A standout moment from Glastonbury 2023’s Shangri-La area emerged on Reddit’s r/glastonbury_festival community, capturing the festival’s raw energy at 5 AM on Sunday morning. The shot shows a group of festival-goers atop a decorated structure, one proudly raising a vivid red smoke flare as dawn breaks. The image slices through the quiet pre-dawn calm, spotlighting the festival’s untamed spirit and deep-hours revelry.
Shangri-La — known for its avant-garde, immersive ethos — thrives in the southeast corner of the festival grounds, hosting creative takeovers such as 20 Years of Risky Roadz, 25 Years of Defected Records, and Booty Bass in 2023. This environment fuels spontaneous, unlisted performances that keep the party raging beyond official set times. For example, Fred Again’s surprise Temple set in 2023 drew huge crowds despite no prior headline billing.
This photo is a testament to Glastonbury’s unique atmosphere at night: a blend of artistic expression, communal celebration, and radical inclusion. Comments on Reddit praised it as “a belter,” crystalizing how these moments define the festival’s legendary after-dark culture.
For a closer look into Shangri-La’s rich history and 2023 highlights, visit the official area guide: Glastonbury Shangri-La.
And to explore the secret sets and after-dark magic that paint Glastonbury’s nighttime canvas, see this insider feature: Inside Glastonbury After Dark.
Source: r/glastonbury_festival