The 28th edition of Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) has come to an end, featuring more than 2,900 artists across 1,000 events at over 200 venues throughout the city.

A remarkable milestone was reached as ADE played host to a record-breaking 500,000 global visitors, with an impressive 650,000 tickets sold.

This five-day extravaganza, which blended Festival and Conferences, solidified ADE's reputation as the epicenter for electronic music culture and talent. The diverse programme featured an array of electronic music subgenres, live performances, and cultural crossovers, emphasising inclusivity and variety in both artist line-up and audience.

Memorable highlights included the Rijksmuseum's opening event with upsammy, Metropole Orkest, and Tinlicker, a unique b2b set by KI/KI and Armin van Buuren, and impactful social events by Music Moves. ADE also saw the return of well-loved events like Speedy J's STOOR, Audio Obscura, Martin Garrix's 18+ and All Ages events, while introducing exciting collaborations such as Andalusisch Orkest x Mary Lake and Het HEM x Horst.

In a significant expansion, the ADE Pro Conference extended its duration to four days for the first time, providing a platform for global artists and influential companies to delve into the strategies, opportunities, and responsibilities that shape the music industry. Leading figures from the industry and tech world, including representatives from Google, TuneCore, SEG, and more, discussed the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence. Platforms such as Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and Beatport shared insider knowledge with attendees.

ADE Startups also launched as a year-long development initiative for innovative startups, while international event organisers convened to explore the future of festivals. Additionally, the conference featured appearances by renowned artists like Grandmaster Flash, The Blessed Madonna, Röyksopp, and Max Cooper, with the latter two gracing the stage for special live performances.

ADE Lab, designed as a talent development hub for young artists and professionals, enjoyed a highly successful second edition. Over 2,000 aspiring artists, producers, and industry hopefuls had the opportunity to learn from world-class figures like Reinier Zonneveld, Mama Snake, Saoirse, Héctor Oaks, and A-Trak. They collaborated on music projects, received feedback on their work, formed valuable connections, and participated in demo drops, all geared toward nurturing the next generation of electronic music talent.

Mark your calendars for next year's ADE, scheduled to take place from 16-20 October 2024, promising another incredible celebration of electronic music and culture. Pre-register at amsterdam-dance-event.nl/

Image credit: Linde Dorenbos