Shambhala Music Festival has a mega lineup this year, so keep your overwhelming thoughts at bay with this list of artists you shouldn’t miss!
Settled in the magical ground of Salmo River Ranch in BC, Canada, Shambhala Music Festival is home to some of the greatest experiences in the electronic dance music community. For over 20 years, the music lineup for this festival has been seen as a Super Bowl in the scene, and the 2023 edition is one of their biggest yet. With just a week and a half until the festivities begin on July 20-24, festivalgoers are analyzing the set times and prepping their gear for the weekend.
Related: Want to dive deeper into Shambhala Music Festival? Check out our guide that highlights the aspects that make this festival special!
With such a large-scale festival also having an intimate, carefree vibe, it can be overwhelming to choose what sets to see without dictating the flow of the weekend. We always recommend experiencing festivals with your heart and not feeling pressure to stick to a certain schedule. However, we’ve picked some top artists that put on killer sets to guarantee a mind-blowing, music-fulfilling experience. From melodic techno to wonky bass, we’ve got you covered – read on for our picks this year!
Five Artists Not to Miss at Shambhala Music Festival 2023
Curra
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A rising star in the modern bass scene, Curra has been brewing a new potion of her craft this past year and blessing the sound design world with an array of musical goodness. Her creation of a soundscape with haunting melodies, echoing synths, and earth-moving basslines create a fresh take on the wide world of bass music. Her tracks like “Lorelei” and “Raiju” got her on the radar, with her newer releases this year like “Vaega” and “Rumi” elevating her discovery to newer heights.
With recognition from Wormhole Music Group and appearing at festivals like The Untz, Okeechobee, and Elements, her sets bring a dark, soulful, sonic vibe to the stages she dominates. If you’re looking for the bass sound of the future, look no further than Curra’s set at the AMP Stage on Saturday from 6:30-7:30 PM. Fit for the PK sound system, come prepared in your cyber-inspired makeup and gothic aura.
Maya Jane Coles
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The entrancing melodies and hypnotic sets of Maya Jane Coles are food for any house and techno enthusiast’s soul. Tunes like “Other Side” and “Something In The Air,” as well as her latest EP, In2U, showcase this aura she brings to the decks. Most may know her from the famed “What They Say” tune and her appearances in multiple magazines, awards, and guest mix spots. Her other alias, Nocturnal Sunshine, delves into the world of experimental bass and hip-hop influence, which also tie into her top tunes and their instrumental-heavy guides.
A Maya Jane Coles set amongst the forest atmosphere sounds like a groovy match made in heaven. Prepare for some gorgeous flows, melodic intervals that swoon the heart, and deep, earth-shaking rhythms that will keep the crowd vibe high. Seeing a legend like this live is a one-of-a-kind experience! Get ready for the set of a lifetime at the Living Room Stage on Sunday evening from 12 -1:30 AM.
Visages
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Within the past couple of years, the Toulouse, France-based group Visages has flipped the drum and bass world upside down. They’re a frequent face on 1985 Music, and their appearances on collabs with other renowned producers like Sustance, Charli Brix, and Monty have garnered recognition as some top players in the scene. Singles like “Love Conspiration” and “Ouija Board” display their tune by delivering an insanely catchy hook, ranging from angelic vocal sound design on a classic drum and bass beat or delivering absolute madness on a deep dubstep track.
Aside from Shambhala, they are scheduled to play the Apocalypse Zombieland festival in LA later this year, but other appearances have yet to be announced. But their debut on the farm is anticipated to bring all the drum and bass heads together to soak in one of the most talked-about sets on the lineup. Visages will be playing their set on Saturday at the AMP stage from 10:30-11:30 PM, setting the night out right.
The DnB Girls Takeover, Hosted by Crystal Fresh
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This collective hosting over 18 different DJs and producers, DnB Girls brings the heat to the lineup. With a stacked roster that fuels a wide array of drum and bass, jungle, breaks, and even bass music in their sets, DnB Girls also hosts a podcast on their SoundCloud and a live radio show featuring femme artists from around the globe.
Their takeover last Shambhala brought the heat (which you can listen to below), and this year they’re returning to the Village Stage for a three-hour massive takeover on Saturday evening 6-9 PM during the sunset. Hosted by professional MC, DJ, and mixer Crystal Fresh, who is no stranger to the Shambhala stages, this set is the one to catch if you want to discover some new tunes and artists to add to your list of drum and bass sounds!
Wreckno
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There ain’t no party like a Wreckno party. The Denver-based producer has consistently topped the charts and brought heavy hip-hop and bass blends topped with clever lyricism, adding a bit of edge to anyone’s playlists. Singles like “Holla“, “Replay” and “Delusional” have become some of the most played songs of the summer, and have been featured in documentaries and magazine covers.
The “Honey Drip” producer has been booked and busy on a North American tour, hitting festivals like Lightning in a Bottle, and Sol Fest, and even making a guest appearance at Electric Forest – with insanely energetic crowds that match their tunes. A Wreckno festival set is chock-full of fun visuals, effortless mixes, and even a dance troupe, which includes Wreckno hyping the crowd up. If you need a safe space to express yourself, this is the place to be. Join the party at the Pagoda stage on Sunday from 9:15-10:15 PM.
