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Behind the Pagoda: Shambhala’s Mainstage Vision with Robbie Campbell
Shambhala isn’t just another festival — it’s a living, breathing creation built by people who pour their heart, soul, and countless hours into every detail. At the center of it all is the Pagoda Stage, one of the most iconic landmarks in Canadian festival culture. This year, I stepped behind the scenes with Robbie Campbell — the man who has shaped the Pagoda into what it is today — to talk history, evolution, artist booking, and what really makes this stage unlike anything else in the world. From its humble DIY beginnings to its jaw-dropping 2017 rebuild, Robbie’s story is as much about community and passion as it is about music and production.
A Stage Built on History and Heart
Robbie has been part of Shambhala since before it was even called Shambhala.
“We threw a party halfway up the driveway, called uplift for solstice the summer right before the first Shambhala” he told me. “We buried a flat deck trailer in the ground, cut down birch trees, and built 2 Sydney Opera House-style frames facing each other out of scavenged materials. I was in art school at the time. I quit my job at Subway and painted one side like daytime, the other night. It was all vinyl, super underground, just weirdos and nerds having fun.”
The Pagoda itself came later. Robbie first designed it while working on graphic art for the festival, eventually stepping in as stage manager after some convincing from founder Jimmy. The original version ran for years before being rebuilt in 2017 to match his vision — a perfect mix of spectacle and soul.
Ikigai: The Side Stage with Purpose

Next to the Pagoda is a smaller, intimate space called Ikigai Mori.
“Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning your ‘purpose in life,’” Robbie explained. “Mori means forest. It’s a place for my crew — many of them DJs — to play when they can’t get a main stage slot. Now even big DJs want to play here because it’s so vibey and fun.”
What started as a staff hangout has become one of the most talked-about spots at the festival.
What Makes the Pagoda Special

Robbie says Shambhala’s uniqueness comes from its grassroots, boutique scale.
“We’re not Tomorrowland or EDC. This is built on 25+ years of love. Every year we add to what’s already here instead of tearing it down. The tech gets better, the art evolves, but the original spirit is still here.”
When it comes to bookings, Robbie’s taste is diverse — heavy on house and bass — but always guided by feeling.
“If it gives me goosebumps, it’s in. I’ve booked artists at $2,000 who’ve since blown up. I just know when something’s going to hit.”
Behind the Scenes

Thirty days out, Robbie is ordering supplies, slotting crews, and managing up to 100 staff. A week before, it’s a scramble to get final gear in place. By the festival’s start, the machine is running smoothly.
Promotion for individual stages is grassroots — social posts, word of mouth, and trust that people will follow the music they connect with.
Balancing Headliners and Rising Stars

Without massive corporate budgets, Shambhala books artists who truly want to play here. Robbie blends big names with underground talent he believes in.
“Some people book just for ticket sales. I book for the music and the vibe — and those artists often become the ones everyone’s talking about the next year.”
Advice for Aspiring Stage Directors

Robbie’s advice is as simple as it is important:
“When we started, all we wanted was to have fun with our friends. I never planned for this to be a job. If you do it for the right reasons, you’ve got a real chance at creating something special.”
From the early days of scavenged tarps and buried trailers to one of the most recognizable stages in Canadian festival culture, the Pagoda’s story is proof that passion, community, and a little bit of stubborn creativity can build something timeless. Robbie’s vision has kept the stage evolving while staying true to its underground roots — and as long as Shambhala keeps dancing, the Pagoda will remain its beating heart.
Want more Shambhala details?
Visit the festival website and follow across socials:
Official Website: shambhalamusicfestival.com
Instagram: @shambhala_mf
Facebook: ShambhalaMusicFestival
Follow the Pagoda Stage:
Instagram: @thepagodastage
Follow DJ Soup:
Instagram: @djsoupofficial
Editorial
Inside EDC Thailand: What It Really Feels Like Under the Electric Sky
EDC Thailand 2025 unfolded across a wide network of stages, rides, and themed areas, with music carrying steadily across the venue from afternoon into the early hours. Movement between sets felt continuous, while spaces outside the main stages, from kandi exchanges to the wedding chapel, offered moments that stayed with people longer than any single performance. Fireworks brought the field to a standstill more than once, with people pausing together as each sequence filled the sky. As EDC Thailand prepares for a larger venue in 2026, these details remain central to what being under the electric sky in Thailand is actually like.
Under the Electric Sky, Thailand Edition
EDC Thailand unfolded in Phuket in January 2025, with the entrances already active before people fully stepped inside. Performers danced near the gates as groups filtered through, some holding flags from their home countries, others stopping briefly to watch before moving on. The Ferris wheel and merry-go-round were already turning, lit clearly against the night and visible from across the grounds. Music was playing from different directions, overlapping as people moved further in.
Inside, the space revealed itself gradually. Kinetic Field dominated the view with its scale, while CircuitGround, StereoBloom, Bionic Jungle, and the Boombox Art Car pulled attention in different directions depending on where you stood. People moved freely between stages, sometimes circling back to a set they recognised, sometimes stopping simply because something caught their eye. The rides stayed busy, walkways stayed full, and the night moved forward without a clear start or pause. Under the electric sky, EDC Thailand felt lived in from the first hours rather than staged.

The Wedding Chapel: Love and Chaos Combined
The wedding chapel became one of the busiest spots inside EDC Thailand 2025. People lined up in colorful outfits, some carrying inflatable bouquets, others wearing plastic crowns picked up along the way. Couples stepped in one after another, with some clearly together for years and others laughing about having just met that night. The line moved steadily, with people watching, filming, and reacting as each ceremony played out.
Music continued through the vows without stopping. Confetti fell during photos, strangers hugged, and groups shouted from the sides before drifting away. A few couples exchanged kandi rings, while others posed quickly and headed back toward the stages. The chapel stayed active throughout the night, serving as a brief stop between dancing, where people came in, shared a moment, and moved on.

The Rides and the Rhythm
The Ferris wheel rose above the center of EDC Thailand 2025 and stayed visible from most parts of the venue. From the top, stages appeared spread out below, with light patterns moving across the grounds and fireworks breaking above the site. As the wheel turned, the volume shifted slightly, growing quieter at the peak before returning on the way down. People pointed out Kinetic Field, CircuitGround, and other landmarks to friends while the city lights and festival lighting blended into one view.
Nearby, the merry-go-round drew a different pace. People sat quietly as it rotated, phones in hand or resting at their sides, watching the lights circle overhead. Some stayed on for more than one round before stepping off and rejoining the flow toward the stages. Both rides remained active throughout the night, offering a change in perspective without pulling people fully away from the music playing across the grounds.

Kandi Culture and Connection
Kandi trading at EDC Thailand 2025 followed the full PLUR exchange rather than a quick handoff. People stopped, faced each other, and went through the hand movements together before swapping bracelets. It happened in walkways, near stages, and sometimes in the middle of conversations that started with a simple question or nod. The exchange was deliberate, even in busy areas.
Many bracelets carried words like “PLUR,” “Sawasdee,” or “Stay Kind.” After the exchange, people often stayed for a moment, said a few words, or danced together before moving on. Nearby, totems were raised above the crowd, helping groups reconnect after splitting up and serving as clear markers in packed areas. Kandi trading remained part of how people interacted throughout the night, not as a performance, but as a shared habit that required attention and presence.

The Fireworks and Finale Moments
Fireworks were something people actively waited for across all three days at EDC Thailand 2025. Each night ended with a fireworks show, and by the second day, people were already checking the sky as the sets came close to closing time. Groups stopped walking, some turned their backs to the stages to see better, and others climbed onto barriers or shoulders. When the first fireworks went up, the movement across the venue slowed almost immediately.
The last night was different. Before The Chainsmokers came on, a special fireworks sequence ran for around six minutes, longer than the previous nights and clearly set apart. People stayed put instead of drifting between stages, watching the entire thing play out without rushing anywhere else. When it ended, there was a brief pause before the stage lights shifted and the set began. It felt like the final breath before the weekend pushed forward again, something everyone seemed to take in at the same time.

Photo by Skyler Greene skygreene.com
What Stayed With People
Looking back at EDC Thailand 2025, what stayed with people were not headline moments but repeated, familiar scenes. The Ferris wheel turning above the site late into the night, the wedding chapel line circling back on itself, kandi exchanges happening in walkways between Kinetic Field and CircuitGround, and the pause that spread across the grounds when the fireworks began. These were the moments people talked about while leaving, not tied to any single set or stage.
As EDC Thailand moves into a larger venue in 2026, those details set the standard. The first edition showed how the festival worked when music, rides, rituals, and shared pauses existed side by side. From the PLUR exchanges to the final fireworks before The Chainsmokers, the experience came together through how people used the space rather than what was scheduled on it.
That is what being under the electric sky in Thailand actually meant.
EDM Festival News
EDC Thailand 2026 Lineup: Returns, Debuts & More
The upcoming EDC Thailand 2026 festival in Phuket promises an electrifying experience, featuring both first-time acts and major stage takeovers.
The full lineup for EDC Thailand 2026 marks a new chapter as the festival takes place at Rhythm Park in Phuket for the first time from January 16–18. This edition unites global icons and long-awaited debuts, with Armin van Buuren, Axwell b2b Sebastian Ingrosso, Tiësto, and Zedd leading the mainstage alongside rare appearances from Deadmau5, Svdden Death, and Sound Rush. Other highlights include Cassian, Loud Luxury, BUNT, Griz, Mathame, Novah, Tape B, and Vertile, each adding their own flavor to Thailand’s expanding electronic landscape. Beyond the lineup, the festival introduces major stage takeovers that define its identity: Basscon and Bassrush Experience push the harder and bass-focused sounds, Dreamstate celebrates trance culture, and Factory 93 Experience brings a darker underground edge. Together, these elements shape EDC Thailand 2026 into its most dynamic and globally connected edition yet.

First-Time Acts and Rare Sets to Catch in Phuket
Among the names drawing attention this year, Deadmau5 stands out as one of the rarest bookings Thailand has seen in recent years. While he has played in the country before, it is uncommon to see him on a local festival stage, making his addition one of the most talked-about in this lineup. His inclusion alongside Armin van Buuren and Zedd signals how EDC Thailand continues to raise its reach, bringing long-missed artists back into the circuit.

Acts like Sound Rush also make a welcome return after several years away, reaffirming the festival’s growing space for harder styles. Meanwhile, Svdden Death and Vertile bring their own intensity to the mix, each adding a sound that has been missing from major Thai festivals in recent memory.
On the opposite end, Loud Luxury, Tape B, and Novah are performing in Thailand for the first time. Their bookings reflect how EDC Thailand 2026 is balancing its lineup between major headliners and new international names who have never played here before. With additions like Cassian, Griz, Mathame, and BUNT, this year’s program leans toward variety rather than repetition, giving the Phuket crowd a rare chance to see artists that usually appear only at festivals abroad.
Stage Takeovers and What They Bring to EDC Thailand 2026
The stage takeovers at EDC Thailand 2026 show how the festival is widening its range while keeping the EDC identity intact. Each host adds its own sound and culture to Rhythm Park, shaping the weekend into a mix of mainstage highlights and dedicated zones for specific styles.
Basscon and Bassrush Experience anchor the heavier side of the lineup. Fans can expect acts like Svdden Death, Vertile, and Sound Rush, alongside newer names that push hardstyle and bass in fresh directions. This pairing is a major moment for Thailand, bringing a level of production and artist depth that local events rarely reach.
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Dreamstate turns its stage into a world of trance. Names like Armin van Buuren, Ben Nicky, and KEY4050 set the tone for long, emotional sets that define this brand’s global reputation. For many, it’s the closest thing to a classic EDC Las Vegas experience in Asia.
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Factory 93 Experience introduces house and techno-focused artists such as Lilly Palmer, Ben Hemsley, and Eli Brown. The stage reflects the growing appetite in Thailand for darker, club-driven sounds that have been defining the European circuit. Together, these takeovers make EDC Thailand 2026 one of the most complete festival lineups in the region, offering clear paths for every kind of raver, whether you live for trance melodies, hardstyle kicks, or late-night warehouse energy.
@lillypalmerdj GASOLINE with my mate @Eli Brown is our todayyyy on Factory 93❤️ link in bio!!! #electronicmusic #techno #lillypalmer #elibrown #beyondwonderland #gasolin #newmusic ♬ Originalton – Lilly Palmer
What Makes EDC Thailand 2026 Stand Out
Now in its second year, EDC Thailand 2026 shows how fast the festival has grown into a major part of Asia’s dance calendar. Its move to Rhythm Park in Phuket marks a new chapter, giving the event a larger space to build on last year’s success. The focus this time is clear, combining returning headliners with artists performing in Thailand for the first time to create a lineup that feels wider in scope and more connected to international trends.

This edition also highlights how Insomniac continues to strengthen its presence in the region. The inclusion of four global stage hosts (Basscon, Bassrush Experience, Dreamstate, and Factory 93 Experience) confirms EDC Thailand’s place as a full-scale festival within the EDC network. Instead of repeating what worked last year, 2026 feels like a step forward, offering greater variety across styles while maintaining the production and scale that make EDC one of the most recognizable festival brands in the world.
With its mix of returning icons, first-time performers, and curated stage hosts, EDC Thailand 2026 feels like a turning point for the festival’s presence in Asia. The move to Rhythm Park gives it room to evolve while keeping the identity that makes EDC unique. For Thailand’s electronic scene, it is more than just another festival weekend. It shows that the country now stands firmly on the global map of major dance events.
Editorial
Top 10 Sets You Don’t Want to Miss at EDC Orlando 2025
EDC Orlando 2025 is almost here, and this year’s lineup is stacked from start to finish. With massive stage takeovers, sunset moments, and genre-defining sets across three days at Tinker Field, there’s no shortage of must-sees.
To help you plan your schedule, here are 10 sets you absolutely can’t miss at EDC Orlando 2025.
Porter Robinson [Sunset, Friday – Kinetic Field]
A guaranteed highlight of the weekend, Porter Robinson’s sunset set is going to be pure magic. Expect euphoric melodies, stunning visuals, and a journey that bridges nostalgia with forward-thinking production.
Tiësto [Sunset, Saturday – Kinetic Field]
The dance music icon returns to EDC Orlando for another legendary mainstage moment. Tiësto’s blend of high-energy anthems and fresh club cuts makes his sunset slot one for the books.
Charlotte de Witte [Sunday – Circuit Grounds[
Techno takes over as Charlotte de Witte brings her pounding, hypnotic sound to Circuit Grounds. Expect pure energy and dark, driving beats to close out your weekend with intensity.
Subtronics [Sunday – Kinetic Field]
The bass god himself returns to EDC with a new arsenal of face-melting drops. Expect lasers, pyros, and crowd energy levels that push EDC’s mainstage to its limits.
Excision [Saturday – Circuit Grounds]
If you like your bass extra heavy, Excision’s set is a must. Expect earth-shaking drops, visuals that melt your brain, and one of the loudest crowds of the weekend.
Zedd [Saturday – Kinetic Field]
Zedd’s timeless hits and festival-ready edits always bring pure joy. Expect fireworks, confetti, and thousands singing along to ‘Clarity’ under the Florida night sky.
Dom Dolla [Sunday – Kinetic Field]
House grooves meet mainstage energy as Dom Dolla takes over EDC Orlando’s final day. His infectious beats and slick transitions guarantee nonstop movement.
Max Styler [Sunday – Circuit Grounds]
A breakout artist in 2025, Max Styler’s sets are equal parts deep, melodic, and club-ready. Catch him early and brag later, this one’s destined to be a “I saw him before he blew up” moment.
Sara Landry [Friday – Kinetic Field]
The “High Priestess of Hard Techno” brings her dark, industrial energy to EDC’s mainstage for the first time. Expect one of the most unique and high-intensity sets of the weekend.
James Hype [Sunday – Kinetic Field]
The master of live mixing and quick transitions, James Hype is guaranteed to bring the energy. Expect viral edits, creative drops, and a wild Sunday crowd ready to go all out.
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From mainstage moments to underground takeovers, EDC Orlando 2025 is stacked with unforgettable sets. Whether you’re chasing sunsets or bass drops, these ten artists are sure to define the weekend.
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