Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), the week-long electronic music conference that takes over the city, has now concluded. From the wide array of panels and conferences to the various events of all scales, ADE this year was another incredible experience.
Amsterdam Dance Event, like previous years, is very well organised. From the collection of the pass to the timings of panels and workshops. With many employees providing assistance and guidance at every turn, you won’t be confused for long. It’s incredible to touch down in the city and be welcomed to ADE flags and ADE boxes everywhere, showcasing just how much the city transforms for the event. Cafes, hotel lobbies and streets are filled with delegates; everywhere you look there is another music industry professional.
Whether you’re an artist, a label executive or otherwise, ADE offers something for everyone within the industry. There was a great diversification of activities, from the ADE Lab, which was artist-focused with a range of technology offerings, to the more business side of things conducted at the Felix Meritis and the like. Notable panels included ‘Chris Stussy, KETTAMA & Enzo Siragusa: From Rave Roots to Today’s House Floor’, which delved into the explosion of the underground rave sound into today’s mainstream. As well as ‘ANOTR, No Art & SONA | Independent, International & In Control’, which delved into ANOTR’s come-up, staying independent across their label and event offerings. In between meetings and other ADE opportunities, there always felt like there was an interesting panel available to fill in the time with valuable insights.
While the headliner to the week-long conference is the panels and events, the real key is the connections that you make. The lobbies and cafes of conference hubs like Felix Meritis and The Andaz were a constant hive of activity, transforming into the industry’s central meeting point. You’ll see faces you recognise everywhere, waiting for the opportunity to connect or begin your pre-organised meeting.
The conference welcomed 600,000 visitors from around the world, enjoying the industry at its best. While some panels were full, and attendees had to either stand or be rejected from the event, others were not as busy. When it came to the festival component of the week, using the ADE pro pass allowed attendees free entry into any ADE-associated event. There are pretty significant asterisks with this however; there is only a small allocation put aside for the ADE pass. Meaning high-demand, already-sold-out events are not easy to get into, unless the pass holder is waiting before the show begins. Getting into AFAS Live, for example, was a breeze, with a dedicated side entrance that skipped the line. The venue even had a special viewing platform for pro pass holders. The pass is a great way to be flexible and attend numerous events through the week, but if certain events are a must, it may be better to organise by other means.
ADE is a week where the majority of the electronic music world comes together, ADE pass or not, it’s an incredible time – meeting friends and acquaintances from around the world.
ADE has already revealed the dates for 2026, as they celebrate their 30th anniversary on October 21st to 25th. If you’re sitting on the fence about attending ADE, it’s time to book your flights, your pro pass and start setting up meetings because it’s a week you will not regret.
