Shangri-la

[denwyn]

First time i have ever wandered over into Shangri-la....can someone explain what its all about...i just could not grasp what it was all about

[4AssedMonkey]

You're kidding right?

If you're not - then there are themes to the various bits. Arcadia is supposed to be a totalitarian state with an underground movement, that's why the shopfronts had "secret" doors to clubs, pubs and just odd things hidden behind them. Trash City is just that - built from trash and has something of a Mad Max feel. The over-riding theme as I see it is a number of smaller, late night venues created with some artistic vision to be a little bit out of the ordinary.

Actually, the more I ramble, the more I realise I don't actually have a clue....

[LusciousLucy]

First time i have ever wandered over into Shangri-la....can someone explain what its all about...i just could not grasp what it was all about

[mandypants]

I think they call it surrealism.

[Scouse Andy]

I only made it in there briefly on thursday and everything seemed to close at 11.

Never got a chance to go back, will make sure I do next year.

[St.Jimmy]

me and my friends went to arcadia/shangri-la/trash city on the saturday night had an awsome time some great memories like the stoned guy who lost his mates, he just sat with us lookin so paranoid lol

[solarfall]

It reminded me very much of 1984. Very cool

[puppetmode]

I just didnt get Shangri-La visually. I expected it, from the name to be really lush and opulent looking but it was just a mass of boring blank walls and signs everywhere. Perhaps another name should have been used. Reminded me more of Blade Runner or 1984. I guess once youre in 'club' then it doesnt matter whats outside. Although the huge ball shaped club could have been anywhere in the world once you was inside. nothing special

Trash City on the other hand looks like what it says on the tin.

[redmuz]

for me it was a chilling, thrilling, jaw dropping comment on our consumerist society. loved it. it attracted and repelled me in equal measure!!

from a less chin stroking perspective the micro clubs and mini dens of music and iniquity were a whole lotta fun

[denwyn]

I just didnt get Shangri-La visually. I expected it, from the name to be really lush and opulent looking but it was just a mass of boring blank walls and signs everywhere. Perhaps another name should have been used. Reminded me more of Blade Runner or 1984. I guess once youre in 'club' then it doesnt matter whats outside. Although the huge ball shaped club could have been anywhere in the world once you was inside. nothing special

Trash City on the other hand looks like what it says on the tin.

[paulo999]

I just didnt get Shangri-La visually. I expected it, from the name to be really lush and opulent looking.

[Ponyegg]

I love these parts of the site, for me this is where all the weirdness that you talk about for the next year happens. 2007 I ended up watching 8 women dressed as Amy Winehouse play some obscure fugged up game show that culminated in someone playing Skrewdriver and then a man did a 60min comedy sketch before giving birth on stage.

This year though I felt there was too much going on 'inside' venues. I go to Glastonbury to get away from the closed-in-ness of cities, pubs n clubs and run around off my trolley in a field of similarly trolley-less people. It felt a bit too contrived and theme like and, well, small. Love the 50s diner (even if it was too loud for anyone to stand in everytime we went past) and the crashed airplane as ever.

Oh, and why was the bar in Trash City only selling bottles when everywhere else was selling pints? But at least we got into the fields this year, every time we tried last year was an utter nightmare.

[ukslim]

First time i have ever wandered over into Shangri-la....can someone explain what its all about...i just could not grasp what it was all about

[mouth]

agree with ukslim there, to enjoy it its best to go explore whilst everyone else is watching there bands. headed over about 10 pm on the friday this year, was easy enough and no where newar as busy as normal. managed to escape before the hoards arrived too.

[mandypants]

It's certainly a shame that there weren't things going on during the day, perhaps that would have helped the night time congestion too, I wandered through that way probably about 8.30-9pm and it was quiet and I didn't get a proper experience of the place, which is a shame because my feet bloody hurt after all that walking lol!

[Bort]

Lots of amazingness in these places but sadly I know I missed much (most?) of what was there. Like that place in the Shangri-la where pajamas were required for entry. And yes, way too crowded after the music stops. There really needs to be more stuff open during the day because at night there are way too many bands to see and after the stages shut down, everyone is there, and it's too crowded to move. And why wasn't Trash City open on Thursday night? Tried to go then but was told they did not open until Friday at lunchtime.

But going into one of those places in Trash City, I saw two girls in fur suits on-stage singing and humping and stripping to "Total Eclipse of the Heart", "Closer", "Welcome to the Jungle"...classic wtf moment right there.

I wish more festivals had areas like these for late night, but yeah, so crowded! And it took an hour and a half to get back to my tent because of the way they were redirecting traffic. After I had my fill of Trash City, I was forced to go with the flow the long way out through Shangri-la and Arcadia again in order to get to my tent by the Peel stage.

[LusciousLucy]

Rather pleased to see that Arcadia is going to be at Glade in a couple of weeks time! And only 10,000 tickets/people at that bad boy! NIIIICE! Oh...and me has a free ticket...yahaaaaay!

Showed my matey who has flown over from Oz for Glade some youtubes of what Arcadia looks like and he is very excited!

[Lad]

Shangrila is basically wackiness by numbers.Some laughs in there but very tame.

[5co77ie]

Shangrila is basically wackiness by numbers.Some laughs in there but very tame.

[Lad]

I thought the hidden lanes bit was great - at times it floated between a japanese manga comic and a subway - loved the fact the venues appeared to move each day - did they (anyone know) or was I very confused - and the hidden pub was genius! Was there a travel agents in there too?

It was like old Lost Vagueness in the days when it was little. A vast improvement on last year I felt.

what made it 'special' was after the long walk in people followed other like sheep - and walked passed the alley ways without ever looking in - a hidden gem.

[jameshunt]

First time i have ever wandered over into Shangri-la....can someone explain what its all about...i just could not grasp what it was all about

[denwyn]

Can I ask what you did?

During Springsteen, I went to Shangri-La with two others, and we found ourselves in a maze of twisty turny passages lined with weird and wonderful side shows. One could easily have walked through Shangri La and missed it. Maybe you did?

Definitely there's hardly any point visiting the area before 10:30. Then, after the main stages have closed, it's too rammed full to enjoy.

[BlackHole2006]

Shangri La is the best place ever. It's just so glastonbury! I mean it's random, unexpected and incredibly life affirming for a glasto new comer. Also, I want to know, are there hidden doors in the subway bit of shangri la with hidden areas and stuff? Would be cool if there were and would give me a reason to go back next year.

Cheers,

BlackHole2006

[mungo57]

When I went to Shangri La half of it was cordoned off and you could only get to about 3/4 food stalls. I nev er bothered again after that.

[paulo999]

When I went to Shangri La half of it was cordoned off and you could only get to about 3/4 food stalls. I nev er bothered again after that.