PSY-FI festival 2017

foto-report
The ancient Chinese “Book of Changes” is definitely one of the most important books in world literature. Its origins go way back to mythical times, and scholars have been digging it for ages.

The “Book of Changes” is an ancient predictive text, one of the most widely read across the globe. This treatise has inspired many religious, business, literary, and artistic movements.

Terence McKenna’s “Timewave Zero Theory” is just as famous. The core of this time zero theory is a fractal pattern (constructed from numerical values derived from the I Ching hexagrams), which maps time, thus predicting the future.

The festival experiments with all sorts of new twists (changes) that are plain to see. Previous years were oversaturated with different areas and a multitude of varied stages. This year, the “Book of Changes” seriously influenced the organizers, and they decided to radically alter the approaches and concept.

One of the major changes is the operating schedule and activities. All the action has been shifted to daylight hours. All the DJs who usually play night sounds were spinning in the heat of the day, that is, at noon. The first dancefloor (Chill) kicks off at 6:30 am. Then the main stage fires up, and everyone wakes up to the sounds of Hilight Tribe or various crews checking their gear, which sets the vibe for who’ll be playing during the day. With this fresh start, people get amped up, have a scrub, prepare some grub, and rush to the dancefloor.

The stages wrap up at midnight – 1 am. Some head to bed, while others don headphones and get their groove on in complete silence at a special dancefloor, with only the pounding of feet and occasional outbursts of emotion audible. It’s an unforgettable sight – panting, breathing, stomping, sighing… all in utter silence.

Another change to the festival concept is a more stringent selection and organization of the different areas, significantly reducing their number but keeping only the most vibrant ones. The Ikhti group designed two sites, dynamic installations were designated separate areas, camping was segregated from the main happenings, the territory has a unified music concept… and there are numerous other transformations at each space, with corresponding changes in the organizational approaches.

In order: “ON THE OTHER SHORE” As usual, there are boundless shamanic meditation ceremonies and various yoga practices, even mushroom sessions (shrooms are legal to possess and consume in the Netherlands). The only question remaining is whether you need to bring your own mushrooms or if the Shaman provides them before embarking on the mushroom kingdom journey.

To reach the other shore, you either take a raft or make a long crossing on bridges. There’s no ferryman – people transport themselves, around 20 per raft, manually pulling the raft along with a rope. It’s reminiscent of the River Styx after death, except you don’t need to pay the ferryman. As you’re floating, you genuinely wonder whether you’re dead or still alive)) The special effects of rain, fog, and wind create a complete illusion of transitioning to another level. But seeing the joyful faces and smiles all around, the diverse crowd merrily pulling you to that shore, you realize – YOU’RE STILL ALIVE, AND LIFE IS FULL OF MEANING AND JOY!!!

The festival has three permanent dancefloors – the main stage, a chill-out area, and an alternative stage with live music. The main stage is pretty well-designed this time around. The layout has been finalized and adapted to the Dutch winds and changeable climate. A huge mass of people gets down during the main stage’s operating hours, mostly congregating here. Lineup: Hilight Tribe (Kosmik Hoboes), Hilight Tribe special unplugged (Kosmik Hoboes), GMS (Future Music), Govinda (Believe Lab) Atmos (Iboga Records), Shpongle DJ set by Raja Ram (Twisted Music), Tristan (Nano) KinDzaDza (Osom) Parasense (Parvati Records) Gaudi – Allstars Orchestra (Six Degrees), Raja Ram (T.I.P. Records), Animato (Hommega), James Monro (Nano), Imaginarium (Digital Om), X-Dream (Boshke Beats), Lifeforms (Iono), Ace Ventura (Iboga Records), Boom Sh,ankar (BMSS), Astrix (Hommega Records)

The organizers write about the main stage: “This is a sacred space where people unite as one with the music. As soon as you enter this space, you merge with the unified energy in one rhythm. Each day, artists and DJs act as guides in this cosmic journey. The shaman’s role is to lead participants into the inner space, connect them with nature and the entire cosmos.” The organizers invite real shamans from all over the world to create a special atmosphere before the festival. We’re left to take their word that there were supplications before the start and shamanic ceremonies for opening the portal.

ALTERNATIVE STAGE: Unlike recent years, the selection and format of this area strictly adhere to the Forest, Hitech, Psycore, and Darkpsy styles.
The organizers say: “We paid a lot of attention this year to ensuring every psychonaut feels right at home. The upgraded sound system and decor of the area help you fully immerse yourself in the journey.” Lineup: Boom Shankar (BMSS), Abra (Ourminds Records), Derango (Parvati Records), Para Halu (Psylife), D-Lerium (3rd bit), Psymax (3rd bit), Phibian (Trick Music), Philoso (Kamino), Paul B (3rd bit), Jahbo (Parvati Records), Oxidaksi – Amani (Desert Trax) (Kamino Records)……

CHILL-OUT If you need to recharge, the CHILL is just the place to wind down and come to your senses. In the middle of the chill area is a firepit, right in the center of the dancefloor. The decor is forest-style on stage. Hammocks, loungers, a view of the other shore, the bay, and wild ducks. The ducks float peacefully, barely paying any mind to the revelers, proudly traversing the expanse of the bay, quacking periodically. Overall, it’s all set up for a cozy hangout session. Lineup: Entheogenic (Universal Symbiosis Records), Indra (Maia Brasil Records), Anand (3rd bit), Kukan Dub Lagan (Sofa Beats), Dense (Chillgressive Tunes), Chillum Baba (Independent), Zen Baboon (Sofa Beats), Amani (Desert Trax), Oleg (S.U.N Festival), Robin Triskele (Triskele Management), Akasha Vibes (Techsafari Records), Master Margherita (Blue Hour Sounds)……

UNKNOWN DANCEFLOOR Go figure where… Looks like a kids’ playground at kindergartens. Wooden huts that people crawl into and do who-knows-what. Couldn’t fully grasp the musical direction. Experimental, minimal mixed with lounge. But everyone’s rejoicing, squealing, and grinning nonstop. This dancefloor also finds its audience.

There’s an Unknown Dancefloor with live music. Due to the rain, it wasn’t running constantly but was super energetic. Rock ‘n’ roll and ethno-rock with various new improvisational styles. Live guitars, basslines, drum kits, vocals – in short, very upbeat live performances with cheerful musicians. The transition between the Chillout and Market Zone goes through the Magic Forest. This magical woods is full of unexpected decor and lighting installations. People mainly trip out and space out here.

There’s a high concentration of people – some sleeping, some meditating. Joints, chilums – it’s all here.
No one’s bothering anyone, it’s pure bliss.

BAZAAR Or more precisely, the Market Zone is situated along the waterfront. There are fewer shops now, but it’s a selection of the best Goan labels like Flower of Life, Simbolika, PlazmaLab, and, of course, FluRAnet.

CINEMA There’s an open-air cinema screening strange, philosophical, and diverse psychedelic films.

FOOD This year, it’s been moved to a separate street, segregated from clothing and souvenirs, which is a plus. The food offerings range from falafel to organic fare. Plenty of fruits and Dutch cakes made with mushrooms and weed.

ART GALLERIES 650 square meters of an inflatable structure with a sexual undertone. The doors are shaped like vaginas. The design is unique – it maintains its form without a frame by pumping air inside. It’s like you’re inside an inflatable sphere. You dive into the vagina and end up in the womb of psychedelic art. At the center of the womb is a gallery of Ikhtianderson’s original works.
The content and curation is delightful. Artists from all over the world are exhibiting their pieces.

The PSY-FI organizers speak about the goal of their mission: “We want to create a space where you can enjoy art, culture, music, spiritual growth, and nature. A place of unity with one another. A place where people of all religious denominations meet and coexist. A space where we enhance our spiritual growth, a space where we’re free from prejudice and free to do as we please. We pay primary attention to the psychedelic subculture, based on love, unity, peace, and respect. We want to raise the level of awareness through programs and lectures.
Our true desire is for visitors to integrate the experience and understanding they’ve gained at the festival into their daily lives.