Started nine years ago as a student protest against Serbia’s communist regime, EXIT has become the European festival to beat. Taking over a 17th Century fortress in Novi Sad, the three-day event boasts over 25 stages, including a gargantuan Dance Arena. Speaking about the festival with ITM last month, LTJ Bukem attested to the unequaled atmosphere when the sun rises over 20,000 mad ravers.

The first batch of artists have just been announced for 2008, and there’ll be literally hundreds more to come. With the titanic personality to match the occasion, Sven Vath will headline the Dance Arena alongside Francois K, Ben Watt and Claude Von Stroke. Elsewhere, the organisers have pulled off quite a coup: securing The Sex Pistols for a triumphant return with their original line-up. Rounding out the announcement are Paul Weller, Nightwish, Gogol Bordello, Ministry and The Hives.

If this is your year to EXIT, pencil 10 to 13 July into your diary.

Here’s a taste of LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad’s 2007 slot at EXIT.

And some of Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello for a sense of the scale of this shindig.