Amsterdam Dance Event - A city turned yellow

Imagine that once a year the GEMA (German Society for Musical Performing Rights) declared Berlin the city of music. There would be flags and installations everywhere, and the city would be visibly taken over by the colours of the event. Practically every shop, museum and club would join in. The international elite of music makers would meet and every manufacturer of relevant technology would want to be there. Both groups would be close enough to touch and present themselves and their stuff directly to people who are either in the business or simply fans.

Since this will never happen, the Dutch have been doing it in Amsterdam since 1996. GEMA’s counterpart there, BUMA, organises the conference, and you can’t miss this event in Amsterdam at this time in autumn.

I was there for the first time in 2016 and came away really inspired and also amazed after sitting in close proximity to Todd Terry and DJ Pierre (the one from the States), among others, and having Native Instruments, Ableton and Pioneer explain their technology to me. Along the way I saw acts like Laurent Garnier, ESKEI83, Digitalism, High Contrast and Camo & Krooked.

What I experienced in the five days there was only a fraction of what you can indulge in at the Amsterdam Dance Event. The choice of things to do in the context of music is almost overwhelming. Apart from the tech labs, where you can spend hours trying out the most common equipment, and the presentations of new and sometimes curious devices, the panels are probably one of the most interesting parts. These panels can also include cooking with some DJs.

One of the parties I was most interested in was Hospitality at Paradiso. A truly unique club, unlike any other in Germany. Compared to the often-mentioned Berghain, which is perhaps only considered so great because the door policy is so tough, Paradiso is absolutely commercial, aimed at getting as many people in as possible. But then – unusually for me as a German – they get the drinks flowing quickly and offer a splendid atmosphere across three floors. I was there twice at that time and both times the place was on fire, so much so that I would spontaneously drive to Amsterdam just to spend an evening there. Especially as the programme there is consistently excellent!

To come back to the “amazed” I mentioned earlier. Amazed at the possibility of celebrating music so intensely. Above all, to see that the industry celebrates itself at a level that isn’t just self-important and whiny (German, basically). The closeness that is created there and the almost over-the-top “we’re really having five properly good days” took me back a little to what used to excite me so much about music: simply enjoying it, without really thinking about whether it makes sense. Cheers, ADE!

This year’s Amsterdam Dance Event will take place in October, as every year. The first Early Bird phase of ticket sales has already closed and the current price for the 5-day all-in ticket, which includes all conferences and parties (!), is a whopping 375 euros. But it’s worth it! If only because you can usually bypass the queues and get into the club, and you get numerous other benefits too.

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