Shambhala through the ages: The evolution of a raver (Editorial)

Everyone knows Dance Music Northwest’s affinity for Shambhala Music Festival; it’s basically a staff reunion for us with lineups growing bigger, and better, year-after-year! For me, however, it’s a bit different.

I’ve been attending Shambhala since 2006, at the ripe old age of 15 (back then, the rules were a bit looser). I bought my ticket off Craigslist for $90 CAD the week before and set off with my best friends across the province of British Columbia- my mother all the while assuming I was camping, which was technically not a lie. Just with ten thousand of my closest friends.

I attended Shambhala as a patron for a number of years, until 2011, when I accepted a position as a gatekeeper within the festival. I volunteered for one year, taking a small break from the festival to finish university and get my shit together (I didn’t, but that’s another story).

In that time, I began working with local festival Tall Tree Music Festival, working in artist relations. During my tenure there, in 2015, I was approached by one of the Talent Directors for Shambhala and offered a position within their AR team, after seeing me working the gate the year prior. I accepted, which started chapter two of my Shambhala journey.

Three years later: countless memories, smiles, adventures, and chance meetings with some of the biggest artists in the industry. I was also two years into my tenure writing for DMNW. At this time, I was faced with a choice: continue with the Sham team, or accept a position as media, and move onto chapter three. My career path lead more in the writing direction, so I accepted, threw in my resignation from the team, and went full force into a new position.

Being on the ranch as a writer, a member of the media, and an official spokesperson for the festival, after the fact, through my reviews, felt amazing! It felt like I’d finally come into the place I’d always meant to be, and in my favourite place in the world. This year will be year number two, and I can’t wait to get back on the farm with you all, and get the good work done!

Would you consider working for Shambhala? Let us know in our comments section on Facebook, and Twitter!