EXIT organisers say this year’s 25th anniversary is set to be the last edition to take place in Serbia, citing “undemocratic pressures”.

Uncertainty around the festival’s future surfaced earlier this year after the festival team warned of “mounting pressure and threats aimed at silencing our right to free expression” after publicly aligning itself with anti-corruption student protesters in the country.

The mass demonstrations erupted in November 2024 after 16 people were killed when a roof collapsed at a newly renovated train station in Novi Sad, home of EXIT since 2001.

Now, a spokesperson for the festival, which was launched in 2000 as part of a student movement across Serbia, tells IQ that “prior threats of political pressure and the risk of public funding cuts have materialised as reality”.

“Since we publicly stood with the students of Serbia in their fight for a freer and more just society, we have been subjected to immense financial and political pressures aimed at stripping us of our fundamental rights to freedom of thought and expression,” says a statement published on its social media channels.

The festival says subsidies have been withdrawn from the Serbian government, Ministry of Tourism and Youth, various Provincial Secretariats, Novi Sad city departments, and state-owned sponsors, including the main sponsor of the Dance Arena which had supported EXIT since 2002.

“If this is truly the last EXIT at the Fortress, let it be unforgettable. Let it be our strongest yet”

“Despite being completely cut off from public funding at all levels of government, and with some sponsors forced to withdraw under state pressure, we refuse to be silenced,” continues the statement. “That is why we had to make the hardest decision in our history. This year’s anniversary edition will be the last to take place in our home country, under these circumstances.”

The 2025 event will be held at the Petrovaradin Fortress between 10-13 July with acts including DJ Snake, Eric Prydz, The Prodigy, Amelie Lens, Sex Pistols ft. Frank Carter, Tiësto and Nina Kraviz.

With the goal of turning this year’s festival into a “global statement for freedom and unity”, organisers have asked for support from artists and their teams, whether via a “powerful headlining set, a surprise appearance, a video message to our audience, or helping spread the word”.

A crowdfunding campaign to support the future of the organisation and festival is also said to be in the works.

“Our team is more determined than ever to make this edition the most emotional and unforgettable yet,” adds the festival. “With this, we’re not just defending EXIT, we’re defending the fundamental right to freedom of speech for all cultural voices.

“If this is truly the last EXIT at the Fortress, let it be unforgettable. Let it be our strongest yet.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

AEG’s European Festival Division chief executive Jim King will star in the keynote interview at the 2025 International Festival Forum (IFF) in London.

From American Express Presents BST Hyde Park and Uber One Presents All Points East in London to Rock en Seine in Paris, King’s European festival team entertains over one million festival goers each year. The interview, on Wednesday 10 September 2025, will draw lessons from King’s long career in the industry while also highlighting key areas of development for the festival sector.

The session takes place as part of the world’s top gathering of booking agents and music festivals, which will run between 9-11 September at IFF’s Central London campus, spanning Omeara and Novotel London Bridge.

The event offers 1,000 delegates the chance to expand their network, do deals for next year’s festival season, see the hottest up and coming talent in showcases and discuss the biggest issues facing the festival business in an enhanced conference programme.

The keynote will draw on King’s long career in the industry, while also highlighting key areas of development for the festival sector

On Thursday, the leaders of EXIT Festival will deliver a special session, as the Serbian event celebrates its 25th anniversary and mulls exile from the country.

Co-founders Dušan Kovačević and Ivan Milivojev, and senior talent Booker Jennifer Cochrane, will appear in the Thursday keynote moderated by CAA’s Maria May.

It has also been confirmed that Spain and Ireland will take centre stage for this year’s International Showcase, set for Wednesday 10 September, 8pm-11pm, in the IFF campus. The full line-up will be announced over the summer, along with the agency showcases.

Key event partners include Tysers Live, iTicket Global, Lowline Entertainment Group and LMP Group.

For more information on the event click here.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Bridge Conference 2025 has revealed details of its full programme ahead of the inaugural event in Croatia later this month.

Taking place from 20-22 May, Bridge will be hosted at the luxurious five-star Kempinski Hotel in Istria where organisers have persuaded some of the world’s most influential voices from the music and tech sectors to share their thoughts for an event they hope will “spark powerful new connections and unlock global opportunities.”

Among the speaker line-up will be Maria May (CAA), Indira Paganotto (ARTCORE), Matthias Strobel (MusicTech Germany), Steve Hogan (WME), Cindy Castillo (Mad Cool), Juan Arnau (Elrow), Dušan Kovačević (EXIT), Julie Pilat (FYI.AI), Ivan Milivojev (EXIT), Turo Pekari (MusicTech Finland), Ruud Berends (IFF), Nick Mathews (Wasserman Music), Jess Kinn (One Fiinix Live), and more.

Topics for the Bridge debates will include AI, blockchain, emerging technologies, global market expansion, artist booking strategies, sustainability, and new models of fan engagement.

A major highlight of the Bridge programme will be the two-part Data vs. Gut series

Presented by Serbia’s EXIT Festival, Bridge is aiming to unite some of the sharpest minds in music and tech to forge groundbreaking collaborations and tackle critical industry challenges, to ensure a sustainable, innovative future.

A major highlight of the Bridge programme will be the two-part Data vs. Gut series, examining how the music industry navigates between instinct and statistics in critical decision-making. In Data vs. Gut 1: Navigating Analytics and Instinct in Artist Selection and Booking, European festival bookers and execs will explore how programming decisions are made in a world increasingly driven by data. The conversation will continues in Data vs. Gut 2: Navigating Analytics and Instinct in Artist Positioning and Market Penetration, where agency heavyweights will unpack the strategies behind building artists’ global trajectories.

Expanding the conversation into the digital frontier, Limitless Capacity: Unlocking Global Audiences Through Digital Worlds will uncover how virtual platforms are transforming fan engagement and global reach. Meanwhile Quantum Leap in Audience Growth Through AI & Data-Driven Marketing promises to offer insights into how festivals, managers, and artists can supercharge their reach and engagement.

Conference keynotes will feature ITB co-founder Barry Dickins, and FKP Scorpio chief Folkert Koopmans

The conference’s keynotes will allow delegates to tap into decades of industry wisdom, when legendary agent Barry Dickins (ITB) reflects on his six decades in the business in conversation with Greg Parmley, while FKP Scorpio’s Folkert Koopmans (FKP Scorpio) will unpack the journey behind building one of Europe’s biggest live music companies in an in-depth conversation with IQ Magazine’s James Drury.

Festival innovation will be a key theme throughout Bridge, with the Festival VR Experience Activation – an immersive showcase originally launched at Expo Dubai – kicking off the programme with EXIT Festival’s bold vision for the future of live events. And Matthew Hoag of Interstellar.plus will lead the panel The Next-Gen Festival: How AI and Emerging Tech Are Revolutionizing Live Music Experiences, featuring creative pioneers from Sila Sveta, Arcadia Spectacular, and Elrow.

Full details for the three-day event are available on the Bridge website, while a limited number of tickets, which include a free pass to the 22-25 May Sea Star Festival in nearby Umag, are also still available.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Organisers of Serbia’s EXIT Festival have told IQ that the event may be forced to leave the country due to its stance in the current student-led protests.

Mass demonstrations have gathered momentum in the four months since 15 people were killed when a roof collapsed at a newly renovated train station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-biggest city and the home of EXIT.

Many Serbians blame the collapse on corruption and incompetence linked to President Aleksandar Vucic’s decade in power and the neo-liberal SNS party.

As a festival born from a student movement across Serbia, the EXIT team has publicly aligned itself with the protestors and provided them with food, sleeping bags and other necessities.

Now, organisers says that this year’s festival may be the last in Serbia, its home of 25 years, due to “mounting pressure and threats aimed at silencing our right to free expression”.

“For 25 years, EXIT has been a symbol of freedom and positive social change, born as a student and youth movement for peace and democracy in Serbia and the Balkans,” organisers told IQ.

“If we are forced to leave, we will do so with our heads held high, carrying the same spirit of independence and solidarity”

“Soon after its inception, we grew into one of the world’s largest music festivals, bringing multiple Best European Festival awards to Serbia, along with nearly €300 million in tourism revenue,” say organisers in a statement to IQ.

“To our deep regret, since standing in solidarity with students in their ongoing fight for a fairer, more just, and tolerant society, we have faced mounting pressure and threats aimed at silencing our right to free expression. As a result, we are now seriously considering leaving Serbia.

“However, we owe our hometown—and our devoted audience across the globe—one final dance on the Petrovaradin Fortress. That’s why our entire team is more determined than ever to make this year’s edition the most emotional and unforgettable one yet. If we are forced to leave, we will do so with our heads held high, carrying the same spirit of independence and solidarity wherever we go next.”

EXIT Festival was launched in 2000 as part of a student movement across Serbia, which played its part in bringing down Slobodan Milošević, former president of Serbia and convicted war criminal.

After the Yugoslavian general election in 2000, the festival moved to the Petrovaradin Fortress in 2001 where it has remained.

The 25th anniversary edition of EXIT is due to take place 10–13 July with acts including Eric Prydz, Amelie Lens, Sex Pistols ft Frank Carter, Tiësto, Nina Kraviz and more.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Bridge has unveiled the first wave of speakers for its inaugural conference, set to take place this May on the Adriatic coast of Croatia.

Presented by Serbia’s EXIT Festival and a board composed of some of the top European music executives, Bridge is aiming to become the leading event at the intersection of the music and tech industries.

Among the first confirmed speakers for the exclusive event are Folkert Koopmans (CEO, FKP Scorpio), Maria May (Head of electronic, CAA), Indira Paganotto (DJ, Producer, and Founder, ARTCORE), Matthias Strobel (President, MusicTech Germany), Steve Hogan (Senior Agent, WME) and Greg Parmley (Head, ILMC).

Also joining the speaker lineup are Cindy Castillo (Deputy Director, Mad Cool), Juan Arnau (Founder & CEO, Elrow), Dušan Kovačević (Co-Founder and CEO, EXIT), Julie Pilat (CGO, FYI.AI, and former Apple Music exec), Ivan Milivojev (Co-Founder, EXIT), Turo Pekari (Founder, MusicTech Finland), Ruud Berends (Co-Founder and Head of Agenda, IFF), Nick Mathews (Senior Agent, Wasserman Music), Jess Kinn (Senior Agent, One Fiinix Live) and more.

“This is where future-defining partnerships are forged, where innovation meets opportunity”

“We are delighted to unveil the first wave of incredible speakers for the Bridge Conference,” says Jennifer Cochrane, CEO of Bridge Conference.

“This is where future-defining partnerships are forged, where innovation meets opportunity, and where the Adriatic coastline provides the perfect setting for both business and creativity to thrive.”

In addition the exploring the future of the music industry, the conference will also explore how technology is reshaping live entertainment.

Leading tech pioneers and companies will contribute to discussions on the latest technologies in the space like AI, blockchain, and Web3, highlighting their impact on industry growth. Attendees will gain insider insights, forge strategic partnerships, and uncover new income streams in an environment built for meaningful interactions.

Bridge will take place between 20–22 May at the five-star Kempinski Hotel in Istria, a Croatian region renowned for its rich history, culture, and world-class gastronomy. For passes, packages and more information, visit Bridge Conference.

EXIT founder & director Dušan Kovačević recently spoke to IQ and Yourope’s European Festival Report ahead of the event’s 25th anniversary edition. Read the full interview here.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

The European Festival Report (EFR) 2024, a packed annual summary of the biggest trends, happenings, and initiatives on the continent’s festival scene, was published in December.

In this excerpt from this indispensable guide, EXIT Festival founder & director Dušan Kovačević discusses the festival’s independent status, the impact of rising costs, and the value of face-to-face gatherings for young populations.

How did things go at EXIT this summer?
The 2024 edition was a resounding success, filled with unforgettable moments and unmatched energy from everyone involved. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming the unique spirit of EXIT.

This year’s event was packed with unforgettable moments. For me, seeing Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine performing live was a surreal experience. Their DNA is so closely aligned with EXIT’s spirit, and they’ve been on our wish list since the foundation of the festival. I even dove into the mosh pit during Killing in the Name – it was a moment I had been waiting for for 24 years!

Our legendary Dance Arena also lived up to its reputation, with electrifying performances from Carl Cox, Bonobo, and Black Coffee that kept the energy high all night. It was truly an amazing edition, and we’re excited to carry this momentum into our 25th anniversary next year.

“EXIT has been a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of their nationality, race, religion, or background”

What challenges does the festival industry face and how are you overcoming them?
The biggest challenge is undoubtedly the galloping inflation impacting every aspect of festival production. From artist fees and logistics to infrastructure and operational costs, prices have been rising sharply year after year, making it increasingly difficult to balance quality and sustainability.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an independent festival in the current landscape?
Being an independent festival gives us the creative freedom to design EXIT exactly as we envision it, without the pressure of reporting to investment funds or large corporations that now own most major festivals. This autonomy allows us to innovate, take risks, and focus on what truly matters, and not just Excel sheets. For example, had we not been independent, we would never have managed to become the first major festival in the world to take place after the pandemic in 2021.

However, operating as an independent also means navigating the complexities of the industry without the financial backing or infrastructure that larger corporate entities enjoy. In today’s landscape – marked by rising costs and increased competition – it can be challenging to maintain sustainability while continuing to grow.

That said, our independence allows us to stay agile and connect more authentically with our audience, which we believe is one of EXIT’s greatest strengths. It’s a balancing act, but our independence is also our identity – something we deeply cherish and will continue to embrace. I truly believe that independence will become one of the greatest advantages for festivals in the years to come, especially as younger generations increasingly value it.

“In an era dominated by digital interactions, festivals provide a rare space for people to engage face-to-face”

Can you share some of the DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) measures or initiatives you have in place to ensure EXIT is welcoming for everyone?
Since its inception, EXIT has been a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of their nationality, race, religion, or background. EXIT played a pivotal role in the early 2000s, bringing together young people from the war-torn Balkan States for the first time in over a decade. This made EXIT a symbol of reconciliation, unity, and hope for a brighter future.

Mental health initiatives have been a core focus for years, as we firmly believe that festivals are vital for the mental well-being of young people – a fact that became especially evident during their absence throughout the pandemic.

We are particularly proud of the Life is Live campaign, launched in partnership with UNICEF in 2023. This initiative addresses mental health by identifying digital dependency as one of the most dangerous addictions facing today’s youth. It highlights the irreplaceable value of real live experiences and the importance of human connection.

In 2024, the campaign evolved to focus on the paradox of our hyperconnected yet increasingly lonely digital lives.

“Festivals like EXIT remain vital cultural touchstones”

What role do festivals play in people’s cultural lives?
Festivals play an immense role on many levels in our societies and have become an essential part of the cultural life of young people. However, if I had to highlight one key aspect, it would be their role as one of the few remaining massive social gatherings for young people. In an era dominated by digital interactions, festivals provide a rare space for people to engage in real, face-to-face experiences. These kinds of experiences are becoming increasingly rare, which is why festivals are more important than ever. They offer a space where people step away from their screens and immerse themselves in the present moment.

In a world where digital spaces dominate, festivals like EXIT remain vital cultural touchstones. They remind us of the irreplaceable value of live, human connection and the joy that comes from truly being present with others.

The third edition of the European Festival Report, from IQ and festival association Yourope, is available to read online for free.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

As part of its forthcoming 25th anniversary celebrations, EXIT Festival has unveiled a new multidisciplinary music conference. Bridge will take place from 20-22 May in Umag, Croatia with the aim of bringing together business leaders from the music and technology sectors.

Organisers emphasise that the event will connect global promoters, artists, managers, and agents with tech leaders to explore how technologies like AI, blockchain, Web3, and VR can elevate the music industry and unlock new income streams.

“In a time of rapid change and an uncertain economic environment, staying updated with the latest industry developments is crucial for competitiveness and growth” says Jenni Cochrane, CEO of Bridge conference.

Alongside Cochrane, the Bridge board features prominent figures such as EXIT founder Dušan Kovačević and Ivan Milivojev; head of Networking Music International AB and IFF co-founder Ruud Berends; and Tixbase founder Emil R. Ljesnjanin.

“The concept behind Bridge is ‘La Dolce Vita – bridging business and pleasure’.”

The advisory board features Maria May, Head of Electronic at CAA, Steve Hogan, senior agent at WME, Julie Pilat, former Apple Music exec and President of Music at Invisible Narratives, Greg Parmley head of ILMC/IFF, Holger Jan Schmidt General Secretary of YOUROPE, and Sarah Jane Nicholson, MD of Paradise Worldwide.

The event will take place on the Adriatic coast at the 5* Kempinski Hotel in Croatia’s Istrian region. Alongside the bridging music and technology, Bridge will serve as a networking hub for music industry leaders from key regions worldwide.

“The conference promises not just business insights on the future of the music industry, but also a taste of the region’s famed gastronomy,” says Cochrane. “The concept behind Bridge is ‘La Dolce Vita – bridging business and pleasure’. Bridge will foster key relationships and conversations and set to a unique culinary and cultural backdrop.”

The conference will directly precede the seventh edition of the EXIT-backed Sea Star Festival, set for 22-25 May in Umag. Previous editions of Sea Star has featured artists including Prodigy, Wu-Tang-Clan, Paul Kalkbrenner, Amelie Lens and Fatboy Slim.

EXIT has twice been the recipient of the best major festival gong at the European Festival Awards. “We’re planning a quantum leap for EXIT with numerous new features and projects for the 25^th anniversary,” Kovačević told IQ following this year’s edition. “We’re gearing up for the strongest and most exciting year yet.”

The programme for Bridge Conference will be released early in 2025, and invites are being sent to selected individuals. Attendance is limited to just 200 participants and interested parties are encouraged to pre-register.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

EXIT chief Dušan Kovačević has given IQ a sneak preview of the Serbian festival’s ambitious 25th anniversary plans following the “resounding success” of this year’s event.

Held at Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, from 10-14 July, EXIT 2024 starred Black Eyed Peas, Tom Morello, John Newman, Gucci Mane, Carl Cox, Artbat and Maceo Plex, among others.

Kovačević says feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive” and praises the “energy and enthusiasm” of all in attendance.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is the ‘Starseeds’ theme of this year’s festival,” he tells IQ. “EXIT began 24 years ago as a youth movement for peace and freedom, and this theme aimed to gather people from around the world who are committed to changing the old matrix of greed, wars, and environmental destruction. Our goal is to unite them in bringing forth a new narrative we call the ‘New Earth’.”

“And probably the thing I’m the most proud of is the fact that after 24 years we still manage to remain independent.”

Intriguingly, Kovačević says next year’s milestone edition will involve a “quantum leap” as organisers bid to take the gathering to “the next level”.

“We’re planning a quantum leap for EXIT with numerous new features and projects”

“We’re planning a quantum leap for EXIT with numerous new features and projects,” he explains. “Among these are the opening of the EXIT Museum in Novi Sad, launching our own music and tech conference, ‘Bridge’, at our Sea Star festival in Croatia, and a collaboration with EXPO, which will take place in Belgrade in 2027.

“We also plan to release a documentary about the festival and introduce many more exciting initiatives. We’re gearing up for the strongest and most exciting year yet.”

Four-day tickets sold out in advance, and Kovačević describes public demand for the 2024 event – which attracted fans from more than 100 countries – as “exceptional”.

“We introduced several new features to enhance the festival experience,” he adds. “The first major addition was the special Day 0, on which we celebrated the birthday of Nikola Tesla, which essentially extended the festival by a day this year. Our main stage was also renamed to Tesla Universe in honour of the Serbian-American inventor and one of the greatest minds that ever lived.

“Additionally, the open-air cinema made a return to the festival, featuring movies dedicated to Bob Marley, Liam Gallagher and other legends. Petrovaradin Fortress is a great venue for shapeshifting, so this year many stages were expanded and repositioned to accommodate larger crowds and enhance the overall experience.”

“We grew from activism, so it’s equally important for us to raise the consciousness of young people as it is to entertain them”

Nonetheless, EXIT is not immune to the travails of the wider festival industry since returning from Covid.

“By far the biggest challenge for us and the entire festival industry is the inflation of all costs associated with production of the festival,” says Kovačević. “Prices are going up year by year and it’s becoming really difficult to cope with that.”

With the backing of European Festival Association Yourope, EXIT teamed with UNICEF to launch the LIFE IS LIVE campaign, which aims to tackle the problem of digital addiction. And Kovačević is adamant the event will never stray too far from its roots as it moves forward.

“Our ambition for EXIT Festival is to continue evolving as a premier destination for music and culture lovers worldwide, while also shedding light on important social topics, from environmental protection to combating digital and other forms of addiction,” he concludes. “We grew from activism, so it’s equally important for us to raise the consciousness of young people as it is to entertain them.

“EXIT is more than just a festival, it has always been a movement and a community. We are committed to creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together and inspire positive change.”

The 25th anniversary EXIT is set for 10-13 July 2025.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Marking European Mental Health Week, European festival association Yourope, has called on its members to support the LIFE IS LIVE campaign, which aims to highlight the importance of in-person interaction for preserving youth mental health.

Serbia’s EXIT Festival, which returns to Novi Sad from 10-14 July, and UNICEF have launched the LIFE IS LIVE campaign to tackle the problem of digital addiction. It is estimated that more than a billion people worldwide suffer from digital addiction and that it now surpasses all other forms of addiction combined, including alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.

The current estimate of the average time spent in front of mobile, computer, and TV screens amounts to an astounding 20 years of one’s life, while the average mobile phone user touches their device 2,617 times a day.

Giving an advantage to digital identity and spending more time online than in the real world, with the illusion of connection and friendship without real closeness has led to young people being lonelier, more depressed, and more anxious than ever before. The rapid evolution of technology has made it challenging for experts to keep pace. As we enter the era of Web3, the Metaverse, and artificial intelligence, the gravity of the issue will only accelerate.

“Music festivals, as one of the few remaining places of mass socialising in real life, have the responsibility to support their audiences”

“The incredible extent of digital addiction represents one of the biggest challenges that humanity has ever faced,” says EXIT Festival founder and CEO Dušan Kovačević. “Music festivals, as one of the few remaining places of mass socialising in real life, have the responsibility to support their audiences and show them that the true beauty of life can only be found in the real world.”

In a message to European festivals, Yourope adds: “The very essence of music festivals is to bring a genuine, authentic, and powerful human experience at the highest level. Considering the potential and scale of just one major festival, it becomes clear what a significant positive impact it can have on the long-term well-being of hundreds of thousands of individuals and even entire generations.

“We are extremely happy to support such an amazing cause like LIFE IS LIVE. Our long-time members EXIT initiated this wonderful campaign focusing on one of the most important issues of our time. Since digitalisation is playing such a big role in the development of our society today, we need to embrace the life we share with others. In person, for mutual benefit, to get inspired, to create memories, to stay sane!

“Festivals are the best possible environment for these experiences. Which means we are the ones that help especially young people to enhance mental health with real life experiences and magical moments they share with friends and will never forget.”

LIFE IS LIVE is offering two different campaign approaches that European festivals can use. “A true story lasts a lifetime” is the slogan for the initial phase of the campaign. Its goal is to underscore the irreplaceable moments which make life authentic and can only be experienced live. The campaign aims to emphasise to young people that seeking these moments in real life is way more important than creating “perfect” photos for socials.

The second step “Last seen” now points out that nothing can replace the feeling of a mutual experience – in person. And since festivals are the perfect place and opportunity for that, they invite young people to share these experiences.

The concept of being “last seen” online has become one of the primary pieces of information people seek about us on social media and other communication platforms. In this digital age, EXIT and UNICEF’s campaign serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of authentic life experiences. When did we last feel adored and loved? When was the last time someone kissed or hugged us? When did we last dance? The message from EXIT Festival and UNICEF is: let’s stay truly connected, because life is live. They ask: Are we, paradoxically, more connected yet lonelier than ever?

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Festival lineup announcements have continued to come thick and fast in Europe and the United States as this summer’s calendar takes shape.

Serbia’s EXIT Festival has unveiled its first 24 acts for its 2024 edition, EXIT Starseeds, which is set for the Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, from 10-14 July.

The lineup is headlined by the Black Eyed Peas, Tom Morello, and Gucci Mane, with other acts to include DJ Carl Cox, Bonobo, KlangKuenstler, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Barry Can’t Swim, Franky Wah, and Mene. In addition, the Tesla Universe Stage will showcase the likes of Kenya Grace, Iniko, Rudimental, John Newman, The Exploited, Dub FX, Willy William, Ian Asher, and Steve Angello, and Joker Out.

Villagers of Ioannina City and Lakeside X are the first names confirmed for Visa Fusion Stage, while the Explosive Stage will feature Coroner and Nemesis.

Held under the slogan “Awakening our Superpowers Together”, EXIT Starseeds also has a special Starseeds Takeover performance on its Tesla Universe Stage reserved for day zero.

Elsewhere, Czechia’s Rock for People, which will be headlined by The Prodigy, The Offspring, Bring Me The Horizon and Yungblud, has added to its lineup. The event, which will take place at Park 360, Hradec Králové, from 12-15 June, will also star Sum 41, Avril Lavigne, Dogstar, Bad Omens, Corey Taylor, Enter Shikari, Parkway Drive, Bombay Bicycle Club, Body Count ft. Ice-T, Dogstar, Neck Deep, Thy Art Is Murder, Missio and Royal Republic, among others.

Meanwhile, Craig David, Ne-Yo, DJ Spoony, So Solid Crew and Shola Ama are the first acts unveiled for Ashton Gate Presents BS3. The new multi-artist event in Bristol, UK, will feature ten acts across two stages on 22 June.

In the US, Boston Calling will be held from 24-26 May in Allston, MA, headlined by Ed Sheeran, Tyler Childers and The Killers. The lineup also includes Leon Bridges, Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB, Hozier, Reneé Rapp, Khruangbin, Megan Thee Stallion, Jessie Murph, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, and Young the Giant.

It will also serve as a celebration of New England’s music scene, featuring over 20 artists from the region including Beach Weather, Kieran Rhodes, Senseless Optimism, Tysk Tysk Task, and Bad Rabbits, who opened the inaugural festival in 2013.

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is scheduled for 13-16 June on the Bonnaroo Farm, 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, TN, with this year’s highlights including performances from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone,  Pretty Lights, Megan Thee Stallion, Cage The Elephant and a US festival exclusive performance by Fred Again..

Also on the bill: Maggie Rogers, Melanie Martinez, Khruangbin, Cigarettes After Sex, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Diplo, Carly Rae Jepsen, Fisher, Jon Batiste, Dominic Fike, Parcels, Idles, Joey Bada$$, Lizzy McAlpine, T-Pain, Interpol, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Two Friends, Taking Back Sunday, Gary Clark Jr, TV Girl, Thundercat, Ashnikko and Brittany Howard.

Southern California’s electronic music-focused Beyond Wonderland will host acts such as The Chainsmokers, Benny Benassi, Alesso, Madeon, Subtronics, Basscon, Rezz, Wax Motif, Chris Lorenzo, J. Worra, Gareth Emery, Zeds Dead and Afrojack b2b R3hab at NOS Events Center, San Bernardino, on 22-23 March.

And BottleRock Napa Valley has already sold out three-day tickets for its 24-26 May gathering, topped by Stevie Nicks, Pearl Jam and Ed Sheeran. It will also feature artists including Queens Of The Stone Age, Megan Thee Stallion, Maná, St Vincent, Nelly, Miike Snow, Bebe Rexha, Kali Uchis, The Kid Laroi, My Morning Jacket, Dominic Fike, Norah Jones, The Offspring, All Time Low and Holly Humberstone.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.