As the electronic music world turns its eyes towards Amsterdam for ADE 2025, the conference programme stands as an essential pillar of the week-long event. It’s an indispensable forum for artists, executives, and innovators to connect, learn, and shape the trajectory of the industry for the year ahead.
We’ve delved into this year’s agenda to highlight the most compelling conferences and panels scheduled from Wednesday to Saturday. From deep dives into emerging technology and music rights to intimate artist Q&As, the discussions below are designed to inspire and inform. For anyone serious about their career in music, these sessions provide a wealth of crucial insights and are a powerful reason to ensure you have your ADE Pro Pass ready.
Wednesday – 22nd Oct
Meet the Agents
Ever wondered how to get in front of the world’s top booking agents? “Meet the Agents” is your chance. Part of the refined Meet the Professionals series, this session is a high-impact networking event designed as a fresh, focused take on professional speed dating, held at the exclusive ADE Matchmaking Hub in the Pulitzer Hotel. This is a rare opportunity to connect directly with decision-makers from global powerhouses like CAA, WME, Wasserman, and The Bullit Agency. Forget cold emails; here you can make your case face-to-face. The session will kick off with an introduction to all participating agents, followed by dedicated one-on-one networking time. Prepare your pitch, be ready to state your case efficiently, and seize the chance to build career-defining relationships.
Location: Pulitzer Amsterdam (Garden Room) | Keizersgracht 224, Amsterdam
Time: 12:00-13:00
ANOTR, No Art & SONA | Independent, International & In Control
As DJs, producers, and entrepreneurs, ANOTR offer a compelling perspective on building a modern music brand from the ground up. Alongside their partners, they scaled their ‘No Art’ concept from intimate Amsterdam gatherings into an international lifestyle powerhouse, making them authorities on brand strategy, community building, and global expansion.
Their expertise is further demonstrated through SONA Worldwide, a production company that delivers large-scale events for iconic collectives like Circoloco and Keinemusik. This experience positions them as influential figures operating at the industry’s highest level, offering invaluable insights into the business and future of electronic music events.
Location: Rosewood Amsterdam (Ballroom) | Prinsengracht 432 – 436, Amsterdam
Time: 12:30 – 13:15
Spotify for Artists Masterclass
How can artists and their teams truly harness the power of Spotify to build a global audience? Get the answers in this essential panel, where key members of Spotify’s music team are joined by the strategic minds behind world-renowned DJ, Chris Lake.
The session will combine insights into Spotify’s latest tools for the dance community with a practical case study from Chris Lake’s own team. Learn firsthand from his manager and marketer as they share the winning strategies behind his on-platform success, providing a clear blueprint for your own projects.
Location: WestWeelde (The Boombox) | Klönneplein 4-6, Amsterdam
Time: 14:15 – 15:00
Ask Me Anything: Running a Label & A&R with Joe Wiseman
Get direct access to one of the industry’s most influential A&R executives in this exclusive AMA session with Wiseman, the head of Insomniac’s recording business.
Having guided massive releases for global hitmakers like John Summit, Tiësto, Fisher, and Mau P, Wiseman is here to offer a rare, unfiltered look into the modern label landscape. This is your chance to ask anything: What do A&R teams really look for in new talent? How can emerging artists cut through the noise? Come prepared with your questions and get crucial advice straight from the source.
Location: Felix Meritis (Teekenzaal 2) | Keizersgracht 324, Amsterdam
Time: 14:15 – 14:45
Armada Music Presents: Armin van Buuren, Hannah Laing & Joris Voorn on Defying Genre Boundaries
What happens when a trance legend, a techno artisan, and a hard dance superstar sit down to discuss the future of music?
Presented by Armada Music, this powerhouse panel brings together Armin van Buuren, Joris Voorn, and Hannah Laing for a crucial conversation on defying genre boundaries. As the lines between trance, techno, and house continue to fade, these three influential artists will explore the creative freedom that comes from a post-genre world. Hear their unique perspectives on artistic evolution, staying relevant, and what the future holds for the sounds that define our scene.
Location: Rosewood Amsterdam (Ballroom) | Prinsengracht 432 – 436, Amsterdam
Time: 16:00 – 16:45
Thursday – 23rd Oct
Chris Stussy, KETTAMA & Enzo Siragusa: From Rave Roots to Today’s House Floor
How did the raw, high-energy sounds of 90s rave culture evolve into the sophisticated house music topping today’s charts? Get the inside story from three artists who are masters of the craft: Chris Stussy, KETTAMA, and Enzo Siragusa.
In this must-see panel, these influential DJs and producers will break down how the spirit of the old school rave scene directly inspires their modern productions. Discover their creative processes, learn how they blend rave’s foundational energy with contemporary house grooves, and gain a deeper understanding of the influences shaping the future of the dance floor. Sources
Location: Felix Meritis (Zuilenzaal) | Keizersgracht 324, Amsterdam
Time: 11:15 – 12:00
Meet the Platforms
Navigating the digital music landscape can be overwhelming. “Meet the Platforms” cuts through the noise by putting you in the room with the decision-makers from the world’s most influential digital services.
Part of the exclusive Meet the Professionals series, this is a high-impact networking session designed to connect you directly with key representatives from Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Beatport, Bandcamp, and more. Forget sending emails into the void; this is your chance to get direct feedback, ask critical questions, and build the relationships that can accelerate your career. Prepare your pitch and get ready to connect.
Location: Pulitzer Amsterdam (Garden Room) | Keizersgracht 224, Amsterdam
Time: 13:00 – 14:00
Google DeepMind | Beyond Prompts: Creative Tools for Making Music in the Age of AI
Go beyond the hype and see how AI is actually being used to create music in this exclusive presentation from Google DeepMind.
This is a rare opportunity to look behind the curtain as the musicians and researchers at one of the world’s leading AI labs showcase the next generation of creative tools. Featuring live demos and unreleased music, the session will move beyond simple prompts to reveal how AI can genuinely enhance production workflows and performance. Attend this talk to get a firsthand look at the future and discover the powerful new ways technology can serve artistry.
Location: Rosewood Amsterdam (Ballroom) | Prinsengracht 432 – 436, Amsterdam
Time: 14:45 – 15:30
Friday – 24th Oct
Doors Open: Everything on The Team Behind the Artist
It takes a village to build an artist’s career, but what does that team actually do? Get a rare, practical look inside one of the most crucial relationships in the industry—the one between an artist and their agent.
Presented by Resident Advisor’s Doors Open platform, this session features touring artist Kléo and her agent, Chiara Silvestrin of Octopus Agents. Together, they will pull back the curtain on their day-to-day partnership, revealing how bookings are secured, tours are planned, and careers are strategically built from behind the scenes. This is an essential session for any aspiring music professional or artist looking to understand the mechanics of a successful team.
Location: The Loft | Polonceaukade 9, Amsterdam
Time: 12:00 – 13:15
The Future of a Sustainable Festival Sector
How can the festival industry meet its ambitious environmental goals? This interactive session is designed to move beyond talk and into action.
Join moderator Claire O’Neill and a panel of leading sustainability experts from across the European festival circuit to tackle the industry’s biggest ecological challenges. This is not a typical panel; it’s a strategic discussion where both the experts and the audience will explore real-world hurdles, share innovative solutions, and collectively map out a tangible path toward a greener future. If you are invested in the long-term success and viability of live events, this essential conversation is for you.
Location: Felix Meritis (Teekenzaal 1) | Keizersgracht 324, Amsterdam
Time: 12:15 – 13:00
What I’ve Learned in 30 Years: A Guide to Thriving as a Music Agent
Thirty years in the music industry is a lifetime. In this exclusive talk, Anna Knaup, the powerhouse founder of Anna Agency, condenses three decades of wisdom into a practical guide for thriving as a music agent.
Drawing on her experience representing some of the world’s most influential artists, Anna will share invaluable lessons on what it truly takes to build sustainable careers and navigate the ever-changing industry landscape. This is a must-attend for aspiring agents seeking a blueprint for success and for artists wanting a deeper understanding of what to look for in their own representation. The session will conclude with an open Q&A, offering direct access to one of the most respected minds in the business.
Location: Felix Meritis (Teekenzaal 2) | Keizersgracht 324, Amsterdam
Time: 15:00 – 15:30
Skepta x Mas Tiempo
For years, Skepta has been a titan of the UK music scene, shaping culture with his visionary artistry and uncompromising sound. Now, he’s channelling that same energy into the world of house music with his acclaimed ‘Más Tiempo’ project.
In this exclusive and rare conversation, the Mercury Prize winner will sit down to discuss his creative evolution, the founding of his new label, and his vision for the future of the dance floor. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of modern music’s most influential and forward-thinking artists.
Location: Felix Meritis (Zuilenzaal) | Keizersgracht 324, Amsterdam
Time: 16:15 – 17:00
Saturday – 25th Oct
Doing Business in the MENA Region
The Middle East and North Africa is the fastest-growing music market in the world, but it remains one of the most complex to navigate. How can you effectively enter a region with over 500 million people and a rapidly expanding live scene?
This essential panel brings together leading experts with on-the-ground experience to provide a practical guide to doing business in the MENA region. The discussion will move beyond the headlines to identify where the real opportunities lie for artists, promoters, and companies. Learn about the key markets, cultural nuances, and strategic partnerships necessary to succeed in this explosive and lucrative territory.
Location: Felix Meritis (Teekenzaal 1) | Keizersgracht 324, Amsterdam
Time: 12:30 – 13:15