[divider]SHIBA SAN VS. THE FUNK HUNTERS VS. DATSIK[/divider]
One of the first difficult choices festival attendees will have to make comes around 11:30 p.m. on Friday. At the Pagoda Stage, which features a Dirtybird Takeover from 5 p.m. – 6 a.m., Shiba San is performing from 11:20 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Around the same time, Datsik will be tearing apart the Village Stage from 11 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (prior to Skrillex), and The Funk Hunters will be getting down in the Fractal Forest from 11:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
This particular set-time conflict has a lot going on, and the decision made during this set will likely set the tone for the heart of your Friday night. Nobody can be blamed for flying high with the Dirtybirds all evening at The Pagoda, especially with the incredible string of artists performing from the label. But, getting a quality spot for Skrillex’s Shambhala-return, while also getting treated to 90 minutes of Datsik at The Village, sounds like the easy choice.
But the real gem of this conflict comes in the form of The Funk Hunters. The Shambhala-regulars are fan-favorites who draw a crowd, regardless of their set-time, year-after-year. If you’re a Shambha-newbie (like some of us), and want to get the full Shambhala experience, we suggest catching The Funk Hunters set at The Fractal Forest Friday night. We won’t blame you for leaving a little early to grab a spot for Skrillex, but missing The Funk Hunters at Shambhala this summer is a mistake you should try to avoid.
[divider]CLAUDE VONSTROKE VS. LIQUID STRANGER VS. DOWNLINK[/divider]
The leader of the flock of Dirtybirds taking over at Shambhala, Claude VonStroke, headlines another Friday set-time conflict at Shambhala. The Dirtybird Records boss will be on The Pagoda mainstage from 2 a.m. – 3:15 a.m. Meanwhile, bass-heads will be frantically deciding or shuffling between two of our favorite artists from the heavier side of dance music. Legendary drum & bass artist Liquid Stranger will be at The Grove stage from 2:30 a.m. – 4 a.m., while Downlink takes his turn at The Village stage from 2 a.m. – 3 a.m.
The ability to inundate oneself with either hours of bass, or tech house, between The Pagoda and Village stages on Friday of Shambhala is almost too much to handle. Almost. Switching it up at this point in the night wouldn’t be a bad idea, based on choices in earlier conflicts. This choice is also dependent on recent show attendance, and if you prefer seeing new artists or not, as both Claude VonStroke and Liquid Stranger made visits to the Northwest in July.
After enjoying Skrillex at The Village, some Claude VonStroke sounds like the perfect way to rally for the rest of the evening’s festivities. But, if an extra boost-of-bass is necessary, hopping over to The Grove or The Village for some of the best in the business is a great plan to have in your back pocket.
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