Amsterdam Dance Event Adds Some Zen To The Bass

Sleep and meditation used to be two things one didn’t expect to find at the world’s largest club festival and business conference for electronic music, but that’s about to change.

Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2019, Oct. 16-20, will introduce the new ADE Zen Space, a multi-day program in De Waalse Kerk, a church in the center of Amsterdam, where visitors can relax with a special sleeping concert, meditation and special audiovisual installations.

The full program spreads over more than 40 locations across the city. It will offer some 400,000 visitors that visit ADE each year welcome relief from dancing all night. 

More than 2,500 artists and 600 speakers will take part in ADE, which just completed its program. This year’s opening concert features British artist SOHN and the Metropole Orkest.

This year’s program also pays homage to 100 years of electronic music instruments, including a specially arranged museum in De Brakke Grond displaying special instruments, and hosting talks and workshops with pioneers from all over the world.

As is happening at music conferences and festival all over the world right now, ADE will shine a spotlight on mental health, sustainability, social innovation and other important themes. Education and talent development are taking centre stage, with multi-day programs ADE Sound Lab and ADE University for up-and-coming artists and young professionals.

2019 also sees the return of ADE LIVE, the two-day program that offers a platform to emerging live talent. After the focus on South Korea last year, the musical growth of Asia is again strongly represented in the day and night program. The country pavilions in De Balie are set to return with special attention for Japan and China, among others.

Next year’s country focus will be on France, which includes a special program in De Balie, a former court building turned theatre and center for politics, culture and media. What is more, numerous emerging and established artists from France will perform at ADE 2019.

ADE Hangover, a free city festival at the NDSM wharf, will close ADE on the Sunday.

The confirmed lineup of conference speakers sounds like the actual festival lineup. It includes Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Charlotte de Witte, Dorit Chrysler, Joris Voorn and other. They join DEAG’s Detlef Kornett, ID&T founder Duncan Stutterheim, Elrow Family’s Jo Vidler, Amazon chief technology officer Dr. Werner Vogels, Soundcloud’s new global head of music and artist relations Lisa Ellis, Group Vice President of Tencent Music Entertainment Andy Ng and head of AEG Studios Raymond Roker, amongst others.

Confirmed artists include Martin Garrix, Amelie Lens, The Black Madonna,  Tiësto, Carl Cox, Identified Patient, Nastia Carista, Colin Benders, DJ Nobu, Helena Hauff, Jeff Mills, New Order, Peggy Gou, rRoxymore, San Holo, and hundreds more.