Shambala bans bottled water

Shambala the festival held at a secret location in the Midlands on August Bank Holiday Weekend is always keen to push environmental and sustainability policies and this year is no different with the festival revealing it hopes to outlaw plastic bottles at the event this year.

Whilst not the first festival to do it Shambala is the biggest. Instead of being able to buy bottles of water festival goers are being asked to bring a reusable bottle which they can refill with free filtered water available at all of bars on site. Festival organisers enthusiastically predict this will reduce waste by an estimated 10,000 plastic bottles.

This great family friendly festival promises four days of fun, with a large kids area, masses of workshops, woodland antics, crazy carnivals, roaming theatrics, and everyone in fancy dress. There's no separate arena from the campsite, and there's no restriction on alcohol.

Acts confirmed for this the 13th year include Alice Russell, Courtney Pine, Dr Meaker, Fatoumata Diawara, Groundation, Hollie Cook, Los De Abajo, Sam Lee & Friends, Sheelanagig, Skatalites, Skip & Die, Smerins Anti-Social Club, Adrian Sherwood, Calyx & Teebee, MC GQ, The Correspondents, Far Too Loud, Hotcakes Live feat. Ed Solo, Deekline & JFB, Jehst & Micall Parknsun, Jstar, Phaeleh, Nicky Blackmarket, RackNRuin, The Ratpack, Benji Boko, Mouse Outfit Ft Dr Syntax, Electric Swing Circus, Heymoonshaker, Honeyfeet, Jazzsteppa, Kitten And The Hip, Lund Quartet, Mankala, Nuala Honan, Prince Fatty Ft. The Horseman, Riot Jazz, Solo Banton & Upper Cut Band, Syd Arthur, Yes Sir Boss, Carrie Rodriguez, Ducie, The Hang Massive, Joe Driscoll & Seckou Kouyate, Lou Rhodes, Martha Tilston And The Woods, Phil King, The May Birds, Tyde (Folk), and many more to be announced.

The festival is expected to have a dozen or so stages of music programming including a main stage, lakeside stage (powered by the sun, or if Shambala isn't bathed in glorious sunshine, by a back-up bio-diesel generator), and big top, plus a roller disco, karaoke, contemporary circus performances (tightrope walking, swinging trapeze, pole dancing), and loads more is sure to be planned.

New for 2013, Shambala has also enlisted the support of party collectives Alfresco Disco, Ghetto Funk, Beyond The Stars, Swingamajig, UTC and Wonky Hi-Fi to produce venues.

Shambala is predominantly a venue-based festival and this year's new additions include a giant tree house stage in the Enchanted Woodlands, a pirate ship on the lake and The Playhouse – an opulent theatre space.

Whilst making a return will be The Social Club; The Healing Meadow; The Kamikaze Tent, Shambala's main dance music venue; The Wonky Cock, serving real ales and thought provoking debate; Chai Wallah's; The Emporium of Invaluable Insights; The Wandering Word featuring Slambala; Acoustic loveliness in Sankofa's; The Lost Picture Show Cinema Club; The Roots Yard; Compass Presents...and many more!

Taking place on Bank Holiday Weekend from Thursday 22nd until Sunday 25th August 2013 with the site closing on Monday 26th at Midday. Ticket prices are as follows:

An adult weekend ticket is £119.
Teen (aged 15/16/17yrs) weekend ticket £79
Child (aged 5-14yrs) weekend ticket £35
Child and Teen tickets may only be purchased with adult tickets. Maximum of 2 teen tickets per adult over 21yrs.
Child under 5 Free (but must register)
Van/Car+Caravan pass £40
Car Pass £25 (one per car)
Motor cycles £5
Disabled tickets (2 for 1) Call 0844 870 0000. Valid with proof of middle or higher rate DLA support.

Tickets are e-tickets so ticket holders must make sure they have their PIN and password ready for entry. Routing passes must be placed in the windscreen before arrival on site.

To buy tickets, here.

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