Wednesday
Bordello Aperitivo
Bordello Aperitivo, 20:00-01:00
What would ADE be without the free evening sessions by beloved record store/label Bordello? With John Noseda on the bill for Wednesday, they come in strong this year. Perfect for some low key warm up dancing with some great Italo Disco. FYI: this free party is there every ADE day, from 20-01.
KI/KI’s free party
Gashouder, 23:30-4:30
Also a free party, albeit on a slightly different scale. As a big time dj, KI/KI wanted to give back to the scene by throwing a big, free party. In particular to provide for people who might otherwise go bankrupt on a ticket to see her play, which is laudable. She teamed up with Awakenings to do this in the Gashouder.
One Eye Witness
Radio Radio, 23:00-05:00
We love the smaller parties at ADE, and Radio Radio always has a few nice ones. On Wednesday they booked Kalahari Oyster Cult’s label head Rey Colino with Kyra Khaldi and DJ Masda. You can definitely make some moves here, but the warm and atmospheric music is perfect to start up your ADE slowly.
EXPO: Tomorrowland
De Rode Hoed, 10:00-17:00
We’re growing up at TANK, so we’re zooming in a bit more on the cultural program of ADE in recent years. In the Rode Hoed, Tomorrowland is going all out with a free exhibition about its festival. This gives you a nice way to see the inner workings and production of this hypercommercial dance music giant without having to actually go there.
Thursday
Random vinyl marathon
Q-Factory, 00:00-24:00
There’s places in Amsterdam where the music never stops at ADE, and the Q-Factory is one of them. They host a non-stop party from Wednesday until Sunday, for 60 hours straight. All of the dj’s will play vinyl, and the event is free to attend as long as you text the organisers beforehand if you want to come. All sets will be livestreamed to Mixcloud as well.
Joep beving & Maarten vos
Concertgebouw, 19:00-20:15
Neoclassical pianist Joe Beving and modular synth pioneer Maarten Vos join forces in what must be one of the most serene and beautiful concerts of ADE.
In the black square, xxx, Freeter
Primo’s Dance Dojo, 17:00-01:00
A nice little gathering to start the evening, with some great dj’s like Isaie and Hellie playing for free. Also with a possibility to get some delicious Surinamese food! Only thing you need to do is signing up beforehand.
EXPO: Rave culture
De Hallen, whenever they’re open
In West hotspot De Hallen, a free photo exhibition is hosted that zooms in on rave culture. Analog photo and video material exposes this lesser known, more underground facet of dance music.
Friday
Homeless Homies
Radion, 12:00-22:00
Every ADE DJ Bone throws a party to benefit the unhoused. The line-up is great and very broad: we have both Michel de Hey and De sluwe Vos here, but also more underground heavyweights like Ben Sims and Wata Igarashi. All proceeds go to charity.
Occo Codex live
Ons’ lieve heer op Solder, 15:30-17:00
A piece of organ music, in a church? Yes, this one is a little bit off the beaten path. Ons’ lieve heer op Solder is a hidden church from the times where masses had to happen in secret, and hosts a concert by organ player Pietro Paganini and techno producer JP Enfant. Together, they re-interpret a 16th century choir book. It screams interesting.
The Crave
Benelux Bar, 21:00-09:00
We love The Hague-based Festival The Crave, and at this year’s ADE they team up with local hero Jeans for 12 hours of music. This is a long party with a good line-up for a decent price, and seems to be meant for those that want to go all-in on Friday eve.
Planet Delsin
Melkweg, 21:00-06:00
Planet Delsin at Melkweg might have been my first techno party ever and the party (and label!) have always stood for some quality deeper techno. The party series stopped about ten years ago, but this ADE they host the Melkweg again with quality dj’s like Mattikk, Machine Woman and .VRIL.
EXPO: Eva. Hate me, love me
De Melkweg, 11:00-23:00
Gabber is an important, but often overlooked part of dance music culture, especially in The Netherlands. De Melkweg hosts a free exhibition on gabber culture, pictured through the life of Eva, a 22-year-old from Rotterdam. It’s for free.
Saturday
Ogazón and friends
The Loft, 06:30-13:00
Ogazón is the arguable the best afterparty dj around, and she brings some big hitters like Shanti Celeste with her for this one. Combined with the killer sunrise view that The Loft provides, this will be one for the books.
Breakfast Club
Radion, 08:00-16:00
Equal people with kids and people awake for 20 hours, Breakfast Club events are special. During ADE they have 5 events that are all worth visiting, but Dettmann and Ogazón going b2b, as well as John Talabot and Nicholas Lutz make this one extra special.
Nous’Klaer
Borisov, 15:00-03:00
Rotterdam’s Nous’Klaer label is both one of the most consistent and most forward thinking music labels in The Netherlands. At their ADE party this year, which is completely free, they host quite some nice artists from their roster, including Mary Lake and Human Space Machine. The event’s at Borisov, which is worth visiting for its marble countertop alone.
Intercell x Chlär Invites
23:59-08:00
Bigger ADE events like Intercell are not what we are usually into during ADE, but this one’s special because of the location (an old prison) and the in-person chance to see what the latest hardgroove techno hype is about with Chlär and his friends playing.
EXPO: Dave Clarke
Leica Gallery Amsterdam, 10:00-18:00
Besides being a techno mainstay, Dave Clarke also does photography. In the Leica Gallery he hosts a free exposition of his work. This includes portraits of well known dj’s such as Kittin and Joseph Capriati, as well as more abstract work.
Sunday
Tom Trago and friends
Radio Radio, 15:00-21:00
What better way to close ADE with dancing to Dutch house king Tom Trago. Good vibes, summery music and a decent bed time included.
Speedy J presents Stoor
Paradiso, 16:00-23:59
We love the Stoor concept by Speedy J. A table full of gear and a load of the most talented producers going into a room and just jamming it out. This year has a Stoor on multiple days, but this one brings some leftfield artist like Steffi and Kangding Ray into the mix, which will make for some really cool and dynamic music.
EXPO: Marcel Veldman
Het Stenen Hoofd, 24/7
At the city hangout slash boat dock Het Stenen Hoofd Marcel Veldman presents a cool exhibition/installation about the interplay between skateboarding, music and city life. It’s free and open air.
All photos by Jasper Ten Tusscher/ADE