Far from the tents and muddy fields of Glastonbury, Serbia’s iconic music festival EXIT is definitely not one to be missed by music fans worldwide, and regularly draws visitors from across the globe.
Set in the historic fortress of Petrovaradin, the venue itself is set against the incredible backdrop of the Danube river in the city of Novi Sad.
EXIT was the first festival to open back up after the Covid-19 pandemic after being founded 22 years ago in 2000, then set at the University Park as a student movement as they fought for democracy and freedom in Serbia.
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The fest has scooped two major awards, being crowned Best Major Festival at the 2014 and 2017 European Festival Awards.
But if you’re not keen on splashing out on flights just yet, keep reading – because this is no Glastonbury (£9.50 for a mocktail anyone?)
In fact, you can buy a pint for around two English pounds. You’ll save on food, too, with a generous slice of pizza setting you back as little as £1.50.
So should you make it your goal to attend EXIT 2023? We think so. Here’s why.
Line-up
(Image: Marko Ristic)
It’s hard to discuss a music festival without a nod to its line-up, and EXIT 2022 had a whole heap of big names.
Australian rapper Iggy Azalea turned up the heat with her on-stage twerking, while DJ and Taylor Swift’s ex Calvin Harris attracted one of the biggest crowds of the four day event.
Also worth a mention are Afrojack (of Give Me More fame), Jax Jones and West Midlands based screamo band Napalm Death.
X Factor winner James Arthur was also slated to appear, but pulled out just a day before things kicked off.
(Image: Marco Ristic)
There’s plenty for the EDM fan to enjoy, with drum n’ bass, hip-hop and even reggae spread out across 15 stages. The most popular of these by far was the No Sleep stage, which has managed to spawn its own annual festival in Belgrade.
Honestly, EXIT is an eclectic mix, which is definitely for the best. You can’t turn a corner without hearing a completely different type of music, and you’ll definitely discover – and love – artists you’d never heard of before.
The Visa Fusion stage was a fun place to hop for the more mainstream fan, and UK-based rock quartet Coach Party particularly managed to grab my attention with their 2000s sound and bad girl lyrics.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were also on hand to provide a traditionally moody come-down for revellers, and if you’re feeling bopped out at any point, a trip to the Chill Out Zone can fix you right up.
Setting
Though your feet might ache after four nights of trekking through it – plus up cobbled hills to reach it – Petrovaradin fortress is well worth the journey.
With spectacular views over the Danube and the glistening lights of the Novi Sad skyline, there’s no better place for an ethereal experience like EXIT.
Settlements on the land have been found to date back to 19,000 BC, with the first conception of the fortress being built by the Romans. It was a key location during the Austrian-Turkish wars, and was even once the site of a monastery.
While there, look out for the ‘reversed clock’, which has its minute and hour hands reversed in order for fishermen on the Danube to see the time from a long distance away.
Stages now take up every nook and cranny of the venue. You’ll wind through tunnels, enter glorious European-style terraces featuring hole-in-the-wall restaurants and pass over humped bridges while music coming in from every angle.
If you opt for a VIP package, you’re treated to sky-high views of the main stage, along with exclusive bars. It’s definitely worth the extra expense, if just for the ‘fast lane’ which skirts along the huge crowd at the main stage and gets you through unscathed.
Cashless system
(Image: Ervin Kovac)
If there’s one thing I struggled with at EXIT, it was the cashless system. Though this might appeal to folks who want to set a spending limit, it just made everything… a bit of a pain.
First, you need to head to a Visa top-up tent, where you pay 150 dinar – about £1 – for a card.
You can then load the card with cash or by debit, and spend away.
Only thing is, there’s no easy way to check your balance, so unless you join one of the endless queues – and I mean endless, this ain’t no British festival – only to find out you’ve run out of money, you’re snookered.
That said, it is very cheap. Though tickets can set you back anywhere from £98 per person, you more than make it up when it comes to food and drink, and you’ll be left with plenty of dinar left over.
The Woov app can help you find your way around, making it easier to keep track of which artists are playing and when, and offering you a mobile map to take you around the place.
Other bits
(Image: Marco Ristic)
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Of course, if you’re looking for a break from rocking out, there’s still plenty to occupy your time. Get your hair braided or glitter make-up done at one of the many stalls, or check out the various zones on offer.
There’s food aplenty, too – from sweet pancakes to corndogs, something is sure to tickle your fancy.
EXIT isn’t just about the beats; it’s equally about activism. During the opening ceremony, a couple were brought onto the stage before a firework spectacular – one Ukrainian, one Russian – for a snog in front of literally tens of thousands.
Signs preach peace, unity and ‘one love’, and the artists are also sure to give your self-confidence a bit of a boost while you’re juggling £2 beers and working up a sweat in the crowd.
Serbian people are incredibly friendly, and you’ll likely find yourself chatting to complete strangers who love the vibe just as much as you do.
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