Following the pandemic, rave culture had plummeted into Egyptian darkness. It was a time when numerous artists and event organizers alike were caught in a haze concerning the fate of their scheduled shows.
But amidst the widespread blackout, EXIT was at the vanguard in the battle against COVID-19. From implementing unwavering COVID prevention safeguards to arranging negotiations with key decision-makers, they powered through with every effort to reclaim what the current colossus of politics has taken away from us: our freedom to convene.
And sure enough, in 2021, EXIT prevailed as the first major European festival to take place at full capacity and without social distancing, amassing over 180,000 visitors from over 70 countries. This was a revolutionary feat that would go on to be heralded by some of the most prominent magazines at present, including Billboard, Pollstar, and Variety.
But in the success enjoyed, the two-time winner of the EU Festival Awards has crossed the Rubicon, and Dušan Kovačević, the founder and director of EXIT has no plans of lapsing into inertia. Speaking about this year’s event he said this:
“The fact that we successfully organized the first major festival in the world after the pandemic gives us great confidence and optimism for 2022. Last year’s edition also gave us a huge boost in terms of visitors and media, so we decided to further raise the level of the lineup and to offer audiences around the world one of our strongest and most diverse editions ever.”
Living up to the forecast given, this year’s festival will see more than 1000 artists play at over 40 stages and zones within the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia (the festival’s motherland and base since inception); and leading as a forerunner of the 60 artists just announced is none other than the world’s most successful electronic music producer and singer-songwriter Calvin Harris. Boasting a streak of records and awards, his name is the Midas touch to this lineup so far.
Joining him, the main stage will also be marbled with a plethora of talented artists from different backgrounds, each likewise specializing in varying genres. Some of whom include the crooning Australian rock band Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds as a headliner; English pop singer-songwriter and winner of the ninth X-Factor series, James Arthur; television personality and house music producer Joel Corry; Finnish post-hardcore band Blind Channel; Australian rapper Masked Wolf; American deep house producer and singer ZHU; house music hitmaker Jax Jones and many more.
Graced in the past by the likes of Carl Cox, David Guetta, deadmau5 and many other legends within the electronic music scene, the highly coveted Dance Arena will see performances by the soulful house music veteran Honey Dijon, Maceo Plex, Reinier Zonneveld, Anfisa Letyago, Monolink and a b2b of ANNA and Sama’ Abdulhadi, along with many more.
Many acts whirling about in the metalcore-deathcore sphere will also play this year, including Bury Tomorrow, Nervosa and Incantation.
For their expertly curated lineups and effective activism, the critically acclaimed EXIT festival has remained for the last decade, a trailblazer and beacon of hope to the festival season. And just from what we know so far about its 21st edition, it may not be too much to say that the forenamed festival might end up being one of the greatest highlights of this year in the event sector.
EXIT 2k22 will take place this summer, July 7–10th. You can check out the full lineup below and collect your tickets here.
Main Stage:
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Calvin Harris
James Arthur
Joel Corry
Jax Jones
Masked Wolf
ZHU
ACRAZE
Shouse
Sepultura
Napalm Death
Blind Channel
Molchat Doma
Dance Arena:
Honey Dijon
Maceo Plex
Reinier Zonneveld
Denis Sulta
Anfisa Letyago
Mathame
Satori
Monolink
Brina Knauss
ANNA b2b Sama’ Abdulhadi
Other Stages:
Marky Ramone
Djaikovski
She Past Away
Bury Tomorrow
Discharge
Incantation
Moscow Death Brigade
Nervosa
Tankard
- Calvin Harris And More Than 1000 Other Acts: EXIT Surmounts COVID-19 Restrictions And Prepares For Its Strongest Edition Yet - March 5, 2022
- Voodoo Village Is Leveling Up For 2022: First 20 Of 80+ Acts Announced - March 2, 2022
- Swedish House Mafia And Sting Unite For A Historic Crossover In Their Latest Collaboration “Redlight” - February 25, 2022
