Paul Kalkbrenner’s performance in front of almost 10,000 people raised musical and production standards in regional clubbing and prepared us for one of the most powerful editions of EXIT’s mts Dance Arena this year in the best way possible.
While Paul Kalkbrenner turned the Belgrade Arena into a techno hall with his timeless hits, artists like Eric Prydz, Nina Kraviz, Amelie Lens, Indira Paganotto, Keinemusik, Hot Since 82, Michael Bibi, and CamelPhat will cement the Dance Arena’s status as a temple of the most diverse genres of electronic music.
This was the second edition of the EXIT Dance Arena Belgrade Takeover event, organized with the TMRW conference. The previous warm-up for the new edition of mts Dance Arena was led by Hot Since 82 in the Main Hangar of the Port of Belgrade. Both parties fulfilled their purpose brilliantly – they conveyed to the visitors the powerful energy of Dance Arena, EXIT’s temple of electronic music, and announced the arrival of one of its strongest editions yet, from July 6 to 9, at the Petrovaradin Fortress.
Fans lined up in front of the Belgrade Arena already before midnight, and the big party was attended by numerous celebrities, including basketball players Miroslav Raduljica, Nemanja Nedović, Marko Jarić, and Nino Čelebić, actress Milena Radulović, actor Viktor Savić, musician Marko Đurovski, and many others.
Maestro Paul Kalkbrenner kept spinning the original tracks that propelled him to the global techno throne during his two-decade-long career. The two-hour live performance included “Feed Your Head,“ “Sky and Sand,“ “Cloud Rider,“ “Te Quiero,“ “No Goodbye,“ and “Si Soy Fuego,“ and the audience gave him a ovation when he finally played “Aaron.“
The spectacular night in the Belgrade Arena began with Lanna, one of the most promising rising stars of the local scene, with a sound that combines melodic techno, progressive and indie dance. She was followed by a Hybrid DJ set by collective IDQ, who premiered songs from their newly released album “Borderline.“ The entire show was masterfully closed by Ilija Djokovic, which also has a symbolic significance because it was Kalkbrenner, among others, who supported his career and work. And it’s no wonder that he supported him — we’re talking about a performer from our region with releases on labels like Drumcode, Filth on Acid, Terminal M, Second State, and Armada Records, who has recently started his own publishing house Point Beyond.
Last night, Belgrade felt the unstoppable energy that will move in full force from the Belgrade Arena to Dance Arena from July 6 to 9 in the EXIT Universe! The first night brings a unique all-female concept, headlined by the most powerful women in the world’s electronic music scene – Nina Kraviz, Amelie Lens, and Indira Paganotto, along with regional stars Tijana T and MIJU. The second night, July 7, will feature the undisputed #1 producer and DJ, the long-awaited Eric Prydz, as well as CamelPhat, Human Rias, Space Motion, Coeus, Cosmic G, and Kristijan Molnar.
The third, hottest night is headlined by Hot Since 82, followed by Michael Bibi, Vintage Culture, Layla Benitez, Gioli & Assie live, and Mene. The last day of the festival, July 9, will feature Agents of Time live, Ben Bohmer live, Mind Against, Marko Nastić, and Goran Starčević, while the most sought-after producer and DJ collective Keinemusik will be in charge of the epic finale.
Regular/VIP four-day and one-day tickets are on sale and can be found here.
Paul Kalkbrenner’s show last night was held as part of the TMRW conference, which will close tomorrow with EXIT’s “Life is Live“ panel, focusing on technology addiction, the mental health of young people, the further advancement of technology, as well as ways to reduce its harmful effects on society.
The panel will feature musician and expert in digital technology, one of the members of the legendary rock group Pink Floyd, Scott Page, adviser to the Minister of Tourism and Youth for youth policy Snežana Klašnja, UNICEF adviser in the program for the development of adolescents and young people Bojana Jevtović, and founder and director of the EXIT festival group Dušan Kovačević. It is scheduled for Sunday, May 14, at 5:55 p.m. in Štark Arena. Tickets and information on the TMRW conference are available at tmrw.net.
