Photo by Bobby Tamez
Salmo, British Columbia: a place where hoards gather each summer to bear witness to nature's staggering majesty in a state of sheer auditory bliss. Treasured Shambhala Music Festival is set to return August 9-12 to its home in the forest, and we have the five acts you won't want to miss when you're lost in the sauce.
Subtronics
Philly-based Subtronics is a young phenom in the dubstep space, whose grassroots appeal and tight-knit fan base have propelled him to incendiary heights in the past three years. Elite sound design and mind-bending live sets are the bedrock of the Subtronics experience, and have won him international headline tours and industry esteem. Despite his growing celebrity, Jesse is known around the bass scene for his humor and genuine fan interactions, often including demos of his second favorite art form – spinning poi. Subtronics will be keeping the energy live at the Pagoda in August.
Mija
She rose to stardom alongside today's EDM juggernauts and became renowned for her inventive, eclectic live sets, alongside her battle cry of "fuck genres." But today's Mija is a far cry from her former iteration – "shredding a tidal wave of whiskey on a surfboard made out of don't care." 2018's poignant debut HOW TO MEASURE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN LOVERS saw Mija sing for the first time on her own productions, and Band Practice – a stripped-down, intimate tour, brought Amber the singer out from behind the decks. The fearless performances garnered critical esteem and proved the range of this indomitable talent. Catch her at The Amphitheater.
Ivy Lab
Mighty UK bass duo Ivy Lab (comprised of Sabre and Stray) have risen from their beginnings as a prominent force in the London underground with their 20/20 LDN brand to an internationally acclaimed commodity. Their sound runs free in the realm of exploratory freeform bass and sets a gold standard for the boundless possibility born of experimentation, with their melting pot of influence ranging from drum & bass, hip-hop, electronica, and more. Expect a master class in booming beats and undulating low ends at The Grove this summer.
EARTHGANG
Atlanta's EARTHGANG appears on our list representing the Southern heavyweight's explosive hip-hop scene. While heralded by some as the freshest duo to come out of ATL since a certain other iconic twosome, EARTHGANG is carving a place in the lexicon all their own. With a prime spot on J Cole's Dreamville label, don't expect this act to fly anywhere remotely under the radar for much longer. Catch their set at The Grove and be the envy of your friends when they blow up in the months to come.
Chase & Status
Seminal English duo Chase & Status are renowned for their chart obliterating drum & bass, as well as producing for the likes of Rhianna and CeeLo Green. They've recently returned to their 90's jungle roots with the aptly named RTRN II JUNGLE project. It's the legendary act's first appearance at Shambhala, and at a pivotal artistic juncture: "We are transporting jungle into the future – this is a cultural movement." Don't miss this historic headlining DJ set at the The Village.
Limited tickets and lodging packages are available via Shambhala's website.
Connect with Shambhala Music Festival: Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud | Twitter