The DMNW Shambhala Stage-by-Stage Preview: The Village

Saturday

While not as loaded as Friday or Sunday of the festival, Saturday at The Village is full of sets we won’t be missing. The Village will be open earlier on Saturday than either of the other two days of the festival, beginning with the Hip-Hop Showcase from 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Shambhala is never short on diversity, and the variety of bass available at The Village is a great example of that.

Following the showcase, Vekked, Stylust Beats, Chali 2na, and ill Gates all bring a unique trait to the stage. Vekked is an incredible DJ, who’s skills over 60 minutes shouldn’t be missed, while Chali 2na is one of several incredible rappers and MCs at Shambhala 2016. The set by Stylust Beats will be his second of the festival, and he always brings something special to The Village. After all of that, fan-favorite ill Gates will take the stage solo, a year after going b2b with KJ Sawka on the same stage.

At 11 p.m., we have one of our can’t miss sets at The Village, coming from the curator of the stage: Subvert. His set last year was one of our favorites, and he always manages to add a unique flavor to his performance, setting it apart from the rest. Post-Subvert, The Village turns to the more-than-capable hands of Canada’s Grandtheft, and then drum & bass veteran Sub Focus, to get us to 3 a.m.

Closing out the penultimate day of tunes at The Village, The Upbeats continue the DnB when they perform until 4:30 a.m., when we are once again invited to an aspect of Shambhala that sets it apart from other music festivals. The Liquid Sunrise Jam from 4:30 a.m. – 6 a.m. is a set that every Shambhala attendee should try to make time for, and is full of all of the great drum & bass you could ask for.

Sunday

Another day at Shambhala, another stage full of incredible artists performing amazing music. It is also the latest start-time for The Village of the three days, with the final day of festivities beginning at 5 p.m. A couple of Shambhala-veterans kick things off when Arlen and Two Timer open up the stage. Both have performed at The Village in the past, and we’re ready for what they have in store for their return.

From 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. two Victoria-based acts perform in Dua & Generic and DJ Anger. The three men who make up those two acts are vital aspects of the Northwest dance music scene, and Shambhala itself. Dua is in-charge of Blueprint Victoria, while also being the talent buyer and stage supervisor for The Village. DJ Anger, meanwhile, is a key part of the PK Sound team working with The Village, playing a huge role both on and off the decks at the stage.

Following the great local talent, one of bass music’s rising stars graces The Village with his presence. Haywyre was supposed to make his Shambhala-debut last year, but was unfortunately unable to make it, and suitably replaced by 12th Planet. He was one of our most anticipated acts last year, and we’re happy to see his return come so quickly. The return is followed by a 10 p.m. set from the ever-funky Manic Focus, which is then followed by one of our favorite bookings of the festival in the trap-tastic Keys N Krates.

As is usually the case with The Village, the loaded schedule hits its stride around midnight, when Snails makes his Shambhala debut. Another highly-anticipated set that will have plenty in attendance follows Snails debut, when the crown jewel of the treasure-trove of drum & bass is on display from 1:30 a.m. – 3 a.m. in the form of Andy C & Armanni Reign. The Village will then close out their portion of the festival with a trio of acts: G Jones, Marvel Years, and Scottie D. Ending the weekend with some heavy bass, some glitch-hop, and happy tunes sounds perfect.

We will be spending a large portion of the festival at The Village this summer, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. You can find our more on each of the artists via Shambhala’s official artist profile page. Let us know what you think of the acts performing at The Village, and how excited you are for Shambhala 2016! Comment below, on Facebook, or reply on Twitter!