From its humble beginnings as a scholar protest towards the Milosevic regime in 2000, Serbia’s EXIT has grown into one among Europe’s most beloved festivals. Its organizers as soon as once more reworked the historic Petrovaradin Fortress right into a vibrant gathering of music lovers from over 80 nations in 2024.
This 12 months’s competition was a testomony to music’s energy to unite throughout genres and generations. With over 210,000 attendees, EXIT introduced collectively an eclectic mixture of digital, rock, hip-hop and extra, all set towards the atmospheric backdrop of the fortress.
Day 1: Excessive-Power Beginnings
The competition kicked off with a mix of hip-hop and digital music. Gucci Mane’s dynamic efficiency on the Predominant Stage set the tone for the night time, his Southern entice beats energizing the group.
Then got here digital music legend Carl Cox, who took over the decks and delivered a masterful “Hybrid Live” set that showcased his influential techno. His efficiency, stuffed with deep basslines and hypnotic rhythms, reminded everybody why he stays a lynchpin of the dance music neighborhood.
Day 2: Nostalgia Meets Punk and Deep Digital Beats
The second day introduced a mixture of nostalgia and uncooked punk power. The Black Eyed Peas headlined with a set stuffed with international hits like “Where Is the Love?” and “I Gotta Feeling,” creating an enormous singalong ambiance. In the meantime, punk veterans The Exploited introduced their unfiltered power to the stage, igniting a distinct sort of fever pitch among the many crowd.
On the digital entrance, the mts Dance Area hosted Maceo Plex, whose deep, emotive techno set captivated. Identified for his capability to craft an atmospheric journey, Plex’s efficiency was stuffed with darkish, melodic undertones, tense build-ups and cathartic releases. The sector’s palpable power continued late into the night time, demonstrating EXIT’s dedication to showcasing numerous digital sounds.
Day 3: Guitars, Emotional Highs and Dancefloor Euphoria
The penultimate day was marked by highly effective guitar riffs and emotional moments. Tom Morello, guitarist of Rage Towards the Machine, delivered a standout efficiency that started with a tribute to the late nice Chris Cornell and transitioned right into a frenzied rendition of “Killing in the Name.” His set embodied the spirit of activism and revolt that defines EXIT.
In the meantime, digital music fans gathered on the Dance Area for a distinct sort of depth. Barry Can’t Swim provided a mix of euphoric melodies and intricate rhythms, setting the stage for Bonobo, whose multi-layered soundscapes took us on a mesmerizing journey by way of ambient, home and downtempo.
Over on the NSNS Stage, EDM.com Class of 2024 star Sara Landry delivered one of many competition’s greatest techno units, her hard-hitting beats and darkish soundscapes sustaining excessive power into the early hours. Her efficiency showcased the underground energy of the competition’s digital lineup, drawing a devoted crowd of techno fans who reveled in her unrelenting beats forward of her long-awaited debut album.
Day 4: A Soulful Conclusion to an Electrifying Journey
EXIT’s remaining day was a celebration of digital music’s range. South African dance music icon Black Espresso closed the competition with a dawn set on the mts Dance Area, his deep, soulful beats offering a serene but electrifying finish to the occasion. His capability to mix Afro-house rhythms with deep, resonant basslines curated an nearly non secular expertise as the primary rays of daylight pierced the Petrovaradin Fortress.
Distinctive Collaborations and Household Ties
A spotlight of the competition was the collaboration between digital heavyweights Classic Tradition and Argy, whose set showcased the seamless mixing of their distinctive types.
Moreover, the theme of household and legacy was current all through the fest. Tom Morello carried out along with his son, Roman, whereas Max Cavalera and his son Igor Junior introduced the drive of heavy metallic to the fortress, showcasing music’s energy to attach throughout generations.
Trying Forward to 2025
Because the competition concluded, pleasure already started constructing for EXIT’s twenty fifth anniversary in 2025. This 12 months’s occasion was greater than only a collection of performances; it was a celebration of music’s capability to bridge cultural divides, carry folks collectively and create unforgettable moments.
EXIT 2025 is scheduled for July 10-13. You could find out extra data right here.
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