Radical Love Expressed On Boom Program
Culture areas themes & concepts, workers & volunteers applications and tickets news
The Boom Community is very mindful of the P.L.U.R. concept (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect), perhaps because these are necessary elements in the art of living together as humans. The psychedelic and psytrance communities have always defended and acted on these principles, making them a sine qua non for any celebration.
In these times of social polarisation and rapid change, the ability to understand ourselves (kindly) and be able to empathise with each other are expressions of Radical Love. This reminds us how the P.L.U.R. idea, which is so pivotal in psychedelic and electronic music culture, can be a beacon for a world without boundaries and for a new culture fueled by Radical Love where the walls people and groups create don’t become prisons. We Are One.
And…
The countdown for Boom 2023 has begun! The work on site continues and tickets are almost sold out. The prospect of getting the community back together is motivating the whole team.
Nourished by the idea of Radical Love, we share how we are implementing it in the Boom 2023 cultural program.
DANCE TEMPLE: THE CONTAGIOUS COURAGE OF EXPOSURE
If there's one place where Radical Love resonates, it's the dance floor. It’s about togetherness, we get closer to others when we are aligned and dare to expose the essence of our true selves together through non-verbal communication.
Expect some mind-blowing large-scale sculptures, 360º and interactive video, new gardens around the dance floor, a brand new Playground, a colourful experience as part of the tradition of Boom’s Dance Temple and state of the art psychedelic music coming from various fields and eras.
We are also presenting a special show to honour “disc-jockey culture”, although the days of DJs playing DAT are long passed and vinyl was never a big hit when it comes to psychedelic trance.
To bring light to something that is slowly fading away, there is one full night and day dedicated to DJs, with special Boom long sets from some of the most talented artists. We will present masters of the decks, who encapsulate what DJ culture was like and still is: a transcendental connection between dancers, sound mediated by someone generating moods and understanding the feelings of a group of people and guiding them to a better place. “In the hands of a master, records become the tools for rituals of spiritual communion”, wrote author Bill Brewster. So be it!
ALCHEMY CIRCLE: THE LEAP OF FAITH OF THE CHRYSALIS
This artistic concept explores the power of love as an agent of transformation, allowing the chrysalis to change from caterpillar to butterfly.
Don’t miss the new large-scale art sculptures in the public space. On the dance floor, we are developing brand new decor inspired by natural shapes, video concepts and light design. The biomimetic architecture will be revamped with new colours, patterns and inspirations.
As the Alchemy Circle is such an open-minded and forward-thinking music area, we are broadening our musical horizons in this edition: an ode to drum and bass is an exciting addition to a program that cross pollinates the beautiful mesh that unites trance, dark progressive, psy techno, house, techno and bass music.
There is also a special show where DJs and live acts from across the psychedelic dance soundscapes perform one full night, morning and afternoon without breaks, no stops, just the flow of music into all myriads of psy-inspired music. All the talented artists come from Zenon and Iboga Records and have one goal in mind: to present the Boom community with a once-in-a-lifetime experience of music that sheds light on the origins of how trance is played and how we should never forget it.
THE GARDENS: THE DEPARTMENT OF ECCENTRIC AFFAIRS AKA THE QUIRKY WAYS OF LOVE
This artistic concept is based on celebrating the queerness of love, difference, eccentricity and variety, as reflected in the animal and plant kingdom but also in humans.
However, this year we're giving you more art and experiences across nature and an extra day of programming at The Gardens. As a loving gesture, we want to present a smooth landing and integration into the Boom experience through an eclectic selection of music and nature.
SACRED FIRE & BEING FIELDS: THE CONTROVERSY OF ONENESS
This artistic concept expresses the ability to look at the flip side of Oneness as a form of sameness or homogeneity. It invites us to remain alert and that to be diverse and respect our principle of Radical Love we need to be brave, attentive to our blind spots and aware of some agendas that want to reduce people to a limited number of social categories.
Humans are beyond boundaries, we are one. Think for yourself.
At the Sacred Fire, Boomers will be immersed in an immense vibe of romanticism as an ode to Radical Love - in the gardens, music, immersive natural environments and workshops.
Music-wise, each night will be dedicated to geographical music traditions and poetry is our focus. Every night a poem is authored by a poet born in one of the countries belonging to the diaspora and a musical tradition chosen.
At the Being Fields, we invite facilitators and therapists to explore the depths of Love through six sub-themes: Innocent Love; Joy; Self-Love; Empathy; Compassion; and last, but definitely not least, Unconditional Love. Prepare yourself for lots of yoga, meditation, therapies, classes, sound journeys, breathwork or ecstatic dance to name just a few of the activities.
We are also debuting a brand-new bamboo architecture structure for the Chi Temple.
Come practice by the lake!
NATARAJ: CELEBRATING BODY & DANCE AS COSMIC AWARENESS
Nataraj has an innovative program featuring dance artists visiting and performing at Boom Festival for the very first time. It will offer cultural immersions and metaphysical experiences of all the dimensions of Radical Love.
The space will open with a Radical Love Ritual Embodiment Class. Throughout the festival, the Love theme is constant: from honouring the women of Iran and their rich heritage, to an original work about the influence of AI on the human body, to the forgotten dance of Portuguese Fado music , and the African diaspora .
LIMINAL VILLAGE: THE DISCOMFORT (AND THE REWARDS) OF THE ETERNAL
This year’s Liminal Village program will deepen the many aspects of Radical Love that resonate with our commitment to strive towards Oneness.
Questions like “How do we aim for a Oneness that is not sameness, and for a diversity that is braver?” and “What is holding us back from being One with each other and collectively?” will fill the minds and hearts of all Boomers who are deeply passionate about knowledge.
PERFORMANCES: RADICAL LOVE, SELF-LOVE AND AWAKENING FULL OF LOVE
Dozens of shows at the intersection of different types of theatre, from the more conventional to the immersive, will seek to create moments of individual and collective reflection on the past, but above all, to bring forth the hope of a world where pure love vibrates.
ENVISIONARY ART GALLERY: WORLD CLASS PSYCHEDELIA ON DISPLAY AND WITH LIVE SHOWS
The Envisionary Art Gallery has been relocated to the Central Plaza to reinforce the cultural space and features exhibition spaces, live painting (expect special shows from Furtherrr Collective), auctions, lectures and a shop.
Many world-class psychedelic painters will be at Boom for the first time ever. You’ll be able to experience work from artists such as Android Jones, Furtherrr Collective, Mars-1, Damon Soule, Oliver Vernon, Luminokaya, Luke Brown, Luis Tamani, Icarus and Dadara, plus several artists from the Because Art Matters crew, in a full creative moment.
SPACESHIP EARTH: A NEW ECO EDUCATION SPACE TO LEARN AND PLAY
Let us introduce you to a new space dedicated to ecology and what is possible in the field of environment and regeneration, both individually and collectively. Its main aim is to be a showroom of the various green technological and design solutions already in place in Boomland.
In this area that is simultaneously focused on education and play, you’ll be able to learn about various themes such as biodiversity, energy, soil and water.
Curious to get to know this new Boom space? Find it at the Central Plaza.
YOUNG DRAGONS: THE FUTURE IS AT BOOM
Boom loves families and their unique dynamics, and welcoming them with grace is part of our ethos.
With a fun area designed for kids aged 3 to 13 and their respective adults, the entire program is designed to be enjoyed by the whole family.
This edition will feature some new additions: for example, eco construction will focus on building houses for insects (kids will love this!); there will also be morning circus sessions, among other surprises that we don't want to reveal just yet.
Families, prepare yourselves for a journey through the magic of the universal expression of love, through empathy, inclusion, joy and recognition of humans as special and unique beings: a world in each child.
SOME FACTS & FIGURES ABOUT THE PROGRAM (SO FAR)
- 2612 applications from 77 countries — 202 were selected;
- Diversity: 52 countries and territories represented;
- 843 artists, facilitators and therapists in the official program;
- 21 different artistic areas with a total program time of 1215 hours.
WORKERS & VOLUNTEERS DEADLINE EXTENSION
You too can be a part of Boom 2023: Workers & Volunteers, join us to co-create Boom 2023 by completing an application form by 15 May. We have received many quality submissions but we still want to encourage people to send in their applications.
FEWER THAN 1000 TICKETS AVAILABLE & TICKET RESALES
With less than 2% of tickets left available worldwide, it is likely that Boom 2023 will sell out soon. This is literally your last chance to be with the community. The next edition of Boom won’t be until 2025.For those who are unable to attend the festival and would like to release tickets for another Boomer, a resale platform will be available in June, after the tickets are sold out.
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Our heartfelt thanks to everyone, each and every single one of you: you make Boom alive, possible and a reality in the world.
With Love from Boomland,
Commit to Awaken the World
Boom Team