ADE wraps up record-breaking year 23

The 23rd edition of Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), which wrapped up on Monday morning, for the first time welcomed more than 400,000 visitors, in what general manager Richard Zijlma describes as a “fantastic edition”.

From 17 to 21 October, visitors from over 100 countries attended ADE’s day and night programme, which featured more than 1,000 events, including live shows, keynotes, masterclasses and workshops. Speakers involved in this year’s conference program included Bonobo, Jean-Michel Jarre, David Guetta, Imogen Heap, Orbital and Nile Rodgers.

A major focus for year 23 was marking 30 years of Dutch dance music, with celebrations including the premiere of a three-part VPRO documentary and the launch of a reference book featuring many of the scene’s leading lights.

South Korea, which has a rapidly growing local dance music scene, was the 2018 focus country.

ADE 2018 was the last edition under Zijlma’s supervision, with new director Mariana Sanchotene taking over as of next year.

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