DEV9T

This is an open air arts festival in Belgrade. DEV9T means “9” in Serbo-Croat.

The festival is active on all social media: instagram is very up-to-date. It’s centred around the Ciglana bar and social club.

This is just a theory, but I think it’s called “9” because of the 9 muses. It also runs for 9 days.

You will find Jelena there. Ivan is the man who makes the big “9” totem that is burnt at the festival and the organiser of it all is Viktor.

I wanted to do a Paul Massey at The Hacienda on him: “You’re working for me now, any questions?” but lost my nerve.

Great display of the art in the gallery. This is a converted warehouse from a brick factory, it’s a huge space with huge sculptures!

But the best thing is the bands! They manage to get bands out of retirement – cult bands who influenced the artists in their formative years, so very emotional gigs. I saw a band who were nearly a Stone Roses tribute band, but played all original material!

There’s this Gypsy band that can set the audience alight! To stand in the middle of a crowd on a hot steamy night singing Romany songs with a 100 or so Balkan artists is a privilege and an honour.