Shambhala Festival’s vibrant totem culture shines each year as a beacon of creativity and friend-finding in the crowd. But a recent Reddit discussion has refocused the spotlight on respecting the shared festival experience by dialing in smarter totem etiquette.
What’s the issue?
Tall totems—often over 10 feet—can block the festival’s stunning projection mapping visuals on main stages, casting shadows or even endangering sensitive stage equipment like camera cables. Large, flat-to-sound surfaces can also degrade audio quality for folks behind them. Ultra-bright LED elements on totems overwhelm the carefully designed visual environment and can irritate nearby attendees.
Community and festival advice:
- Position tall totems off to the sides of the stage, not front and center.
- Rotate or redesign totems with smaller or fewer flat panels to avoid sound disruption.
- Ditch ultra-bright LEDs for softer lighting that complements projection art.
- Prioritize creativity without sacrificing consideration for those around you.
Security teams have stepped in before to remove or switch off totems that negatively impact others’ festival experience. Feedback from the Shambhala community encourages respecting these guidelines to keep vibes positive and welcoming.
The biggest takeaway: your bold totem ideas are welcome, but true Shambhala magic comes from your presence and engagement. When your totem shares the spotlight without stealing it, everyone wins.
For more on Shambhala’s values and visual experiences, visit Shambhala Music Festival.
Source: r/Shambhala
