The week of Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is finally upon us. Running from October 18-22, 2023, the world’s foremost dance music assembly will completely envelop the city of Amsterdam as the global capital for all things electronic music.
With a city-wide event schedule that showcases over 2,900 artists, more than 1,000 events, and over 200 venues, there is much to get excited about when the five-day event kicks off in less than 48 hours.
Check out a complete list of EDM Maniac’s 2023 ADE highlights below.
1. Amsterdam Music Festival
One of ADE’s cornerstone events, Amsterdam Music Festival (AMF) will bring together 40,000 fans at the iconic Johan Cruijff ArenA on Saturday, October 21, with performances from some of dance music’s best.
This year’s lineup includes Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Charlotte de Witte, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, James Hype, and more. AMF’s can’t-miss spectacle will also feature one of the last performances from Dutch hardstyle legend Headhunterz, before he says goodbye to the live stage later this year.
2. Armada Music’s Air-Traffic Control Tower Party
One of the craziest ADE “venues” to date—an air-traffic control tower at Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport—will welcome DJ sets from techno trailblazer Joris Voorn and Ferry Corsten on Wednesday, October 18.
The event will celebrate Armada Music’s 20th anniversary as another installment of the label’s flagship livestream series, Armada In The Mix, broadcast live on Armada Music TV.
3. “How Jayda G Inspires Climate Action”
As part of ADE’s world-renowned ADE Pro conference in conjunction with ADE Green, environmental toxicologist-turned-producer Jayda G will host a Q&A session alongside award-winning director Nicolas Brown.
Taking place on Friday, October 20 at the Felix Meritis, the session will cover “their mission to bring conservation awareness to new audiences through an unexpected fusion of dance music and a nature documentary,” ahead of their forthcoming film Blue Carbon.
4. James Hype and MEDUZA Present “Our House” Amsterdam
Back for a second year at ADE, chart-topping producers James Hype and MEDUZA will present another edition of their “Our House” show concept, in collaboration with celebrated Amsterdam promoter ALDA at the historic Hembrugterrein—a UNESCO world heritage site and renowned Amsterdam concert spot.
New for ADE 2023, the two influential house artists will play a three-hour back-to-back set and introduce a no-phone policy in an effort to “bring back the original party feeling” and “encourage people to enjoy themselves with no distractions.”
5. Secret Artists in Residence – ADE Special
The renowned concept from host and curator Pitto will return for another year at ADE, taking place at the specially designed Sterrenzaal Studio atop the Felix Meritis on Friday, October 20. This special event will host unique collaborations and studio jam sessions from an eclectic roster of artists.
Secret Artists in Residence at ADE 2023 will host producers like Colin Benders, Sarah Neutkens, STERAC, Ramses3000, and many more.
6. Charlotte de Witte’s KNTXT Turbo Club Pop-up
Charlotte de Witte’s acclaimed KNTXT label will host a three-day pop-up event at the iconic Theater Amsterdam from October 19-21.
Serving tacos by day and techno at night, the KNTXT Turbo Club is sure to be bustling when de Witte plays three sets to celebrate the release of her newest EP, Power Of Thought, alongside a collection of other talented KNTXT artists.
The KNTXT Turbo Club will be open to the public for free during the day, where fans can grab event-exclusive cocktails from Don Julio and shop the latest collection of KNTXT label merch.
7. ADE Lab
Running from October 19-22, ADE Lab will once again work to support rising producers, DJs, and industry pros with even more workshops, studio sessions, panel talks, and networking opportunities.
This year’s programming includes a conversation with American techno artist DVS1, DJ set curation tips from Mama Snake, a special Filth on Acid Demo Drop with Reinier Zonneveld, “The Art of Vinyl DJing” with Héctor Oaks, and even more talks from Darude, Nostalgix and more.
8. The All-New ADE Startups Program
On Thursday, October 19 at the Felix Meritis, the ADE Startups program will host an “unconventional” conference within ADE Pro, bringing together “a broad range of music and tech professionals, founders, business experts, investors and forward-thinking companies.”
The ADE Startups program will culminate in the first-ever edition of “The Chorus,” a “tight-knit development and mentorship platform,” that will connect eight selected music innovators from around the world with “ADE’s dream team of music investors and professionals.”
9. Adam Beyer’s Drumcode Centraal Pop-up
One of the most commercially successful techno labels in existence, Adam Beyer’s Drumcode Records will host a special pop-up shop called Drumcode Centraal from October 18-19.
Open from 12-8PM at the Bonne store in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, admission to the Drumcode Centraal will be completely free, affording fans the opportunity to pick up limited edition merchandise while Drumcode artists like Space 92, Marie Vaunt, Joris Voorn and Beyer himself provide an in-store soundtrack.
10. The City of Amsterdam
Though ADE’s extensive electronic music programming is unmatched, the global industry summit would be nothing without the city of Amsterdam as a whole.
Truly a city that never sleeps, the Dutch capital has long been regarded as one of the most influential clubbing cities in the world; and when ADE comes to town, it truly shines.
Whether cruising the city by bike or taking a boat trip down its famous canals, visitors can stop at Amsterdam’s many famous cultural attractions.
In between all of the club nights and exciting parties at ADE, spots like the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, and Dam Square offer a great taste of the city’s rich history.
A complete list of Amsterdam Dance Event’s 2023 programming is available at the official ADE website.
Featured image from Amsterdam Dance Event. Other image courtesy in order of appearance: Amsterdam Music Festival, Amsterdam Dance Event, Amsterdam Dance Event (Credit: Kapa Photography), Adam Beyer.
