The Grove: Stage Director's Guide to 2024

The Grove: Stage Director's Guide to 2024

Meet Grove Stage Director Byron Whitlaw.

Bryon Grove Stage Director

Welcome back to your favourite woodland music retreat - The Grove! Where the magic of Shambhala meets the mystique of nature.

We’re thrilled to bring you another packed weekend filled with mesmerizing performances, musical diversity, and a magical environment filled with chill spaces, waterfalls, and art installations - Ready to explore and enhance your festival experience. Let us take you on a journey through this mystical environment - What to expect, and what to look for. Get ready for 3 full days of electrifying music, art, performances, yoga, workshops, and more! 

First.. A bit about The Grove stage

The Enchanted Forest Setting

If you’ve been to Shambhala before you know all about our lush environment setting. The Grove is nestled deep within the old-growth forest of the Salmo River Ranch. Towering trees form a natural canopy, providing shade in the day, and a warm cozy feel at night. The Grove is adorned with spectacular lighting and luminescent art, casting a soft, charming glow over the festival grounds. As day turns to night, the forest transforms into a dreamlike wonderland filled with gnomes and inspiring community, adding to the mystical ambiance. The stage itself pulses with deep bassy music that seems to resonate with the very soul of the forest.

Chill Zones

Scattered throughout The Grove are numerous chill zones, perfect for relaxation and contemplation. These areas feature plush mossy benches, beautiful gardens and dazzling waterfalls. Take a break from dancing, sip on herbal infusions, and enjoy the soothing natural environment. 

Please respect our gardens! The Gnomies have been very hard at work creating this beautiful space to experience. Hammocks are only permitted in designated areas - Not our garden beds. Please watch for the signs. <3

Secret Garden

A short walk from The Grove leads to Secret Garden, a secluded area where rare and magical creatures flourish. Here is where our daytime workshop program takes place. Make sure to dive into the schedule to replenish your body, learn something new, and connect with fellow Shambhalites. At night Secret Garden will transform into an intimate dance experience with a wide variety of sounds from around the globe. This is a great place to recharge and take a break from the big rave. Make sure to check the music lineup - It’s full of surprises! 

Grove Gallery & Tea Hive

Nestled within the serene maze of The Grove lies a forest Art Gallery - a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. The Grove Gallery showcases a curated collection of art from around the globe and offers a unique, immersive experience where art and nature converge to inspire wonder and creativity. Make sure to explore this space and allow the connections and eye candy to open windows to your creative mind. 

Next door to the Grove Gallery lies the Tea Hive. A nourishment sanctuary designed to replenish and uplift our guests with an array of carefully crafted herbal teas and nourishing treats. Perfect for a midday / mid evening pick-me-up to elevate the spirit and warm the soul. All made with love and the finest natural ingredients. 

Enchanted Pathways & Interactive Art Installations

Illuminated pathways, lined with golden fences and alluring gardens, guide you through The Grove, ensuring that no one gets lost in this vast mystical landscape.

The charming forest is also home to a variety of interactive art installations. These pieces, created by talented artists, blend seamlessly with the natural environment. From giant glowing mushrooms to whimsical treehouses, these installations invite exploration and play, adding an extra layer of magic to The Grove experience.

And finally …. 

The Music Program 

We’ve curated a lush, inspiring schedule to take you on a wild journey through the weekend. Explore the diversity of sound on this lineup with returning favourites and a stack of new faces. As usual, there is something for everyone at the Grove. Dive deep into this lineup to find your flavour! 

There’s so much to look forward to over the weekend it’s hard to know where to start…

Friday

First things first.. Come to our Opening Intention. It’s a great way to ground yourself into the weekend, and, well, set some intention for yourself. Take a seat as we guide you through a quick meditation, and open pathways to everything you wish to discover at Shambhala. 

And then… The music begins. Crowd favourites Lazy Syrup Orchestra will start us off, firing up the Funktion One’s, and getting our bodies moving to some funk, soul, bass, rap, and everything in between. The rest of the afternoon / evening is filled with some of my favourites from around Western Canada to showcase our ‘local’ talent to the Shambhala crowd. 

As the night progresses we have sounds of the UK coming in hot, a theme you will notice throughout the whole weekend at The Grove. Sicaria makes a return with her powerful high-energy sound. Kickstart your weekend with this dynamic powerhouse of females on stage. 

Nia Archives is making her Shambhala debut after releasing one of the hottest records of 2024 - Silence Is Loud. Bursting onto the scene with a refreshing blend of old-school jungle rhythms and contemporary influences - Her tracks are a celebration of culture and identity, and will be a rowdy good time in our forest haven. 

Don't stop there as we have dBridge, the mastermind behind Exit Records, and Synkro up next. Both known for their innovative sound and boundary-pushing productions. The next few hours will be nothing short of a beautiful transcendent auditory experience. 

The Librarian has been planning something very special for sunrise, and we’ll close out with returning fav Goopsteppa. 

Wow - That’s just Friday. Here we go… 

Saturday

Come back early on Saturday and begin your day with some of our workshop offerings at Secret Garden. Refresh and enliven your body with yoga, meditation, breathwork, and even an ice bath. Music will be firing up in the afternoon, leading into the debut of K+Lab’s live side project PXLMTREES. He’s more than excited to bring this show to Shambhala and I think it’s going to be a dynamic, funky afternoon. If you’re still coming back to life - Kick back in the forest by one of our waterfalls to rejuvenate your spirit, while listening to all the great music on stage. 

As we enter the night we’re loaded with exciting acts throughout both stages. TF Marz and Parkbreezy will guide us thru sundown with their tasteful beats, moving into the seamless innovative beats of OAKK and El-B. 

KAMAUU is one of my most anticipated acts for 2024. If you are not familiar yet - Get acquainted. His electrifying live show of looping, hiphop, and spoken word is going to blow minds. His soulful voice and profound lyrics are a heartfelt exploration of identity and culture. I can't wait for him to take the stage. 

James Blake will surely mesmerize everyone with his smooth mix of electronic, R&B, and soulful melodies creating an unforgettable atmosphere you do not want to miss. 

Shlohmo has been on my radar for over a decade and I'm very excited to finally have him perform at the Grove. Expect the unexpected! 

By this hour we will be ready for a kick from the bass bins. Mystic State in the late hours is going to be nothing short of magical. And never miss a Barisone sunrise.. That’s all I’ll say. 

Jeez - I can't believe we’re only done night 2. Bring on the magic of Sunday! 

Sunday

Sunday is loaded from start to finish. Very classically I have arranged a live show for Sunday night to bring the instruments to the stage. None other than the kings of funk - Five Alarm Funk make their return to Shambhala. These guys were a staple booking for me back when I did the Rock Pit / Amphitheatre over 10 years ago. They would play every year on Sunday night, and it only feels suiting to have the band back for our 25th anniversary. Get ready for a funk show like no other! 

Fungineers are going to set the tone of the evening, and make sure we’re not taking ourselves too seriously. Come for a laugh, a dance, and a psychedelic experience with this over the top puppet show. You will not be disappointed.

Now we dance. We’re starting off our house night with O’Flynn, a rising star in the electronic world. O’Flynn’s tribal rhythms and contemporary beats are making huge waves on dancefloors all over the world right now. I have no doubt this set will come correct, setting the pace for the rest of the night. 

Logic1000 is very excited to visit us this year, after missing 2023. Her non stop releases, innovative style and eclectic infectious beats are going to have The Grove on the maximum vibe! This is when the magic happens. Come open and ready for a sonic adventure! 

Co-founder of Hessle Audio - Ben UFO is a pioneering DJ renowned for his eclectic and genre-defying sets, seamlessly blending everything from techno and house to dubstep and experimental. No holds barred - Prepare for an immersive experience that has the place jumping around like wild animals. 

Sunday night in The Grove - You do the math! 

Late night with Bonobo.

Need I say more? Celebrated for his lush, intricate soundscapes that blend electronic, downtempo, and world music influences. His tracks are richly textured and emotionally resonant, captivating listeners with their depth and beauty. This is what Shambhala magic is made of. 

And we’re STILL not even done! Holy! 

Jasper Tygner and Frameworks will take us home to close out the 25th anniversary of Shambhala. Rich textures and emotive melodies. Soulful blends of downtempo, trip-hop, house, and electronic beats. Monday morning beauty all the way through.

I can't believe we’ve reached the 25th edition of Shambhala Music Festival. What a wild magical journey it’s been to help create this space for you all, for so many years. 

The Grove offers a musical experience and a journey into a world of enchantment and wonder. Every element of the forest is designed to amplify the magic of Shambhala, creating an immersive and unforgettable adventure. Join us in this mystical forest, and let The Grove guide you through your celebration of music, art, and community.

See you soon!

Please follow us on IG and check the 2024 Grove Stage Spotify playlist.

See you in the forest!

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