The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is both a music conference and festival and is widely recognized as the global meeting point for the creative industry around electronic music. Consisting of a daytime conference & festival and nighttime festival program, with a total of more than 1000 events in nearly 200 locations, it is often a difficult task to keep track of everything on offer. To try and lighten the load we have compiled a list of our ADE Essentials: Thursday.
Audio Obscura x Motor City Drum Ensemble at Central Station
Where do we even begin with Audio Obscura? There is a selection of promoters around the world that do things differently and they do it right. Audio Obscura is the epitome of everything we love about dance music. They are a platform, a movement, a wave, born out of love for underground electronic music. As a team, they have been reshaping the landscape of electronic music by bringing the legends of tomorrow to the most iconic historical venues of the world. ADE 2019 will be no different.
Their reputation in recent years has grown for two reasons. Firstly, their ability to work with forward-thinking artists that share their dream for electronic music. This creates an understanding between DJ, dancefloor and promoter that nurtures a special energy shared by all. Secondly, they have a skill and passion for creating originality through the use of special spaces. In previous years they have used former prisons, skyscrapers and Amsterdam’s central station as the backdrops for all-night dance affairs.
On Thursday they will hook-up with the mighty Motor City Drum Ensemble, who brings the expansive sounds of his record collection to Amsterdam Central station alongside hometown hero Young Marco. An artist who has been deservedly exploding in recent years.
The Pure-Liner Party Boat
The Bliss Office Showcase
Amsterdam is built around 165 canals covering over 100km that make up the idyllic waterways of the city. Although most tourists use them as an alternative way to travel, ADE sees a fleet of vessels turned into floating dance floors for a series of sea born raves.
ADE 2019 will mark a new chapter for The Bliss Office (TBO) as they unveil their first showcase. TBO is a new booking agency dedicated to connecting the scenes biggest techno artist to dancefloors and dancers from around the world. They aim to be different. Taking a modern approach to a rapidly evolving industry. With a roster that boasts the likes of Amelie Lens, Pan-Pot, David Kochs and Glaskin they will no doubt be one of the more formidable players for years to come.
To celebrate their first ADE, The Bliss Office have teamed up with Pure-Liner for their first event to showcase their extensive roster to the world. Taking place between 13:00 – 20:00 the boat will set sail from Pier 14 – Der Ruyterkade under the captainship of Farrago, Joyhauser, Marcel Fengler and Milo Spykers with a special guest still to be revealed.
DJ Faces by Jos Kottmann
ADE is not just for the dancers looking to hop from label showcase to a rave in a crane. Instead, the event offers a range of talks, panels, workshops and exhibitions for those looking to immerse themselves in the other aspects of electronic music. One such event that has caught our eye is the DJ Faces Exhibition by Jos Kottmann. A project that started out as a personal collection before soon evolving into a historical document, it portrays DJs in an uncompromising light showing them just the way they are.
The project captures not only the process of how house music developed over the years but also how the genre spread around the world. From Detroit to Amsterdam and from London to Johannesburg, house music knows no boundaries. Greek artist Osunlade had this to say,
Not only is Jos a photographer, who captures the essence of his subjects in the most intimate way, he also shares a clear and organic view of the people behind the music in an honest context. Covering the gamut of the pioneers of house music was a creation only Jos could have come up with. DJ Faces is a family album of sorts. It places us all under one roof and celebrates the forces of not only this music but also its creators.
Osunlade
VBX x ADE at BRET
Not many people have ADE locked off better than the energy crew, the king of the rollover and the chuggy strip backed groovers – VBX! Now into their seventh year, VBX have captured the hearts, minds and bodies of ravers across the world with their dedication to quality. Every element of their events is dance floor driven. From the audio equipment to the selectors charged with delivering the beats no detail is ignored. Instead, they choose to focus on small intimate spaces which they can transform into intensely electric eco-systems that go on dancing for days on ends.
Thursday will kick off the first of a busy week of parties for VBX as they team up with their home away from home, BRET. With its signature red look gives the grey Sloterdijk area a much-needed impulse. It is built from containers but has a beautifully decorated interior made from wood. This cosy club is the only place to be when VBX take over. If you like left-field selections, well-informed dancers and high octane dance floors make sure you join Nicolas Lutz, Frank Haag, Robin Ordell and DJ Masda on Thursday evening. Each is known for their wide-ranging and flawless track selections.
Innervisions Amsterdam x Loveland Part I & II
Since its introduction on the world stage back in 2015, Innervisions has become one of the most groundbreaking, forward-thinking names in dance music. Founded by Dixon, and Frank Wiedemann of Âme they have created an experience more personal than most. Innervisions reflects the intuitive push toward certain ideas. The name itself was chosen out of the belief that all art forms, not just music, are a materialized sphere of ideas. The idea that it keeps on spinning constantly generating and reforming new ideas.
At this years ADE event Innervisions has once again teamed up with the Loveland crew, one Hollands premier promoters for a two-part Innervisions special. Part 1 takes place at Theater Amsterdam between 20:00-23:00. The audio-visual show will be merging movement, music and video projections together in an immersive live performance by RY X and a dance performance by Nina Kurtela. Singer and songwriter RY X will bring his quietly intense, passionate music to life as he invites the audience into his soul-stirring world. After which visual artist and dance maker Nina Kurtela will perform a fragment from “365 routines”. This work was part of her collaboration with Innervisions for the label’s 2018 visual identity and will be brought to life in a new context
Once the Theater performance ends, venture into Warehouse Houthavens as the rest of the night unfolds with a special extended 5 hour b2b performance from label co-founders Âme Dixon. As well as sets from Marcus Worgull and Trikk.
A Minimalist Approach To Musical Production
As part of their ADE programme Amsterdam’s only 6-star hotel, Hotel Twenty Seven has invited Paul Nolan of Make Your Transition & 50:Hertz to curate three days of masterclasses, feedback sessions & techno talks.
On Thursday the jaw-dropping venue will host the first of its masterclasses aimed at aspiring producers as well as industry veterans looking to explore new approaches in the studio. The workshop titled, ‘A Minimalist Approach To Musical Production’. We have a heard the familiar phrase ‘Less is More’ which Paul argues is the most valuable mindset for any music producer. We have all experienced the frustration of utilising an abundance of elements in a single production or simply over complicating things with an overload of effects. During this session, Paul will explain how to work most efficiently at the highest level.
As with all things 50:Hertz it is about getting people connected in order to start working together more. At The RRP we are firm believers that a good time is the key to creating connection, so while getting connected you can enjoy the specially designed cocktails by head of the TwentySeven bar, Eric van Beek. The winner of best cocktail bartender at the “Global Bacardi Legacy” last year in Mexico.
PIV Records ADE showcase
Claire. It is your best friend, arch-rival, secret affair and favourite recommendation all rolled into one. Situated amid Amsterdam’s city centre on Rembrandt square. The club provides a warm, colourful location for immersing yourself in rooms filled with vibrant patterns and flavours. The venue is almost chameleon-like in its character with a diverse booking policy and hedonistic clubbers creating one of the cities most energetic atmospheres.
With ADE quickly approaching the Claire schedule has begun to fill. However one of the highlights is their collaboration with local label and promoter PIV records. Formed back in 2015, PIV records was established to build a platform that supports talented producers with a soft spot for US classy house. The imprint strives to honour this archetypical sound and add a modern European touch to the genre. Therefore it is no surprise they have invited some of dance musics most talented purveyors. Archie Hamilton, Chris Stussy, Rossko, The Willers Brothers, DJOKO, Jesse Maas (who will play b2b with) Iris Menza as well as Ray Mono and Rossi all have the responsibility of filling the floor across the evening.
As a label, their year has been nothing short of spectacular. They have had shows all over the globe and topped the Beatport charts with their infectious sound meaning tastemaker Prunk and his team’s annual showcase will make for one of Thursday’s party highlights. Expect a selection of groove-filled roller & stripped back melodies.
SHADOWS by Magdalena
In 2018, Magdalena the respected German DJ and Producer launched her Shadows party at Blue Marlin Ibiza. Fast forward a full year and she has just completed a second successful season at Cova Santa. Her Shadows party is a day-to-night concept. Staying true to its name, the party provides a rare opportunity for individuals to become one with the darkness of the night, a wonderful unison which is enhanced as the sun begins to set.
At ADE Magdalena’s loyal following will be cutting shapes amongst the shadows cast on Amsterdam’s busy canal system with the legendary Kompakt records boss, Michael Mayer joining proceedings. His Kompakt label has been at the forefront of progressive music for the last 25 years and continues to remain one of Techno’s most pivotal imprints. An ongoing residency on BBC Radio 1 as part of the new wind down series makes him one of the most in-demand DJs around.
Also invited onboard is Watergate residents GHEIST who have recently joined The RRP podcast series to celebrate the release of their first EP on Solomun’s Diynamic label. If this super-stacked line up wasn’t enough Dutch DJ Tom Zeta will also take on the controls as well as an unannounced special guest.
