The UK’s most wildly creative, fiercely independent and radically sustainable festival Shambala returns on 21st – 24th August to celebrate 25 years of music and pure, unadulterated silliness. This milestone edition promises brand-new venues, fresh immersive experiences, plus the triumphant return of the legendary Shambolympics.
2025 brings a wealth of changes, including the introduction of The Next Stage, dedicated to experimental sounds spanning punk, techno, soul, funk, DnB and more. With an immersive 360 sound system enveloping the audience in surround audio, lasers and lights, the stage will play host to the biggest rave on site.
Newly added to this year’s line-up are electro-dance-punks Fat Dog, as well as Grammy-winning jazz hip-hop trio Digable Planets, who will play a 2025 UK festival exclusive. They join confirmed acts including dancehall royalty Queen Omega & The Royal Souls, Manchester rap powerhouse OneDa, East End troubadour Hak Baker, trailblazing jazz collective Steam Down, blues-tinged trance rockers My Baby, future ghetto funk star Moonchild Sanelly, post-punk experimentalists Maruja, and high-energy dancehall selector SoundGyal Saf.
Other new additions include psych-pop innovators She Drew The Gun, DnB legends DJ Die B2B DJ Krust with MC Inja, remix maestro Beatles Dub Club, genre-blurring jazz fusion outfit Corto.Alto, the genre-defying GBRL PRFV ENSEMBLE (led by renowned contemporary composer Gabriel Prokofiev), soulful rapper Amy True, deep house producer Jinjé, and global folk fusion collective Kefaya & Elaha Soroor.
Electrifying Tanzanian duo The Zawose Queens, folk storyteller Beans on Toast, vocal soundscape artist Jason Singh, and funk-punk absurdists Thumpasaurus add even more eclectic energy to the bill. Hundreds more acts are still to be announced, ensuring this year’s lineup will be one of Shambala’s most dynamic yet and staying true to its position among the very top UK festivals for new music.
Shambala’s signature brand of joyous chaos will be in full swing, with the return of The Shambolympics. This unhinged display of athletic prowess — featuring Disco Dodgeball, Mass Musical Benches and more — is one of the biggest draws of the festival.
The Friday will be a sea of green as the whole festival dons the same colour (as voted for by attendees), while Saturday’s Fancy Dress Carnival will embrace word-play with the theme “Pun Intended”.
Also debuting this year is Sibean Beag, Shambala’s authentic Irish pub, which will explore old Irish music and storytelling, alongside the country’s emerging electronic and trad rave scene, all over a proper pint of Irish stout. Talu, a new folk venue, will host daytime workshops and discussions, and by night will transform into a haven for acoustic folk, blues, jazz and world roots music – offering a blissful retreat from the mayhem.
A pioneer in green principles and practices, Shambala is renowned for its commitment to sustainability. Since it started, the festival has reduced its carbon footprint by over 90%, operates on 100% renewable energy, gone meat and fish-free, and eliminated single-use plastics. Festival-goers are also encouraged to embrace eco-friendly travel options and compost food waste.
Meanwhile, the festival’s industry-leading Pay It Forward: Share The Love initiative returns to ensure that the magic of Shambala is accessible to all. The scheme has raised over £41,000 to date to cover not just tickets, but also food, travel, and accommodation for those who might not otherwise afford to attend a festival.
Chris Johnson, Shambala’s Director & Co-Founder, said: “We started as a bunch of about 100 mates in a field, with a farmers trailer for a stage. It’s been an amazing journey and life experience these past 25 years – and a privilege to be part of a radical and kind community of folks who know how to have a wild time whilst standing up for what matters in this crazy world. This year we will celebrate 25 years in style, with stacks of exciting changes. Expect an adventure!”
