery, eco conscious land of Shambala for a few days. If only this festival existed all the time, 365 days a year, down a spankly little portal. Whipping on a furry lion suit and faux diamond encrusted headband, we could simply take a shimmy ‘Shambala break’. Be there dancing with men in tight pink trousers and women in purple wigs - kids dressed as monsters. But unfortunately this world doesn’t sit next to the KitKats in the vending machine at work and we have to make do with the Shambalic festival pleasure but once a year.

It was my first Shambala, and it was also my friend’s hen do. Armed with an inflatable, decorative shark, named Phillpe, and plenty of gin and cider, we embarked on one of the best festival experiences I have ever had. I apply this high accolade for a variety of reasons. Here they follow; Excellent variety of music, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, all night parties, healing fields, workshops, non-nauseating family zones – families that were exactly how I want my family to be (highlights including ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ family), fun activities e.g. bike merry-go-round and welly tossing, fabulous dressing up, the recursive function immersive dome (RFID) -providing an all-encompassing audio and visual experience, and the beautifully decorated forest with tree havens and enchanting lights. Lah-vley!

Shambala keep their line-up secret until the last minute, but ultimately dished up for its community some superb music. This includes; Shri, a man who plays the bass like no one else and stylishly infuses Indian music into electro, drum and bass and jazz sounds. Also Bristol formed writer, poet and passionate hip hop man, Dizraeli, who performed to a packed congregation - marvellous both alone and with a band. The Kamikaze and RFID tents were those that held the serious dub, drum and bass and electro etc. dancing food, whilst the smaller tents were crammed with brewing, modest talent – a delight to meander around both day and night.

With its loyal following and positive, happy feeling, Shambala is like a mini section of Glastonbury. It’s exciting not knowing what music you will experience, and joyous knowing you can look as silly as you could possibly want to. It has the potential to be huge, but hopefully it will remain pint sized and liberated. But maybe I’m just being selfish.

www.shambalafestival.org

Helen Martin