De-moth the tie-dye and dust off those summer tunes, festival season is almost here. So book now to enjoy the best of the fest starting with “Exit in Serbia” In the dying embers of last year’s Exit festival, ten thousand of my closest friends and I danced in the dust of a Serbian Fortress until the sun came up.  600 acts appeared on 25 stages over four nights. 150,000 people walked through the gates, all staggered out, tired, dirty and sated.   Welcome to the “State of Exit”; please leave all weapons, drugs and preconceptions at the gate. This revolutionary rock-fest dates back to 2000.  During the demise of the Milosevic regime, a student political movement celebrated with a hundred day party.  For the finale they held a concert for over 20,000 people symbolising the end of years of agony, and the Exit festival was formed.  Since then, this grassroots event attracts many prestigious acts from around the globe.  Last year saw Franz Ferdinand, the Scissor Sisters and Billy Idol headlining and this year’s line-up is proving to be another acoustic chocolate box.  The Beastie Boys are hitting the main stage with the WuTang Clan, Robert Plant and Basement Jaxx. In true festival style the final line-up is yet to be confirmed. The Exit Festival is cheap, around $100 for the four day pass and twenty bucks to camp, but what makes this gig really special is its incredible setting. It’s located on the grounds of the 18th Century Petrovaradin Fortress which overlooks the River Danube.  Called the State of Exit for good reason, (Exit from a dire political situation) once you pass through the iron gates it feels like you’ve entered a whole new world. So go, visit a remarkable country, watch great bands play against an awesome backdrop and ultimately, dance in the dust of a Serbian Fortress until the sun comes up. Can’t Make Serbia? Check out some of these festivals from around the world. April 21st -22nd  Help save the planet at the eco-friendly Kokua Festival in Hawaii, featuring Jack Johnson. www.kokuafestival.com April 27th - 29th Cross the globe for the All Tomorrow’s Parties (ATP) Festival on April 27th - 29th at Butlins Minehead, UK. www.atpfestival.com May 26th – 27th (Memorial Day Weekend) Sasquatch! is a 2 day festival at Central Washington’s incredible outdoor Gorge Amphitheatre. The eclectic line-up includes Spoon, Bjork, Manu Chao, The Arcade Fire, The Beastie Boys, and much more! www.sasquatchfestival.com May 31st to June 2nd Take a plane to Spain for the Estrella Damm Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona. www.isleofwightfestival.com June 8th -10th Check out UK’s Isle of Wight Festival - Snow Patrol, Muse and Kasabian all play alongside Hendrix’ ghost. www.isleofwightfestival.com June 14th -17th It’s off to Manchester, Tennessee for the Bonnaroo Festival where The Police and the White Stripes top the massive bill. www.bonnaroo.com June 28th-July 1st Rock Werchter rocks Belgium with The Killers, Pearl Jam and the Beastie Boys. www.rockwerchter.be July 12th-15th The Exit Festival in Serbia www.exitfest.org July 13th – 15th The Pitchfork Music Festival’s lineup includes some of the biggest names in indie music including, Sonic Youth, Iron & Wine, and Of Montreal. www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com   — Tracey Davies