Dear First name / friend,

 

Welcome to Shangri-La where a complete rewilding is underfoot. We’re open all day every day, so come and choose your own adventure among the plants, flowers and insects. Will you find yourself relaxing in the Allotments or dancing under the moon at our new Luna stage? Or maybe wandering through the Realm? So many paths are waiting— which will you take?

 

The seeds for new beginnings are being sewn all over Shangri-La this year, not least by Shapers of Society, who are creating a whole Meadow of Possibilities in the Allotments. Glastonbury goers can write their affirmations on pieces of wildflower seed paper, rip them up, plant the seeds and let them grow for future generations. Rachel Taylor, one of the artists behind the collective, says the project chimes with the sense of gentle power that Shangri-La is channelling this year.

 

“Softness is emerging as a new form of activism,” she says. “Shangri-La is showing us what is possible in terms of sustainable ways of doing things. It really sets the bar high for the whole of Glastonbury.”

From alien interventions to fairy rings to spiritual spaces for meditation, crop circles have been a source of wonder to people since they first appeared in England in the 17th century. Artist-technologist Coral Manton has brought a bit of that folklore to the Allotments of Shangri-La in the form of Fieldworks, which also speaks to sustainable farming and land access. 

 

Festival goers can sit on a mat in the middle of a wheat circle and just soak up the joyous atmosphere. “Crop circles are sometimes called temporary temples, and I love that element of contemplation,” Manton says. “We all need a bit of that sometimes.”

 

The beating heart of Shangri-La will be brought to life three times every night when the main stage will pause for The Wilding AV Show. Designed by FRAY Studio and projected by Universal Pixels the immersive experience transforms four 40ft PoliNation Trees with white net canopies, originally created by Trigger, into living sculptures that map our often-fraught relationship with nature. But, in the spirit of Shangri-La, defiance, positivity and connection prevail. Throughout the powerful soundscape from Echoic Audio are spoken words from Rider Shafique, Ngaio, Gardna spoken words from Rider Shafique, Ngaio, Gardna and queer collective Shade Cartel. As the AV show reminds us: “Take heed, they tried to bury us, they never knew we were the seeds.” Take heed indeed.

 

What better way to incubate new ideas than in a greenhouse structure? The Grow Room does just that, acting as a radical print studio—and a bar, convenient for when you want to get those creative juices flowing. Using letterpress, risograph and collage, works will be created as the festival unfolds, culminating in a zine being produced and given away on Sunday. 

For those who want to try their hand at printing, workshops and inspiration come from Kennard Phillipps, Giant Triplets, House of Jo, Page Masters, Black Lodge Press and other artists from the DIY print scene. Head to the Grow Room for workshop timings.

 

And don’t forget to put some money in the jukebox—every tune comes with a seed to take home and sew, and a tree is planted on a large plot of land bought by the Shangri-La crew near to Glastonbury.

 

If there is one spot that sums up the ethos of Shangri-La it's Nomad. The only returning part of the field, the space is inspired by the origins of the area and each of the buses and vans that form the stage have been home to 

members of Shangri-La.

The stage is now a space for queer and underrepresented groups—Brownton Abbey brought the fire at the opening ceremony on Thursday. Pxssy Palace and London Trans Pride+ are taking over on Friday and Saturday respectively.

 

Bringing a mega dose of the good stuff is the dance duo Joy Anonymous, who are taking over the Luna stage with guests from 2pm on Friday. Come and dance in the sunlight and into the evening with the pair who are known for their community-driven performances. Expect to feel, well, joyous. 

 

 

✽ Shangri-La’s outdoor art gallery is filled with sculptures that invite you to immerse yourself in nature, as you think, discuss, debate and play.