Shambala Festival - 23rd - 27th August
What's On
Below is a little taste of what's in store at this year's festival. We will be updating this page regularly as more bookings are made. Bare in mind that this will never represent the entire program as we always like to keep some incredible acts and performers up our sleeves as a surprise!
Create your perfect weekend programme by clicking a star to add a performance to your highlights. You can then share your list of favourites with your friends. Anyone who shares their highlights could win tickets to the festival! Go to My Starred Performances ›
Vieux Farka Toure Star
vieux farka toure "every now and then, if you’re very lucky, you get to witness a live performance that blows everything else away. " ***** the independent
often referred to as “the hendrix of the sahara”, vieux farka toure was born in niafunké, mali in 1981. he is the son of legendary malian guitar player ali farka toure, who died in 2006.
ali farka touré came from a historical tribe of soldiers, and defied his parents in becoming a musician. when vieux was in his teens, he declared that he also wanted to be a musician. his father dissaproved due to the pressures he had experienced being a musician. rather, he wanted vieux to become a soldier. but with help from family friend the kora maestro toumani diabaté, vieux eventually convinced his father to give him his blessing to become a musician shortly before ali passed. and, for this, we should all be very grateful!
in 2010, vieux performed before a billion people at the 2010 world cup ceremony in johannesburg and it is a complete honour and a total treat to welcome such an awesome talent and performer to shambala 2012.
vieux farka toure's website
Roots Manuva Star
roots manuva shambala welcomes a pioneer of uk hip hop and one of the country's most original and forward thinking artist of the last decade.
with his latest album, "4revolution" hot of the press, roots manuva has once again upped his game and placed himself at the forefront of contemporary hip hop and it will be a delight to see him perform with his full live band on the shambala stage... he will "juggle tings proper" and truly mash up the party!
here's a wee taster from his new album:
roots manuva's website
Billy Bragg Star
billy bragg singer, song-writer and left-wing activist, billy bragg has captivated audiences over a career spanning 30 years and it is an honour to welcome him to shambala festival for the first time.
we are sure that he'll love it and hope that you love seeing him too!
billy's website
DJ Yoda & The Trans Siberian Marching Band Star
dj yoda & the trans siberian marching band high octane collaboration between one of the planet's hottest djs and a full brass orchestra that will mash up the shambala party!
dj yoda's seminal how to cut & paste series prompted q magazine to declare him "one of the ten djs to see before you die", whilst hip hop connection voted him "one of the top three djs in the world". with a career spanning over a decade, yoda has unceasingly produced unadulterated party music.
time out describes the trans-siberian marching band as ‘balkan ska meets ottoman battle-punk'. in an interview with don't stay in, yoda himself said ‘it's like instead of having a record box at your disposal you've got an entire band'.
our advice would be to hold on to your pants while shambala gets taken on a serious rollercoasting ride by this collaboration between a cacophony of bass, beats and brass blended together in every way imaginable.
dj yoda's website
trans siberian marching bands' website
The Apples Star
the apples it is with great excitment that we welcome back the apples after a few years away from shambala.
this post-funk nine-piece instrumental outfit, who were responsible for turning rage against the machine's ‘killing in the name of...' upside down and inside out, have been going from strength to strength since their last visit and with a new album ready and waiting for release, they are hotter than ever and eager to rock the shambala dancefloor!
over the course of their musical relationship spanning eight years, the group has been dicing and splicing key notes from every thinkable source, and translating them into big band and middle eastern inspired arrangements. this they do without any technical safety blankets, as every piece is reinvented on the spot and the roles of solo and backing instruments change at the blink of an eye to any of the nine members.
the singles ‘attention', ‘killing', and ‘buzzin about' have had airplay worldwide. the success of these releases also fuels full to capacity european visits, at which the audience dance, laugh, sweat (almost) as much as the band does from the first adrenalized downbeat to the last unison hit.
the apples' website
The Kids' Field Star
the kids' field we are proud to have one of the most vibrant kids' fields on the festival circuit. just have a look at the video to see for yourself! it's absolutely jam packed with activities and entertainment. we have creative chaos in the many art tents - make monsters, build badges, design costumes, get messy, draw dragons, and so much more - and you'll be able to take something home to remember the festival.
there's loads of action to wear you all out - try hula hooping, race on the crazy bike track, get bouncy on the trampolines, learn some circus skill, and when you're completely exhausted you can sit down and be entertained in our dedicated little big top. we'll have music, circus shows, comedy, puppet shows and a few special guests!
not enough for you?
there'll be free face painting, a puppet tent, music making, toddler play, games, animation workshops, random walkabout acts, and much, much more.
as if that's not enough we spoil your kids and make the rest of the festival kid friendly too. there are sandpits, climbing areas, workshops in the craft field and woods, and as always surprises at every turn.
you can also get involved with the epic shambala carnival, this year's silly shambolympic games, crazy golf, swinging chairs and other rides. and don't miss the popular bedtime stories with cocoa in the family camping yurt.
after the success of the early years workshop tent in 2011, you can expect another jam packed program of dance, sing-along and fun tailored to the 3-5yr olds.
what's new?
this year we have introduced a dedicated kids cafe, so you can grab a bite to eat for your kids of all ages (we know how fussy they are- we have kids too!). simple, inexpensive, kid-friendly-size portions in a tent with small furniture and play areas. it's also a place you can grab tea and cake whilst watching the kids playing freely in the kid's field.
we're excited to have a few film showings dedicated to kids - info to be revealed shortly, and get ready to sign along.
The Twinkle Brothers Star
the twinkle brothers the twinkle brothers are renowned for their heavy, righteous, roots-reggae and also for their stunning live performances bristling with vitality and joy that have given them an international reputation as one of the finest live reggae acts of today.
the twinkle brothers were formed in 1962 by brother norman (vocals, drums) and ralston grant (vocals, rhythm guitar) from falmouth, jamaica. the band was expanded with the addition of eric barnard (piano), karl hyatt (vocals, percussion), and albert green (congas, percussion). after winning local talent competitions, they recorded their first single, “somebody please help me” in 1966 for producer leslie kong. this was followed by sessions for other top jamaican producers such as duke reid, lee “scratch” perry, sid bucknor, phil pratt, and bunny lee. the band worked in the late 1960s and early 1970s on the island’s hotel circuit, playing a mixture of calypso, soul, pop, and soft reggae, and in the early 1970s, they began producing their own recordings. their debut album, rasta pon top, was released in 1975, featuring strongly-rastafari-oriented songs such as “give rasta praise” and “beat them jah jah”.
as well as producing twinkle brothers work, norman grant also produced other artists in the mid 1970s. in 1977, the band were signed to virgin records’ frontline label, leading to the release of the love, praise jah, and countrymen albums. when the band were dropped by virgin records in the early 1980s, norman grant moved to the united kingdom, and carried on effectively as a solo artist, but still using the twinkle brothers name, and continued with regular releases well into the 2000s, mainly on his own twinkle label.
the twinkle brothers' website
Ed Rush & Optical Star
ed rush & optical there aren't many artists on the drum and bass circuit who can claim to have pushed as many boundaries as ed rush and optical...
at a time when jungle music had become stagnant to the point of self-parody, they turned the genre square on its head with their own brand of darkness and have never looked back since.
in transplanting the bass-heavy leanings of jungle music from its dubwise soundsystem roots, and then proceeding to engulf it in swathes of cavernous shadow, the duo's output heralded a brave new deviation within in the hardcore continuum whose influence cannot be understated.
2012 sees the duo working on a new album which will, no doubt, turn the scene on its head once again.
Toddla T ft. DRS Star
toddla t ft. drs a true bastion of forward thinking electronic music, toddla t's incendiary blend of garage, dancehall and bass music has been making waves since he burst onto the scene in 2009
the young star otherwise known as tom bell now has a swathe of impresssive acolades under his belt. not just content with releasing two lps and touring the world regularly, he also holds down a residency at fabric and is about to start his own show on radio 1.
his list of collaborators reads like a veritable who's-who of contemporary music, working alongside such luminaires as the arctic monkeys, skream and roisin murphey.
toddla t's facebook
The Enchanted Woods Star
the enchanted woods the call of the wild
we fill the whole site with beautiful interactive art installations. shambala is like one big open-air art gallery with some of the country's best creative minds working tirelessly to conjure up pieces of work that you will not forget in a long time.
expect the unexpected in the wilderness woodlands, home to surreal art installations, beautiful soundscapes, live theatre and huge av installations through the night.
a place where art and nature meet- sometimes in harmony, sometimes in contrast- but always in a way that provokes a powerful reaction.
by day, stroll among the shade of leaves and dappled light with wandering minstrels where giant surreal sculptures pulsate and get stuck into wood craft activities and much, much more.
under the cloak of nightfall things get a lot stranger. be prepared to embark on a journey of surreal sight and soundscapes.
Imperial Tiger Orchestra Star
imperial tiger orchestra while compilations of music of ethiopian heritage are flooding the market, imperial tiger orchestra offers a unique sound combining modern and traditional inspiration.
the orchestra's repertoire consists of revamped remakes of songs from the golden age of ethiopian music: a powerful horn section, deadly percussions and relentless keyboards provide a merciless and efficient instrumental reinterpretation and improvisation based on original vocal songs. preserving the natural beauty of melodies and ethiopian sound while exploring uncharted territory, playing with textures and dynamics, adding distortions and noise to complete beautiful pieces, the self-proclaimed counterfeiters embrace dark hypnotic rhythms, obsessive basslines and grooves from electronic music.
it's groove experimentation, it's an improvisational treat.
imperial tiger orchestra's myspace
We Are Family Star
we are family shambala is a very family-friendly festival, with a wild side. we do everything we can to make the festival great for the whole family, whilst maintaining the music, magic and mayhem!
"of all the festivals i have been to it is still the friendliest and after watching my friends with their children last year i knew this year i could not leave mine behind." uk festival guides
new for 2012
• dedicated family live-in vehicle field with compost loos• adventure bush camp offsite - see here for more information• family cabaret tent• double the amount of compost loos • all café's on site have been asked to provide a kids option at a good price!
making it easier for families
we know how tiring a festival can be for families with little ones. to make life easier we provide:
a dedicated flat family camping field near to the car park with compost loos, hot showers and wash basins
wheelbarrows for loan to help get your kit from the car park
the family yurt- a space to play, ask for information, grab a cup of tea and join the bedtime stories in the campsite.
stuff for kids
we are proud to have one of the most vibrant kids' fields on the festival circuit. it's absolutely jam packed all day with activities and entertainment. make monsters, build badges, design costumes, get messy, draw dragons and so much more in the many art tents. try hula hooping, race on the crazy bike track, get bouncy on the trampolines and learn some circus skills. then, when you're completely exhausted you can sit down and be entertained in our dedicated little big top that offers live music, circus, comedy, puppet shows and a few special guests!
there is also free face painting, a puppet tent, music making, toddler play and workshops, games, animation workshops, random walkabout acts and much, much more!
we spoil your kids and make the rest of the festival kid friendly too. there are sandpits, climbing areas, workshops in the craft field and encahanted woods and, as always, surprises at every turn.
you can also get involved with the epic shambala carnival, this year's shambolympic games, crazy golf, swinging chairs and fairground rides. and don't forget the popular bedtime stories with cocoa in the family camping yurt.
teen focus
we are committed to providing for teenagers in their own right. there will be a dedicated teen-tent throughout the weekend with music workshops, music and general hang-out space- teens help run this space too. watch this space for info about opportunities to get on stage. teens can join the media team, getting access all areas to work alongside professional photographers and journalists to create the shambala newspaper! and there's the bush camp, where they can go into the wilderness for a night and learn bush crafts. and don't forget about the carnival and s factor- details on the get involved page.
applications for the media team and bands/djs will go live in early may.
bringing babies or toddlers?
there will be a "baby space" in the heart of the event where you can feed and warm bottles without having to go all the way back to your tent. we also have a camp site shop selling everything you could possibly need. the ‘young families' campsite' is stewarded to maintain buggy size gaps between tents so you can actually get home.
after the success of the early year's workshop tent in 2011, you can expect another jam-packed program of dance, sing-along and fun tailored to the 3-5yr olds.
what does the perfect family experience look like? the ‘mamas' who run the family yurt have created a manifesto for families- we have been working toward this and are almost there. let us know if you have something to add!
family related festival reviews:
uk festival guides
festival kidz website
The Selecter ft. Pauline Black & Gaps Hendrickson Star
the selecter ft. pauline black & gaps hendrickson a 2-tone treat for the shambala party!
as pioneers of the 2-tone ska revival movement alongside the specials and the beat, this band need little introduction. the band includes iconic front woman pauline black, frequently and reverently referred to as the first rudegirl of ska. rolling stone magazine declared that pauline had the hands down best 2-tone vocals ever and is cited by none other than gwen stefani as one of her primary influences.
selecter's website
The Emporium Of Invaluable Insights Star
the emporium of invaluable insights this year we have truly exceeded ourselves in bringing to you the best thought leaders in the country. the world may seem in a bit if a mess but we hope that with our collective and collaborative thinking caps can change the people of shambala cand come up with some radical, feasible, playful and intelligent solutions.
'the future is beautiful', is the belief of futerra a brilliant group of visionaries, who have spent a decade communicating sustainability to the world. join them in their emporium of invaluable insights as they capture and harvest the revelations, observations and moments of clarity that festival-goers experience. they have one outcome firmly in their minds- to leave the festival with a tangible set of actions that people can take to ensure that the future is indeed beautiful!
The Nextmen ft. MC Wrec Star
the nextmen ft. mc wrec it has been a few years since the nextmen last graced shambala and we cannot wait to welcome them back!
a nextmen dj set isn't just a performance, it's a celebration of everything that there is to love about the contemporary british clubbing scene. expect no bass to be left uncovered they deftly navigate rapturous crowds on a microcosmic journey through the expanses of the hardcore continuum.
the men otherwise known as dom search and brad baloo initially found their feet as hip-hop producers, and have since gone to work alongside some of the biggest movers and shakers in the game, from public enemy to fat freddy's drop.
"we just don't want to hear one kind of music all night", dom succinctly explains, and the eclectic nature of their productions is naturally reflected in their genre-hopping dj sets - who knows what they'll have in store for shambala?
the nextmen's website
A World Of Workshops Star
a world of workshops only doctors' notes will be accepted for those not getting stuck into the zillions of ways to participate at shambala. this is not a festival for voyeurs or fence sitters; you are just as much part of the fabric as the acts playing on the stages.
we have so much for you to join in and learn from. with over 100 workshops led by skilled teachers who want to share their passion with you. so don't be shy- get involved.
here are some of the more weird and wonderful activities programmed from last year:
fancy some random?
visit the random workshop tent for the more of-the-wall classes. last year's highlights included:
laughter yoga - the more we laugh, the happier we become. the happier we become the more we laugh.
pocket breasts - knit your own perfectly formed breasts! handy to carry around for spontaneous breastfeeding demonstrations, a game of breast baseball or just a bit of comfort. (some knowledge of knitting useful.)
spoonami - it's not a spoon solo or spoon quintet. it's not even a spoon orchestra. come and get involved: it's the tspoonami!
music, voice and dance
for those of you who do have some real talent that needs nurturing then we have workshop areas dedicated to dance, voice and music cover a wide range of styles like: barefoot tango - encounter the softer side of tango. one spirit many songlines -songs from cultures and spiritual traditions around the world! explore the beauty of the spirit through group singing.
craftism
for those who are good with their hands then look no further then the massive craft island with an amazing selection of artisans demonstrating both ancient and contemporary skills. one of our favourites is the blacksmithing workshop with demos on a hand cranked forge, all set in a beautiful display of unique garden furniture where you can sit and join the blacksmiths dating agency.
over at permaculture
for the slightly rebellious, the permaculture area are keen to show you the art of seed bombs- a brilliant tool in greening up urban spaces. drop in workshop on making miniature portable bomb-bardable ecosystems. these mini wonders can be taken home to brighten up your favourite dull cityscape.
a full programme of workshops will be sent to all ticket buyers before the festival so that you can browse before you arrive and get stuck in!
Luke Vibert Star
luke vibert the enigmatic mr vibert is a true cause célèbre in experimental music, with a free spirited approach to production that embodies fun and creativity above all else.
originally championed by aphex twin in the early 90s, he has since gone on to become a highly respected artist in his own right with releases under a number of aliases on labels such as ninja tunes, rephlex and planet mu.
with a flagrant disregard for genre-boundaries and limitations, his ridiculously prolific body of work spans macrocosmically across styles as disparate as pop, breakcore and psychedelia, with the only consistent factor being an innate desire to push the envelope.
The Kamikaze Cabaret Star
the kamikaze cabaret the kamikaze cabaret is an annual treat of cutting edge circus and cabaret performances. curated by some of the best circus directors in the country, the show will be jaw dropping with dare devil, death defying circustry.
this year we are making sure that all the stops are pulled out to make the show simply staggering.
keep your eyes and ears peeled for news as this the 2012 kamikaze cabaret develops.
Shackleton Star
shackleton what a treat! a true and elusive legend of the dubstep scene drops into shambala!
described by resident advisor magazine as "one of bass music's most enigmatic figures", sam shackleton has always been one to let the music do the talking. currently residing in the continental capital of techno, berlin, shackleton originally took inspiration from the early south london proto-dubstep scene, falling in with the likes of digital mystikz at nights such as fwd>>. but it's easy to see how his new surroundings have influenced his sonic signature; a brooding, meticulous bassweight delivery that pulses with subtle rhythmic dissonance, that is most rewarding to the discerning dancefloor movers and shakers.
Guerilla Science Star
guerilla science discover how truth is unequivocally stranger than fiction with renegade researchers guerilla science as they mix science with art, music and play. listen to the universe, visit an intergalactic space travel bureau or hunt the fundamental particles that make up our world. more earthly delights will follow- come race a cockroach, be part of a human orchestra, partake in a dirty life drawing class and ponder how remarkable it is that you are reading these words at all.
find out more here
John Cooper Clarke Star
john cooper clarke what can you say about our john?
born in 1949 to george, an engineer and hilda, an unpublished poet, john spent his childhood growing up in salford, lancashire.
after teenage years as a mod, john served a few jobs including an apprentice engineer, a lab technician at salford university (then salford tech, where he was interviewed by another manchester hero tony wilson, before his factory record days, for granada tv) and also a lead type compositor. after a brief unsuccessful marriage, and a stint living in dorset, john returned to manchester and started properly on the path for which he would become most famous for, his poetry, giving recitals at clubs and venues around the city.
his biting, satirical, political and very funny verse delivered in his rapid-fire performance style resonated with the punk movement that had begin to pick up speed in the late 70s and saw him begin to draw huge crowds in his own right after touring with most of punk's seminal and ground breaking bands including sex pistols, buzzcocks, the fall, elvis costello and siouxsie and the banshees, to name but a few. the steep rise in his profile soon saw him begin to be supported by some of the very bands he had opened up for a few years previously (new order actually supported him on no fewer than seven separate occasions).
no bigger accolade and platitude of his work is that no less than 3 of his poems are now in the gcse syllabus, including the remarkable twat. he is studied by many a level students and his poetry is prolific within uk and irish university courses, all ensuring that he will be forever ingrained in the psyche of britain's new youth.
one of britain's best loved and most important poets and performers, john is as vital now as he was then; continuing to write new work from his colchester home, which he regularly performs live all over the uk and ireland. jcc also featured on radio 4's chain reaction in august being interviewed by none other than new order's peter hook, john then interviewed kevin eldon a week later.
he's not going anywhere, and oh yeah that distinctive voice tempting you to buy pizza in the dominos ad? yep, that's our john.
Lau Star
lau "quite frankly, the best band in the world right now" - channel 4
three time winners of 'best group' at the bbc radio 2 folk awards!
in 2004, sat around a kitchen table in edinburgh, lau took their first musical steps. now, to have achieved so much in so few years, is staggering.
the warmth and excitement they generate with each new release and at every gig, has culminated in armfuls of plaudits, and their recorded output proves they are not married to any staid concept of folk music - or any other genre.
their creativity transcends all the music they hold dear, creating a cutting edge sound which garners praise from far beyond the roots scene and their humble beginnings.
lau's website
Ladies' Night Star
ladies' night a homage to all things that glitter and shimmer, "ladies' night" is our brand spanking new hidden venue waiting for you to discover your inner disco diva. disco balls, dance podiums, sequined cat suits and best of all shameless party tunes that will have the crowd purring for more and more and even more!
brought to you in partnership with those crazy cats from the howl agency. be prepared for glitter, gaudiness and lots of guilty pleasures brought to you by the all female dj collective frau. think deelite meets debbie harry with a splash of devine.
the only rule of entry is that you have to be of the female of the species to get in! but don't worry blokes amongst you will be helped to transform yourselves into femme fatales by a team of makeover experts.
so how you are going to find the ladies' night discotheque you ask? look out for our human disco balls, follow the glitter cat suits, keep your ear to the ground for sweet party tunes and you will find the wonderful world of females.
check out some of tunes that await you
The Haggis Horns Star
the haggis horns described by mark ronson as ‘the best fucking horn section in the world' the haggis horns bring northen funk to shambala 2012.
the members of the haggis horns have performed with the likes of jamiroquai, john legend & the roots, amy winehouse, morcheeba, roots manuva, lou donaldson, elbow, nightmares on wax, dennis coffey, adele, corinne bailey rae, mark ronson, robbie williams, duran duran, craig charles presents the fantasy funk band, the cinematic orchestra, martina topley-bird, kano, estelle, lily allen, kt tunstall & snowboy to name but a few! having filled the demand for serious session musicians the haggis horns are making a streamline come back this summer and we can't wait to get a groove on!
haggis horns' facebook
Wild Bush Camp Star
wild bush camp say goodby to the kids for the whole night!
a truly unique opportunity for your kids and teens to have an overnight adventure in a wooded glade off-site with bushcraft expert and storyteller chris holland.
parents... yes, it's true! you can send your kids away for a whole night. but, of course, it's all about the kids having an inspiring and independent experience! camps will run from 4pm until 10am the following morning and will cater for 9-12yr olds on friday night, and 12-15yr olds on saturday night.
the experience will look something like this:
at 4pm gather and leave main site. on arrival at the woodland make shelters for the night with tarpaulins and foraged materials. once the shelters are up, it's time for the one match fire challenge. with the cooking fire lit, dinner is served- flame grilled burgers, baps and salad followed by bananas stuffed with chocolate. there will be a chance to have a go at rubbing sticks to make fire and practice a primitive living craft. as night falls we prepare for a sneaky game or two in the dark before stories and cocoa around the fire. for those that are up early enough, there is a chance of some solo time in nature before breakfast. breakfast is bacon and egg rolls before packing up and returning to shambala for 10am.
details:
£27.50 pp all inclusive to cover costs.
places are limited to 25 people per night and an effort will be made to match up friends.
applications will open at 8pm on may 16th and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. places will be held for a set period to allow for deposits to be paid.
a simple kit list will be provided.
Mungo's Hifi Ft. Soom T Star
mungo's hifi ft. soom t
glasgow is hardly the first city which comes to mind when one thinks of cultural hotbeds for reggae soundsystem culture, but the mungo's boys are doing a good job of setting that straight... brought together through a mutual appreciation of dub, dancehall and bashment sounds, they have since risen to become a globally sought-after dj collective and soundsystem crew, working alongside the likes of soom t, ranking joe and earl sixteen. bassweight ahoy!
mungo's hifi website
The Heatwave Star
the heatwave as a general rule of thumb, when a dj collective acts under the modus operandi of ‘everywhere we go it's a carnival', you know they're not messing about.
consistently marked amongst their peers as some of the rowdiest, up-front party selectors this side of kingston, their infectious blend of bashment, dancehall and soca is a failsafe antidote to any rainy afternoon (not that there'll be any of those at shambala!)
as well as their much-lauded weekly show on rinse fm, multiple sell-out nationwide tours and prolific hot wuk record label, they've also worked with some of urban music's most respected voices, such as wiley, sean paul and serocee.
we're massively excited to have ‘the uk's number one bashment sound' at shambala this summer.
energy bashment by the heatwave on mixcloud
the heatwave's website
The Big Burn Star
the big burn after last year's incredible spectacle that was the burning dragon, it is only right to invite glenn anderson, the sculpture's brainchild, back for round 3! with a fresh posse of very talented artists and constructors, this year's idea is to build a very large creature made out of discarded pieces of wood, bits of junk, random objects and a wee lick of paint.
glenn anderson's crew of exceptionally talented artists and sculptors include jago, newso, flx, dave checkley, roj williams and smiley rich!
and for dessert, you can hang around and enjoy the mellow burn of the fire sticks after the show ...
fire, fire, fire!
Happy Economics With The N.E.F Star
happy economics with the n.e.f does anyone understand how to save our economy? well, to help us achieve some insight, we have invited the new economics foundation (an independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being) to come and share their knowledge and expertise in this area. the n.e.f are unique in combining rigorous analysis and policy debate with practical solutions on the ground, often run and designed with the help of local people. they also create new ways of measuring progress towards increased well-being and environmental sustainability.
a recent report by the n.e.f recommends the working week should be cut to 21 hours to ease unemployment and improve quality of life. "so many of us live to work, work to earn, and earn to consume, and our consumption habits are squandering the earth's natural resources," says anna coote, co-author of the research. "spending less time in paid work could help us to break this pattern. we'd have more time to be better parents, better citizens, better carers and better neighbours."
economics is far too important a subject to leave to men in suits. come and join the team from the n.e.f and learn how we can encourage new types of economic policy to flourish so that the world can be a better place.
Rory Mcleod & The Familiar Strangers Star
rory mcleod & the familiar strangers 'you don't listen to rory mcleod, you travel with him'
rory mcleod- ex circus clown and fire eater. a one man soulband, poet and storyteller, singing his own unique upbeat dance stories. a modern travelling troubadour using tap shoes, accapella, harmonica, guitar, trombone, spoons, finger cymbals, bandorea, djambe, and various percussion instruments!
rory has travelled the globe for different reasons at different times, from asia to the middle east from gambia to cuba, central america, australia, north america, canada, europe and other nooks and crannies of the earth.
it is a delight to welcome this legend to shambala where he will be playing a solo show, a set with his band, the familiar strangers and will surely pop up around site playing a few impromptu sessions.
rory mcleod's website
The Last Stop Hotel Star
the last stop hotel rolling stage's show ‘the last stop hotel' is set to be spellbinding! splitting the delicate veil between the real and surreal with a fresh take on the currently booming genre of interactive theatre and guided tour performance. rolling stage create a hotel experience like no other, a carousel spinning the stories of the hotel's public and private worlds into a promenade of intimacy and voyeurism.
rolling stage explores the cutting edge of immersive entertainment staying true to their motto "putting the art back into party" whilst taking you deeper into their world along the way.
rolling stage brings underground art, performance and music overground, presenting a rip-roaring mash-up of live art, contemporary cabaret, live music, live electro beats, djs, interactive theatre, intimate side shows, games, skewed projections, peek-a-booth photos and more!
before concluding with a late night party, the hotel will be running two shows a night, so if you want to see it in action you better find it fast...
check in times and menu's coming soon.
The Magic Tombolinos Star
the magic tombolinos the band the magic tombolinos seemingly emerged from nowhere and have quite simply stormed the european festival circuit, as well as delighting crowds at womad and larmer tree.
with members hailing from italy, portugal and costa rica, fronted by charismatic argentinian alejandro toledo, the group has woven together their musical backgrounds to create an eclectic sound. notable influences include balkan, gypsy, jazz and flamenco, which infiltrate their energetic live performances and have invited comparisons to bands such as gogol bordello, mano negra (manu chao), and rodrigo y gabriela.
the magic tombolino's website
The Story Telling Yurt Star
the story telling yurt bristol storytelling festival and shambala are cooking up a feast of stories this year as a team of top tellers weave their magic across the festival...
each evening there will be enchanting performances in the atmospheric storytelling yurt and a selection of storytelling for both older and younger ears in other venues across the site throughout the day and night. the stories will be layered with live music and visual animation to help bring the stories to life and we're also offering tasty tales- a sensual evening of storytelling and cuisine.
so far we have master wordsmith martin maudsley and dynamic storyteller and actor saikat ahamed heading the bill, alongside the spellbinding magical illuminarium (aka pete stevenson and ailsa mair hughes) to tickle your ears and take you on a journey of the imagination. we'll also be spinning tales from the brothers grimm in a fairytale cottage in the deep dark woods, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of their famous collected tales in 2012.
The Grand Speigel Star
the grand speigel to house our cabaret venue le social club we have booked a sumptuously beautiful spiegeltent.
over 100 years old and constructed in wood and canvas and decorated with mirrors, plush red velvet and stained glass these stuning structures were originally built in belgium during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. only a handful of these spiegeltents remain in existence today, so get ready to be entertained amidst history.
social by name, social by nature! by popular demand we're back to give you the cream of the planet's circus, street theatre, cabaret, stand up comedy, bands, djs, school disco, pub games, knitwear, pickled eggs and a nice cup of tea from the wi!
here are some of the highlights for this year's event.
pub olympics returns to the social club
a social club afternoon highlight- dad returns once more with the hilarious and interactive pub olympics. get involved, bring a team and get stuck in. great for all ages and who knows what you'll end up doing this time! an oldie but goldie, that's the games and our dad!
ready to rock?
ever thought shambala was a bit mellow? its not any more! dj darcus and his air-guitar-tastic-devil-horn-fists-in-the-air-time-to-rock dj set will raise the roof! featuring air guitar competition, headbang heats, moshpit mayhem, spandex spasms, denim dick bulges, leather love handles, hair ....and refreshments (squash) .......aaaaarrrggghh!
the s factor - talent show for all
hosted by shambala stars lorraine and julie from talent show cabaret fame, yes, you get to brush shoulders with the stars on this show! judged by top notch celebrity panel of hot stars (tbc) and with the winners voted by you, the audience. there will hardly be a dry seat in the house! so you wanna be a star?all you have to do is come to the s factor and get your talents out!
can you: sing, dance, do hat tricks, balance a spoon on your nose, say the alphabet backwards while standing on your head, tell a joke, break dance, rap, beat box, act, clown, do impressions, do you and your friends and family want to make something for the show? or is your special talent something completely weird that we can't even imagine yet? ooh we hope so! the winner will get to perform in the talent show cabaret on sat night with all the professionals.
all contestants please report to the social club on friday between 13.00 & 14.00 to register.
talent show cabaret & stunt finale
legendary cabaret with an eclectic mix of huge talents - amazing circus from as far afield as australia and bristol! top music (hot potato syncopators, kid carpet) comedy street style from covent garden and an italian stallion! then as if that's not enough - eyes to the skies shambala. don't miss the biggest stunt of the festival. one man walks one rope on the roof of the social club big top. extreme danger and incredible nerve from kwabana lindsay. (fri & sat only - he's getting drunk on sunday!).
The Craft Area Star
the craft area we have an amazing heritage of craft and tradesmanship in the uk. in years gone by, various skills and techniques were passed down through families or guilds keeping traditional arts and crafts alive and healthy. however, as the industrial revolution kicked in, the need for beautiful, bespoke, useful everyday items started to wane and with them the loss of livelihoods for artisans. william morris, an inspiration of ours, and one of england's greatest designers, was ahead of his time in his campaigns to keep the craft movement vibrant against the never ending "march of progress."
here at shambala hq we have always put arts and crafts workshops high on our agenda. the satisfaction a person gets from using their own hands and creativity to fashion objects is second to none- it soothes the soul and feeds the mind. there has been something of a revival over the last few years with 1000's of people discovering the joys of getting stuck in and utilizing your limbs for something other then the mundane.
our craft area is alive with the sounds of artisans working away with workshops galore. come and join in one of the many different skills that are being demonstrated this year. a full programme of events will be sent out to all ticket buyers before the event.
a few treats for this year...
the woodland skills centre are a community owned social enterprise company who will be teaching green woodworking and coppice crafts, including shave horse and pole lathe skills to produce a large range of useable items from coppiced wood.
the jewellery workshop is returning to enable participants gain an insight into the metalworking techniques of the silversmith. all who take part will be able to produce their own polished band or highly textured silver ring.
labyrinth arts involves participents with the elements of fire, air, water and earth to explore the japanese pottery technique called raku.
l for leather are master saddlers and costume makers to the film industry who are on hand to assist you make a variety of leather items from bangles and belts to bags and clothing.
loads more to be announced throughout the next few months.
Introducing plays Mr Scruff Star
introducing plays mr scruff introducing burst onto the limelight in 2010, turning heads in all directions with their stunningly original live take on the seminal dj shadow album entroducing. the album in its original form was comprised entirely of recorded samples (a world first at the time), making an instrumental rendition somewhat challenging to say the least...
not ones to rest on their laurels however, the gang have stepped it up a gear and given the live performance treatment to the eternally popular tea-slurping mancunian, mr scruff. it's time to get a move on!
introducing's myspace
Compass Presents... Star
compass presents... compass presents.... the time machine, a tardis in shambala's midst, a velveteen time-capsule of a tent in which to lose yourself amongst the oddest of acts and the strangest of playthings...
the shining cogs and steam-punk inventions of a very victorian future assemble themselves into fully-functioning time travelling craft in which you can zoom any point in the past and look at the future though older and stranger eyes (but beware, this ancient piece of machinery, recently restored, is not for the faint-hearted!)
also witness the unveiling of the compass vintage telephone exchange, fully staffed by its time travelling operators, linking up the festival phone network before your eyes. you may be surprised at how very unhinged your fellow revellers sound when caught in the act of random communication!
elsewhere in the recesses of our late night boudoir engorge yourselves in a programme of circus-freakery, visual-mastery, and party beats.acts include: light performances from prymedia and limbic cinema, experimental film accompaniment from minima music, the newest and hottest in up-an-coming music acts, burlesque beauties and dark illusionists. take part in the compass jam sessions (5 -7 daily). watch out for in house jailbird-turned-clown, the most sinister mister wiggles.
Sew Over It Star
sew over it sew over it is a sewing cafe based in south london. it is a sewing haven where you can take classes or drop in and hire the machines whilst munching on tea and cake. our classes range from mad men dresses to patchwork lampshades.
sew over it is run by lisa comfort, who trained in couture with british designer bruce oldfield. lisa is passionate about sewing and fashion and has combined to two in her sewing cafe. this year she has her first book coming out, which is full of ideas to make and customise clothes. watch this space.
this year sew over it are going out and about and will be at shambala festival. they will be running kids sewing workshops, jewellery making, customising sessions as well as an all in important fancy dress styling station ensuring everyone will have their very own unique outfit for the saturday night carnival.
The Destroyers Star
the destroyers a collection of rogues and misfits from the birmingham conservatoire, the destroyers was conceived in 2006 at the legendary balkan basement jam sessions in moseley and soon had there debut show at our very own shambala festival.
fronted by songwriter/beat-poet paul murphy they tell modern tales of acute relevance - tales of love, death, humour, chaos and catastrophe. taking a no-holds-barred approach, all fifteen members were creatively involved in making the soon to be released second album, hole in the universe. songs ranging from the most sinister and intimate to the most joyous and universal are given intricate, complex accompaniments full of roaring energy and stunning virtuosity.
so enter the big top and be immersed in the winding world of the hurdy-gurdy, the sonorous land of the tuba and the exotic realm of the duduk. here you'll find the ravages of war, the tyranny of endless work, the politics of red tape and the wonders of the universe!
the destroyer's website
The Idler Academy Star
the idler academy the idler academy of philosophy, husbandry and merriment is a bookshop, café and centre of learning in west london. founded by tom hodgkinson and victoria hull, the intention is to bring back old school teaching subjects and styles. they will be on tour this summer and we are over the moon to have them as our guest at shambala this year.
the academy combines the atmosphere of cultivated leisure that distinguished plato's academy with the lively conviviality of the 18th century coffeehouse, and a good dose of the 1950s grammar school.
it's intriguing to note that in ancient greece, the word for ‘leisure', scholee, later turned into our word for ‘school'. education was a privilege of the free élite, hence the term, "liberal education". education distinguished the free man from the slave. state education today, though, is really a matter of fitting us out for servility rather than liberty. the idler's idea of education is different: they want to liberate by giving people both academic and practical skills.
the academy wants to teach english grammar, latin, calligraphy, gardening and embroidery so that we can concentrate more of our time on beauty and truth rather than simply toiling for wages. the ultimate aim us to rediscover the pleasures both of creativity and the intellect and to help people become self-reliant, capable and competent. that way lies liberty. hence their motto, "libertas per cultum", meaning "freedom through education". and that word cultum means "education" not in the sense of instilling propaganda, but in the sense of "cultivation" or "culture".
Molotov Jukebox Star
molotov jukebox singer natalia tena is accompanied by trumpet, accordion, and violin and together they perform a delicate balancing act over an inventive rhythm section. molotov jukebox play a crowd-pleasing blend of gypsy, ska, dubstep, swing to name but a few of their influences, and the resulting blend has been dubbed ‘gyp-step' by many.
it is a real pleasure and a treat to welcome this excellent band that are hotly tipped to explode this year.
molotov jukebox's website
Laura J Martin Star
laura j martin armed with a mandolin, flute, and loop station (to name but a few of her instruments!) leeds based songstress laura has wowed crowds up and down the country, capturing the spirit of the folk music yet delivering it with a modern twist.
a truly enigmatic soul both on-stage and off, she is well-known for her lively, engaging performances, truly connecting to her audience with a compelling presence and charming personality.
laura's influences are as numerous as they are diverse, citing inspiration from the likes of wu-tang clan to devendra reinhart. the success of her debut release doki doki, which has since been given the kidkanevil treatment, is a true testament to a musician with a bright future ahead of her.
laura j martin's website
The Lost Picture Show Star
the lost picture show surely the most glamorous and luxurious cinema in the world, the lost picture show invites you to rest your weary wandering legs, sink into a mountain of velvet cushions and enjoy a film programme that spans the very best of the past century.
returning to shambala for it's third year, the vintage picture palace will be serving up a bigger and better line-up of classic films, cinematic oddities and lots of live interactive shenanigans.
so relax on the sumptuous velvet seating, be pampered by the charming uniformed usherettes, grab a mojito from the decadent cocktail lounge and allow your retinas to be seared with some of the most strange and wondrous images you'll ever likely encounter.
The Shambala Springs Star
the shambala springs we have had hot-tubs at shambala for years, we love them and so do you! this year we are pulling out all the stops to make sure that you can soak away in luxury. set amongst a clearing by the shores of the lake, you will find sumptuous 6-person hot tubs to soak in. enjoy the views of the festival rolling along or admire the swans glide by on the lake. this experience wouldn't be complete without a glass of bubbly from the spa's bar, brought to you by your very own waiter.
we also have 2 different saunas on site with plunge pools. with all these personal grooming options there's no excuse not to wash before hometime!
Parker Star
parker first starting his rise smashing chumps via dj battles, bristol's parker soon turned his hand to production gaining "lofty comparisons to the marvellous rjd2′. the driving soul and deep bass of his debut album to eternity was described by dj magazine as having thrown "stylistic doors open wide with deliciously pleasing results".
this exploration of different musical realms is what defines parker, and what makes him "uncategorisable". after the blissed out beats of his early work parker ran full pelt into to more bottom end frequencies. amongst his numerous bass laden treats, parker's remixes of james brown and bjork both topped the hype machine chart, whilst ‘where's my monkey?' made him a household name.
as a dj parker has gained a reputation as one of the most versatile cross-genre selectors in clubs today. his undisputed deck talents have see parker smash stages at glastonbury, big chill and bestival, as well as various club hot spots across the globe including fabriclive.
dj parker's myspace
David J Star
david j david j is a word weaver. one of the those rare species of poet, who breath body and soul into his words through his deliverance and style. influenced by hip hop and drawing on social and political observations on contemporary society, david has been known to leave audiences awe struck and desperate for more.
he has guest featured on america's def poetry jam, made an appearance at the brit awards o2 arena, and most recently blown thousands of television viewers away on channel four's random acts
a poet whose words defy the laws of language and who shoots straight from his lips into the heart of us all.
The Healing Meadows Star
the healing meadows far from the maddening crowds and a small journey over the lake bridge awaits your sancturay. nestled within a meadow clearing, the healing area, with its army of practictioners, are here to sooth the senses and ease away the strains with some truly healthy and decadent rejuvenation.
this is a place to be still and learn the ancient arts of yoga, t'ai c'hi and meditation. the workshops running throughout the day are complemented by a whole range of treatments including thai massage, shiatsu, osteopathy, reflexology and acupuncture to name a few.
once you have had your treatment, sit back, relax and gaze in contemplation in a zen like fashion pondering over which delicious homemade cake you will try next!
Credit to the Nation Star
credit to the nation credit to the nation's first single was released through chumbawamba's label in 1991. in the following year they recorded 'call it what you want' that sampled the iconic guitar riff from nirvana's "smells like teen spirit". it was this track that john peel got hold of and later played on his john peel session on radio1.
following airplay on the legendary show, credit to the nation were scooped up by bjork's imprint one little indian, and within a week cttn had signed a three-album deal with the label. since then they have toured with such artists as manic street preachers, the levellers and the band that first saw their potential- chumbawamba.
cttn are currently working on a new album with producer/dj crossflow, which is set to be released just in time for this summer.
credit to the nation's facebook
Belleruche Star
belleruche "like sarah vaughan, charlie christian and cut chemist stuck in a dusty second hand record store with rum and a sampler, belleruche make turntable soul music."
a combination of rum soaked vocals and vintage samples bringing back memories of yester-year with dj modest on decks, ricky faulous on guitar and kathrin deboer on vocals.
unfortunately, due to a nasty accident, belleruche had to pull out of shambala 2011 so we are delighted to be inviting them to perform for you this year instead!
with a new album, "rollerchain" ready for release this year on tru thoughts (the same label that boasts working with bonobo, quantic and rodney p), the band are continuing to take things forward. this lp showcases new instrumentation, complexity and attack that take the band's core elements to a new level. a very modern sound combined with classic song writing ability, the album is a collision of haunting vocals, aggressive analogue sounds and bleeding edge electronic production.
belleruche's website
One Massive Art Space Star
one massive art space we fill the site with beautiful interactive art installations. shambala is like one big open-air art gallery with some of the country's best creative minds working tirelessly to conjure up pieces of work that you will not forget in a long time.
expect the unexpected in the wilderness woodlands, home to surreal art installations, beautiful soundscapes, live theatre and huge av installations through the night. and watch out for the gorillas in the mist!
and if all that was not enough, don't miss the spectacular grand finale, be prepared for breathtaking fire shows, performance and fireworks set against a beautiful backdrop of tree-lined lakes.
Wandering Word Star
wandering word we're taking you with us again on a non-stop magical journey into poetry, the spoken word and the many musical vehicles it travels within. we have beautiful words, words that you'll remember forever, mouths that make magnificent sounds, visiting legends and family vibrations. a whole lot of rhythm to tread in this ground.
we are currently busy decorating the most colourful spread sheet in the world to bring you a weekend that will almost certainly keep you warm all winter.
keep popping back to this page for regular updates and mutterings on the shapes that we're creating and get yourself involved in our online poetry or story competitions.....ok now, does anyone have lauryn hills mobile number?
Analogik Star
analogik hailing from denmark and sporting some of the most impressive beards this side of middle earth, analogik is mainly known for their huge hit, ‘gypsy doodle', which has been igniting dancefloors across europe. a heady blend of electronica, swing, grooves and hip-hop beats, and with a sprinkling of infectious balkan-esque guitar licks thrown in for good measure, they've got all the sonic ingredients to get any crowd jumping.
their talents go far beyond genre-bending aural delights, however. when they're not busy producing jingles for children's tv shows, or writing soundtracks for nintendo wii games, they'll be getting in touch with their thespian side at the nørrebro teater in copenhagen, where they recently performed in the hit parody piece "oliver with a twist". it goes without saying that this is a band of many talents.
it's no surprise, then, that analogik are no stranger to the festival circuit, having played at roskilde, glastonbury, skanderborg, fusion and many more and we cannot wait to welcome them to shambala!
analogik's website
analogik's myspace
The Shambolympics Star
the shambolympics intrepid idiocy is a legacy the good shambala folk have become accustomed to over the years, and 2012 promises to be no different... for this year purveyors of the preposterous bearded kitten will host the shambolympics! with murmurs of the 'other games' all but a distant memory the rumble of riotous nonsense will sound aloud by the lake as shambalians are invited to abseil into the absurd! a full weekends worth of left field interactive games for all to get involved with by day, and star covered dance hall, fun-times-mega-rinse-out amphitheatre, by night. housed amongst the hay expect the daytime shenanigans to be a celebration of unconventional olympic activity and assumptions regarding what the real athletes do when the cameras not on. 'jumping for a long time', ‘100ml races' and ‘pent-up-agression-athlon' being just some of the offerings in store. culminating on sunday where winners of activities throughout the weekend will be invited back to battle it out for a place on the podium competitors will bemuse themselves and amuse all those watching in order to grab a gold! as the sun goes down bearded kitten promise to turn it up to 11 and have you dancing into the small hours with a host of all star secret dj's their parties have become known for.
Videopia Star
videopia "if the academy awards got you itching to get in front of the camera and finally make it in the movies, then videopia might well be the perfect first step on the road to oscar glory." -the guardian
ever wanted to be in the movies? well here's your chance people! videopia is an interactive movie making activity that casts, shoots and screens miniature tributes to hollywood classics.
videopia hosted popular london clubnights at notting hill arts club. combining a dance floor with a makeshift movie set and a bar with a temporary cinema screen, the videopia crew recreated very silly versions of many cult films including ‘back to the future', ‘e.t', ‘ghostbusters', ‘jaws' and ‘star wars'.
for the past two summers videopia has transported a mobile film studio to some wonderful festivals and, for this year they, will be rolling up to the fields of shambala for some thespian theatrics.
videopia has been recommended by time out, the guardian, dazed & confused, le cool magazine, don't panic, urban junkies, the metro, the london student, the london paper and the london lite.
Hint Star
hint "forward thinking awkward dance music that brims with genius" mr scruff
ninja tunes saw hint's potential early on in his career, and the resulting product was the album ‘portakabin fever'. a deceptively intricate combination of hazy lo-fi melodies, and childlike, off-kilter rhythms, it was this album that earned him the honour of performing on john peel's legendary radio1 show.
support has been received from across the field from toddla t to ben ufo, and follow up eps have served to bolster hint's reputation as one of the producers du jour in electronic music. with a new album scheduled for release later in 2012, his fans and profile are only going to grow!
hint's website
Buggsy Star
buggsy up and coming, bristol based hip-hop and grime star, buggsy, is reknowned for his lyrical wordplay and engaging performances. he has collaborated with the likes of joker, skitz, shy fx, congo natty, and even supported jurassic 5's a-kil.
we are really excited to welcome this future superstar for his shambala debut.
buggsy's myspace
Radikal Guru Star
radikal guru heavyweight, reggae infused dubstep from poland.
with its unique head nods to originators of dub king tubby, lee scratch perry, and scientist radikal guru's music has attracted a lot of notice.
in 2005, radikal guru found inspiration in the asian underground and subsequently put out a demo album called ‘the east-west connection'. the album became an internet hit, and radikal guru moved to cork where he continued to expand his production techniques and began to carve a name out for himself in clubs.
his success is worldwide, with many of his tracks being plaed out on radio stations like bbc asian network, sub fm, rinse fm, sensimedia network and many more. off the back of such wide airplay, radikal guru has since become a staple on festival and club circuits.
radikal guru's website
Boom Monk Ben Star
boom monk ben boom monk ben first cemented his popularity in glasgow, attracting capacity crowds at his own mixed bizness club nights. blending together the most diverse dance floor fillers, ben's sets are unashamedly bass heavy. while rocking his glasgow regulars, ben caught the eye of many a european club and has been gracing the scene abroad now for years.
it wasn't too long before ninja tunes recognized the unadulterated bass lover's ability to get a dance floor shaking. the label approached him, and subsequently ben was producing an ongoing mix series for ninja's infamous solid steel radio show. impressed with the reception of ‘boom monk zen', ninja invited ben on their 20th anniversary to join their official ranks alongside household names including coldcut, dj food and hexstatic amongst others.
mixed bizness website
Misty's Big Adventure Star
misty's big adventure misty's big adventure are an 8 piece band from birmingham led by grandmaster gareth, who john peel once pronounced "the new god".
since 2004, misty's big adventure have released four studio albums to critical acclaim, with the nme calling their last album "a masterpiece". they have toured all over the uk with the zutons, the magic numbers, and dan le sac vs scroobius pip. they've also made many festival appearances both sides of the english channel.
their latest offering, the family amusement centre, features a guest appearance by sir patrick moore and mst be checked out!
misty's big adventure myspace
Profisee Star
profisee profisee's steadily been making a name for himself on the underground uk hip hop scene, with his intelligent approach to lyrical wordplay and crisp, understated beats which underpin a raw delivery style that hovers somewhere in between wu-tang clan and saul williams.
signed to one indian records (roost of bjork, the sugacubes and sneaker pimps), he has worked alongside the likes of starkey, hexstatic and neil landstrumm to name a few.
profisee's website
The Urban Folk Quartet Star
the urban folk quartet the quartet came together in 2009 and played in the uk, italy, belgium and spain within three months of joining forces. their success can be attributed to this: four multi-talented musicians not only technically gifted but also virtuosic in their approach.
members of the band have played with the chieftains, the albion band, feast of fiddles, carlos nunez, the destroyers, the conservatoire folk ensemble, chris while and bellowhead amongst many others. no doubt playing with such a broad spectrum of artists has attributed to their success and ability to surf different genres.
the urban folk quartet's website
The Old Dance School Star
the old dance school birmingham's cinematic septet unleash their duelling fiddles, soaring brass crescendos, wind and vocal harmonies and earth shattering grooves in a genre busting live show that's leaving audiences breathless.
the seven members of the old dance school may seem fresh faced, but don't let them fool you, the diversity and scale of each one's musical journey is quite remarkable. from international jazz festivals to european opera tours, film score commissions to classical recitals, green festivals to tattoo conventions, members of the old dance school have performed, recorded and toured with artists such as martha wainwright, cerys matthews, and graham coxon.
the old dance school website
We Were Evergreen Star
we were evergreen parisian born and bred, this trio merged in 2008 following a new year's resolution that stuck. since then we were evergreen have exploded onto the uk music scene. their sound has a deliciously french flavour to it and transcends effortlessly between folk, indie and electro. through a shared love of pop music and nursery rhymes the band tell all kinds of quaint tales from yodelling yaks to tales of adolescence.
we were evergreen are back in the uk as the main support for michael kiwanuka, king charles and ed sheeran as well as travelling back to their native france to gig with baxter drury. they have recently supported little dragon at the great escape, the wombats at lovebox, the guillemots busking for war child, soko as well as playing wilderness, secret garden party and green man festivals over the summer season last year.
we were evergreen's website
Tip Of The Pops Star
tip of the pops we are proud to announce that dj dynamo and his experimental solar powered wheelbarrow disco made from reclaimed waste will be at this year's event. tip of the pops is musical comedy activism enjoyed by all ages by providing renewable energy and entertainment. shambala is the only global show that you can see tip of pops this year.
tip of the pops,the antidote to apple's ipod, is a subversive and anarchic discotheque made from waste transported in a wheelbarrow. earwig the barra is a pop-up solar powered party generator exclusive and ideally suited to shambala land. playing dumped vinyl records on discarded equipment tip of the pops is a lot of fun but also a serious statement about our throw away society.
there is a hidden beauty to be found in objects and upcycling them. an ethical post consumerism, not packaged, shipped nor shiny and new. instead they are discarded, unloved, old fashioned, remodelled and pumped up for you pleasure- or as they say down in dorset 'reduce, reuse, recycle boogie'!
The Roots Yard Star
the roots yard follow the smell of flaming jerk chicken, and you'll find yourself in the roots yard, shambala's most poorly kept secret. a little haven of reggae basslines, from the dub sounds of the mellow vibes crew to the carnival bashment vibes of the heatwave, passing through the rolling breaks of lionfire all the way to the infra-oscillations of rsd's dubstep... all heavily tinted with jamaican vibes and hosted by the friendly fire family with some of the uk's finest selectors and djs and some very special secret guests.
Compass Teleconfusion Star
compass teleconfusion during the twilight hours of shambala festival 2011 a confused member of the compass team, having more than over-achieved during the previous night's festivities, got lost in the depths of the woods and made a most extraordinary discovery...
a small hut emitted a sepia light and in its doorway a wizened fellow with a really rather long beard looked somewhat bereft from within his brown overalls. he beckoned her into his hut, and with a crooked finger unveiled his invention - the telephone exchange of doctor balderdash von tripe - an experiment forgotten in time. under the increasingly insane tutelage of the doctor, his staff of bored operators - and old baldy himself - seemed to have grown quite dotty.
after being lost for more than four decades compass presents this vintage exchange and its strange band of operators - a spectacle not to be missed! the cobwebs have been blown off their wires and, amidst a few running repairs, they will oversee a network of phones, and nurture absurd connections between total strangers. you the poetic people of shambala shall orate, gabble, retort, expand, enthuse, confide and rhapsodise from every hidden corner of this magical land.
Daemon or Doppelganger? Star
daemon or doppelganger? come and get your hands dirty and lose yourself in a ball of clay for half an hour (or three...)! absorbingly relaxing, therapeutic and immensely enjoyable, everyone can join in for free. make an image of your "shambala self" to add to the growing crowd that appears over the weekend.
you can take your figure, face or fantasy creation home or leave it and we will fire as many as we can to add to our festival "terracotta army" of thousands which are exhibited at every glastonbury festival with their own miniature event. over 11 years we have had at least 40,000 wonderful creations made all over europe by people from the ages of 2 to 82.
the bestival blog - thisishampshire.net said, "we are having the most festival fun ever! the sideshow of the event has to be the daemon or doppelganger clay self-portrait workshops!"
"number 1 in the top 5 alternative glastonbury experiences!" undercover magazine.endorsed by friendly fires on radio one!
Becoming a Shaman... Star
becoming a shaman... this ritual formed a central part of the earliest british societies and shamans were part of these ceremonies. guerrilla archaeology offers shambalans the chance to explore the earliest evidence for native british shamanic practices and to join with us to once again bring these rites to life.
we want to break down the barriers between our ancestors and ourselves, and by drawing on our rich native archaeological heritage,and asking questions about our own place in the world today. transformation and disguise,movement and music will encourage shambalans to break down their inhibitions and reach out beyond the individual into the wider world.
Mola Mola Sound Space Star
mola mola sound space visiting one of our sound spaces you can expect anything from collaborative sound art to live performance and somewhere to just experience sounds from the calm to the chaotic.
our program for the weekend includes a listening lounge - featuring improvised electronic music. experimental sound experiences such as famous pop songs stretched to become bizarre soundscapes and a the flaming lips - 'zaireeka' listening party.
with the festival theme of 'celebration, we'll be paying tribute to famous music and sound pieces in our listening lounges through recordings and performance, including the likes of john cage, steve reich and the bbc radiophonic workshop. so sit back/stand up/dance/lie down/relax/listen and enjoy.
The Time Machine Star
the time machine inspired by h.g wells' classic book of the same name, full colour presents the time machine for this year's shambala:
a fully interactive audio-visual experience housed inside a sumptuously decorated geodesic dome, featuring high resolution visuals displayed using xga projectors and sounds emanating from a turbosound rig.
put on your dancing shoes and enjoy as we celebrate and travel through some of man's greatest musical milestones of all time! think louis armstrong for the 20's, elvis and james brown for the 50's, stevie wonder and lee scratch perry for the 70's, the fresh prince and coolio for the 90's. i guess you could see it as the most sensational giant time travelling jukebox ever!
The Hall of Gratuitous Praise Star
the hall of gratuitous praise feeling a little low? life getting you down? babes... you need a little pick-me-up!
the hall of gratuitous praise is a feel good audio installation designed to make you feel tip-top again. come in, grab a herbal tea, relax... spend a moment recharging in a spa like experience with a difference. think 1960's la hippystyle mantras, whale song and a fluffy robe and your half way there. bryony kimmings wants you to know just how great you are...
Be Ready Playpen Star
be ready playpen this twisted playpen is all about releasing your inner rug rat - regressing back to the days of silly games and being told off by teachers, to getting messy, throwing tantrums, to creating alter- egos and imaginary friends, to physically jumping up and down and shouting and screaming!
The Lost and Found Emporium Star
the lost and found emporium let's set the scene: you've lost your mates and you fancy seeing them again soon but you can't remember where they said they'd be. what do you do? fret not friends, just head over to the lost and foundation emporium where, this year, we are making getting lost a detective game.
our merry band of lycra clad, trenchcoat wearing private dicks will set you on the path to laughter. we'll take details of those you seek and stick them up on the 'lost' board while we set off into the melee of the festival with signs in order to find your compadres. in the meantime, you can hang out in the emporium, making new friends, drinking tea and generally being merry. when we reunite you with your friends we'll take a snap and get it up on the 'found' board. by the end of the weekend we will have a board full of happy smiling faces.
look out for us at the top of a step ladder, donning binoculars in the search for lost friends.
www.llostandfoundationemporium.wordpress.com
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@shambalaFest 2 days ago
We’ve just uploaded our new video http://t.co/pNzmtbWc