No Sleep Festival

No Sleep ( sr, Но слип / ''No slip'') is a music festival which is held at 8 locations in the city of Belgrade, Serbia.

The festival was founded in 2017 in Novi Sad as a part of the EXIT Festival, influenced by the festival's No Sleep Novi Sad stage, which was introduced in 2002 as HappyNoviSad stage. The first edition of the festival was held during the first day of the EXIT festival, at the festival's Dance Arena, and it attracted 20,000 visitors. In 2018, it became a stand-alone festival, as it was moved from the Petrovaradin fortress to Belgrade.

History

The festival began in 2017 as a part of the EXIT Festival. During its existence, No Sleep has been visited by over 45,000 people from more than 60 countries. Resident Advisor, DJ Mag, XLR8R and many others have on numerous occasions praised No Sleep.

The initial idea was created with EXIT's No Sleep Novi Sad stage which quickly gained international fame. Each year, EXIT partners through No Sleep with some of the world's most popular clubs which are showcased at the festival and make launch events. The list includes Fabric, Tresor, Sub Club etc.

In January 2019, No Sleep Festival won the Best New Festival award at the European Festivals Awards held In Groningen, Netherlands.

Location

No Sleep takes place at 11 locations in Belgrade, including the central mammoth warehouse, known as the New Hangar in Port of Belgrade, next to Danube river. It also includes lineups at city's well-known clubs like Drugstore, Club 20/44 and various other spots, with some of the world's most popular electronic music acts, alongside local talents.

Key Venues

Main Hangar

Main Hangar is a mammoth warehouse located in Port of Belgrade, next to Danube river. It's located on 39 Žorža Klemansoa Street. It was introduced as the main venue in 2018, along with other nightclubs, such as Drugstore, 20/44 etc.

New Hangar hosted Fatboy Slim, Cassius, Lee Burridge, Amelie Lens, Bicep, Terry Francis, Ida Engberg and many more.

Drugstore

Drugstore is one of the more popular nightclubs in Belgrade, along with 20/44 etc. It is located on 115 despot Stefan Boulevard Beside the main events, Drugstore also features afterparties.

Drugstore hosted Olof Dreijer, Sébastien Léger etc.

Ben Akiba

Ben Akiba is a nightclub located on 6 Krsmanović brothers Street in Belgrade. It was introduced in 2022.

Belgrade silos

Belgrade silos are an art center located on 49 Belgrade quay. They have been introduced as a new venue in 2022.

Yugovinyl, Dim and Marsh. Open Space

Yugovinyl is a vinyl record store, Dim is a bar, and Marsh. Open Space or Marsh Creative Production is a cafe, all located on 15 Cetinjska Street in Belgrade. Marsh. Open Space hosts workshops and exhibitions, along with a music conference with popular international and local speakers.

20/44

20/44 is one of the more popular nightclubs in Belgrade. It is located next to the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers.

Backstage

Backstage is a nightclub located on 4 Makedonska Street in Belgrade. It was introduced in 2022.

Discontinued Venues

Dance Arena

EXIT Festival's Dance Arena on the Petrovaradin fortress was the venue of the first No Sleep festival in 2017. It is widely considered one of the best electronic arenas in the world. It can host over 25,000 people.

The show on the Dance Arena starts in the evening, and plays all night long, until dawn.

Dance Arena has hosted some of the most influential DJs and producers in the world, such as Jeff Mills, Ellen Allien, Rebekah, Vatican Shadow and many more during both No Sleep and EXIT festivals, and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hot Since 82, Vintage Culture, Camelphat, Ida Engberg, Amelie Lens, Disciples, Ofenbach, Adam Beyer, Stephan Bodzin