Exit - may it long continue (Exit Fest (Novi Sad))

Member Name: RWadeson

Product:	Exit Fest (Novi Sad)
Date:	18/05/09 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Setting, weather, music, organisation

Disadvantages: Spoilt and wasted English teenagers

Exit Fest: tickets = £75 for 4 days; camping £15 for 8 days

I'm not a particularly huge festival-goer, Exit was a shock to my system. As a chance to see Novi Sad, Belgrade and the Petrovaradin Fortress it is unique and very good value. As a venue for some of the world's best DJs and bands it is unbeatable.

There are however, certain useful things that I would pass on in order to make your experience worthwhile...

Getting there... You have to bear in mind that Serbia is still catching up after the atrocities that happened there in the not too distant past. Many areas are deprived and lacking the sort of facilities we may be used to. We opted to fly to Slovenia with Easyjet - a good call given the cheap fares. However, we then had a 13 hour train journey through Croatia to Belgrade. Not a good call! It was an experience that I'm glad I had, but if you do not like being a sardine in an old-fashioned train I suggest you fly direct to Belgrade with good old British Airways for approx £100.

Belgrade itself is a strange city - arriving on the train from the North allows you to see the shanty towns and the real devastation caused by the war. I was upset by this, but realised that by contributing to the economy I may help in some way. Belgrade station is a proper backpackers dream! Public toilets are stinking holes in the ground... That's an ammonia-filled experience I won't forget in a hurry!! Belgrade itself, once you begin to explore, is beautiful. There are great parks, artwork and stunning views over the Danube. We also experimented with the most obscure restaurant we could find - absolutely no English and some culinary delights such as 'Calf's head in tripe'... Getting to Novi Sad from Belgrade is a fairly straightforward train journey.

Novi Sad is a complete contrast to Belgrade - modern, bustling town with many chain stores such as 'Swatch' (that's the only one I can remember!). Being a university town, it is full of young people, there is a really nice vibe to the place.

The festival iteslf is set in the Petrovaradin Fortress, and amazing piece of history with complex undergound tunnels (which festival goers are steered away from fortunately!). Finding your way around is part of the experience - it's not easy, and you end up finding small stages in the most random places! This is part of the beauty of the festival.

The main stage area itself holds about 25,000 people - I saw the Prodigy there and I don't believe I will ever see anything to beat it! There is a Dance Arena, which holds about 15,000 people - open until 7am! Not an area for the fainthearted!

A really nice touch to finish off (I fear I am rambling) is the currency expecially created for the festival. Each coin is specific to one product - a pint of Tuborg, a bottle of water, a glass of wine, a can of energy drink, food. It's a great idea and makes the whole thing a lot simpler. Note: we discovered that the very dry wine makes a fantastic cocktail when mixed with energy drink!! Probably why I managed to stay up until 6/7am for each of the 3 nights.

In essence, if you like mainly dance music, a cheerful crowd and a bit of excitement in exploring somewhere new - you should definitely try Exit.

Summary: This festival takes a lot to beat!