Every October, amidst the sounds of bicycle bells, rolling trams and Autumnal port winds, one of the world’s alpha cities puts on a show stopping spectacle – Amsterdam Dance Event.
Every October, amidst the sounds of bicycle bells, rolling trams and Autumnal port winds, one of the world’s alpha cities puts on a show stopping spectacle – Amsterdam Dance Event.
Scenes inside Oliver Heldens show © Amsterdam Dance Event Foundation
The industry gathering Amsterdam Dance Event known as ADE was born in 1996. Organisers perfectly synced modest beginnings to the phenomenal rise of dance music as it went mainstream across the European continent in the 90s. According to Statista, attendance figures for ADE have increased exponentially from 140,000 in 2011 to a record breaking 500,000 in 2024 (based on information from the official website of Amsterdam Dance Event.) Even by today’s standards, it’s difficult to envisage how other large scale gatherings compare to ADE.
The event is now part of the city’s identity. The people of Amsterdam come together to host what is the most important date in the electronic music calendar. A creative collective of multi-purpose venues, historic museums, record shops, boutique retail outlets, Michelin starred restaurants, small and large scale nightclubs, promoters, transport operators, hotels, Air BnB hosts, city council, food & drink vendors and AV suppliers make it all possible. Waste collection is carried out around the clock. UBER drivers in Tesla’s work over time providing adequate ground transport to artists, workers and attendees.
Event goers can choose from the ADE Pro and Lab pass or cherry pick individual festival tickets. This year, attendees will revel in a line-up featuring 3000+ artists with Stephen Bodzin, Space 92, Mella Dee, Laidlaw, Pan-Pot, Henry X, East End Dubs, Boris Coleman, Luke Slater, Monocule, Hot Since 82 and many, many more on the bill.
Check out the Soundcloud School x ADE Lab mix here
Amsterdam dance event is spread across versatile locations – around 200 venues host raves, conferences, talks, workshops and discussions. Venues like Melkweg, Pulitzer, Rijksmuseum, Palladium, Westerkerk, Thuishaven, Chin Chin Club, SkateCafe, Faralda Crane, Club John Doe, BRET, Borosov, De Hallen Studio’s, Gashouder, Havenpark, Lofi, Mossel and Gin. The global audience are now spoilt for choice – ADE is about discovering new concepts and artists.
The curious amongst attendees can find hidden gems – that is part of the beauty and success to ADE. To name just a small number of the brands hosting events this year, we have Mainframe, TLM airlines, Awakenings, Intercell, Breakfast Club, Audio Obscura, Armada Invites, Yotecha, Floating Points, Late Night Jackin, Dusty Cabinets, Neon Owl, As You Are, Hidden Concepts, Glitterbox, Unreal X FYM, Straal, Mad City, Nooduitgang, In-House, Face2Face, Deepinside, Killacutz, Deepdown, HiTech and Bedrock.
It is initiatives which ADE can also be admired for – the festival gives back allowing new ideas and scenes to emerge. Creativity, diverse communities and appreciation for the history of dance music allow these concepts to flourish. The festival fund is one example – grassroot promoters are encouraged to apply for a pot of capital to invest in their ADE event. The ADE team place emphasis on diversity, urgency, local development of talent, innovation and impact upon the culture when applying a criteria for access to the funds. ADE green also host a conference which focuses on sustainability, social change and innovation within the music industry. ADE champions the hip hop and urban movement too with ADE beats offering attendees the chance to take part in networking, talks and masterclasses.
The industry gathering delights global revellers with a multifaceted approach to networking, partying and marketing. Amidst yellow cubes bearing the letters ADE start popping up in the streets, bridges, piers and pleins. It would be difficult for the majority of cities to replicate Amsterdam Dance Event – it shapes thought, opinion and action across the globe. It is distinctly Dutch too, Heineken and Buma Stemra are the main founding partners. This year, ADE will launch a brand new app for apple and android so guests can discover the 1000+ events.
Amsterdam is the hyper connected city – blending digital, sustainability, water and energy seamlessly. For example, you can cycle, catch the ferry, jump on the train or bus to visit a show in Zaandam, home of multi-purpose venues Taets and Hemkade48. ADE have included transport access with GVB as part of the Pro Pass package. The city airport, Schiphol, has the capacity to bring in revellers from all around the world. The Dutch-Franco airline, KLM and ING are unmissable brands as a steady stream of the young and old generations of ravers arrive into the arrivals gates.
The dance world is an interconnected community supercharged by the digital marketing prowess of both emerging and established brands. Audiences are now exposed to large scale festivals in places like Tulum to cutting edge technology led shows in Tokyo. In 25 years, Amsterdam Dance Event has successfully managed to experiment with talent, tech and logistics to remarkable effect. The event has delivered one of a kind experiences every year.
The ability to bring together the likes of Soundcloud, Spotify, Dolby, Dyson, Ticket Swap, Allen & Heath, Beatport and Armada music is testament to the event’s reputation. Over the years ADE has solidified itself as the location for people to meet and connect. Meet the makers gives people the chance to discuss synths, eurorack modules and pro audio gear with the manufacturers direct. Another unmissable discussion will be held at Noord venue Sexyland World will bring together the Amsterdam night council for a full panel event of talks amongst key stakeholders and representatives of nightlife in Amsterdam.
Eat your heart out ravers of Barcelona, London, Berlin, Milan, Ibiza, Paris, New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, Miami etc. We look forward to welcoming you to the capital of dance music, Amsterdam – long live the King.
