South Asians are making their mark at Glastonbury.

Glastonbury is gearing up to host an exciting new space this year - Arrivals, a celebration of South Asian culture. For those familiar with the festival, you may have heard of Shangri-La, a space dedicated to self-expression and activism. Well, this year, the organizers are taking it up a notch with the debut of Arrivals. And don't worry, this space is curated by a full South Asian team, so we can leave our "how to spot cultural appropriation" handbooks at home.

Collaborating with Dialled In, Going South, and Daytimers - all South Asian-run organizations - Arrivals promises to bring together some of the most powerful and radical beats. The stage itself is designed by Shankho Chaudhuri, Esha Sikander, and Shirin Naveed, with illustrations by Osheen Siva. It's going to be a sight to behold.

Expect to be transported to an alien jungle planet as Arrivals bridges nostalgia and futurism in a new South Asian aesthetic. It's a powerful metaphor, as immigrants have often been referred to as "aliens," and we appreciate the acknowledgement. The lineup is jam-packed with amazing artists, including the iconic DJ Ritu, who will surely have us losing our senses just like she did at Southall's Boiler Room in 2023.

But the nostalgia doesn't stop there - Manara will be spinning the best remixes of our favorite Bollywood songs, taking us back to those unforgettable moments on the dance floor. And let's not forget about the other incredible artists like Anish Kumar, Gracie T, and Nabihah Iqbal, who will transport us to all kinds of alien planets.

It's a monumental moment for UK festival culture, as declared by Bobby Friction, co-founder of Going South and BBC Asian Network. He's been a driving force in championing underground British Asian culture, and he's excited to see it take center stage at Glastonbury. He's also thrilled to see a mostly female and non-binary lineup, as festivals have traditionally been male-dominated.

Arrivals is more than just a music space - it's a portal for all kinds of aliens, time-traveling immigrants, and anyone seeking asylum from the rest of the festival. And the only VISA needed is an open heart and a love for music that will change your life. As Timbaland famously said, "I'm very influenced by Bollywood," and we can see the impact of South Asian music in some of the biggest hits today.

It's about time we see this culture fully embraced in mainstream music, and we're already seeing it with collaborations between Diljit Dosanjh and Saweetie, and performances with Ed Sheeran. As Bobby Friction puts it, "the future has already arrived at Arrivals!" So let's get ready to dance, sing, and celebrate South Asian culture at Glastonbury.

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