Those who have been to Glastonbury before know about Shangri-La – a space of expression and activism, that aims to ‘motivate people in politics and play’.
An electric space, where creativity draws so far out of the lines the page is nowhere to be seen. And that’s how we like it.
This year, Shangri-La will have its first-ever dedicated South Asian space called Arrivals. Don’t worry girls and theys, put your ‘how to spot cultural appropriation’ handbook away – the space is curated by a full South Asian team.
Collaborated between Dialled In, Going South and Daytimers – all South Asian-run cultural organisations – the space will bring together some of our most powerful and radical beats.
The stage itself is designed by Shankho Chaudhuri, Esha Sikander and Shirin Naveed and features the work of illustrator Osheen Siva.
We love to see it.
Arrivals will be a portal into an alien jungle planet. Expect solar punk, carnivorous plants, cyborg beasts and space pirates – as it bridges nostalgia to futurism, within a newly redefined South Asian aesthetic.
After all, immigrants were called ‘aliens’. We see the metaphor, and we appreciate the acknowledgement.
An absolute icon from the 90s underground Asian scene DJ Ritu, will have you losing your senses, just like she did at Southall’s Boiler Room in August 2023. A night that many have quoted as ‘the best night of their lives’– one recently married person screamed this at me while standing next to her husband, who merely nodded, accepting his downgrade.
Find the best remix of your favourite Bollywood song at Manara’s set – someone who had me – a socially anxious aunty with bad knees – dancing all night long at a friend’s wedding.
‘No one does it like these three organisations when it comes to championing underground British Asian culture.’ Manara has said about Dialled In, Going South and Daytimers,
‘The teams are unparalleled in their dedication to painting beige spaces brown, providing legendary settings to celebrate the full rainbow of South Asian music with no limits.’
More amazing artists such as Anish Kumar, Gracie T and Nabihah Iqbal will transport you across all alien planets.
A few days ago, a brand new stage – Peace – was announced, which will spread a message of love through performances, such as traditional dance from The Bhangra All Stars.
The goal? To unite us in a world full of pain.
Knowing these amazing artists will be on stage at Glastonbury fills my soul. Because art is deeply cultural in South Asian history. From clothing, painting, poetry and music – our history is rich with talent.
Now we get to showcase it on the UK’s largest stage.
‘This is a seminal moment for UK Festival culture!’ says Bobby Friction, of Going South and BBC Asian Network. ‘South Asian and British Asian music have had their own small festivals over the years and some Asian artists have performed in the big gatherings that are now a quintessential part of a British Summer, but a full-on Glastonbury space dedicated to South Asian music, beats and DJs for the entire festival? That’s just crazy and a personal dream come true.’
It is a dream in many ways – festivals have notoriously been male-dominated, lacking female artists. But now with South Asians adding to the diversity – a mostly female and non-binary line-up too – can only mean good things for the future of music.
Bobby Friction continues: ‘We want ARRIVALS to be like an Interstellar portal for aliens of all kinds, time-travelling immigrants and for anyone seeking asylum from the rest of an amazing Glastonbury. It’s a place where the only VISA needed is an open heart and a love for music that will literally change your life.’
While South Asian music has mostly been underground, it has also been the inspiration from some of the biggest hits we know today. Timbaland famously said ‘I’m very influenced by Bollywood’ – we can see the samples in so many of his hits: Missy’s Get Your Freak on and Nelly Furtado’s Say It Right. Let’s not forget the absolute banger that was Addictive, by Truth Hurts feat. Rakim.
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We have been a big part of the cultural movement, and we’re not seeing it immerse itself in mainstream culture – recently Diljit Dosanjh has collaborated with Saweetie, and performed with Ed Sheeran.
We have been here and we are here.
As Bobby Friction says: ‘The future has already arrived at ARRIVALS!’
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