As the Ibiza season trickles slowly to a close, a slew of the island's much-loved DJs are wiping away tears, packing up their DJ cases and traversing Europe in search of the next big adventure. As are a lot of us, so it happens, and so it's excellent timing that our Netherlands neighbours are all set to step in and carry the flame with the annual Amsterdam Dance Event, which this year will grind into motion on Wednesday 19 October. Much like the International Music Summit that lands in Ibiza every year, ADE is a celebration of electronic music that satiates our appetites to learn and experience more about the industry we love. There'll be talks and films, club nights and after parties, and Ibiza Spotlight will be on the ground to give you a picture of things as they happen. So, if you're heading over to join us, here are some of the event highlights from the five-day programme to give you a little taster of what's to come. We are excited.
Wednesday 19 October
16:00-00:00 / 538DJ Hotel Presents: Showcase - Armin van Buuren
Having shunned an Ibiza residency this season in favour of touring round the globe, this will be a much needed opportunity for trance heads to top up their van Buuren quota. And, since he'll be on home soil, you can expect him to come out all guns blazing.
19:00-22:00 / Craig David Presents TS5
Having hosted one of the parties of the summer at Ibiza Rocks, Craig David is taking his slick delivery and dulcet tones on the road. This time, he'll be swinging by Amsterdam venue, Paradiso, where he'll unleash his super slick charm on the masses.
19:30-23:45 / Melkweg Presents: Repetitiebezoek Henrik Schwarz & Metropol Orkest
Hot on the heels of gigs at Cocoon, Solomun +Live and three appearances at HYTE this season, Henrik Schwarz will be teaming up with the internationally renowned Metropol Orkest to deliver a one-hour live performance that fuses electronic mastery with instrumental magic.
Thursday 20 October
10:00-18:00 / THE ART OF BANKSY
Because we're not just all about the music, yeah. And Banksy is one of the most important and controversial artists to emerge in modern times. This is a collection of his key artworks - the most valuable one in the world - so well worth sloping down for a gander.
15:00-16:00 / ADE Sounds Lab presents: The DJsounds Show Live with KiNK
KiNK only rocked up to Ibiza a handful of times this summer, and for any die-hard fan - there are many - that's simply not enough. This is a one-hour intimate showdown, in which we'll be able to get to grips with one of the finest live performers in the business. Snazzy.
22:00-06:00 / Afterlife at Loveland ADE
Tale of Us' Afterlife launched this year in Barcelona, that made a beeline for Space, where it took up residency for the rest of summer. Thanks to its ludicrously excellent line-ups, it was packed each and every week, so you can expect this one to be just as busy. Dixon, Mind Against and Âme b2b Rødhåd are all set to appear.
Friday 21 October
15:00-23:00 / Thuishaven ADE with Life & Death
Trust Life & Death to come to Amsterdam with a showcase that would make any hot blooded dance music fan weak at the knees. Here, they'll be showing off their finest, so DJ Tennis, KiNK, Leon Vynehall and Red Axes, among more, are all on the bill.
19:00-23:00 / Audio Obscura presents Maceo Plex x Rijksmuseum
Just the small matter of Maceo Plex playing a special four-hour set at one of Amsterdam's most stunning and historically important venues. It's the first time the famous museum has collborated with a DJ for an electronic music event. So no big deal then.
22:00-06:00 / ENTER. presents Experiences. at Loveland ADE
Richie Hawtin's ENTER. was missing from the Ibiza soundscape this season, so it'll be interesting to see how the party fares in new territory (for us). The main man himself will be playing alongside Recondite, Matador, Gaiser and Maya Jane Coles, so it's already looking promising.
Saturday 22 October
11:00-23:00 / Dockyard Festival
An all-day session with an absolutely monster line-up, if you've not been able to get involved during the week, an early Saturday morning start will help you on your way to catching up. Dubfire, Monica Kruse, Art Department, Rhadoo and Raresh are all signed up.
22:00-07:00 / DGTL x Kompakt
Only two words needed really: Laurent Garnier. Yes, Laurent Garnier will be spearheading a line-up that includes Kölsch, Agoria and Âme. Prepare to marvel at the pioneering sounds of Kompakt, a label that's still going strong after two decades.
07:00-16:00 / FUSE VBX after-hours
After a summer of hook-ups, FUSE once again teams up with HYTE at ADE at Warehouse Elementenstraat. The main event featuring Ricardo Villalobos, Seth Troxler and Enzo Siragusa is already sold out, but if you're already heading there and looking for an afters, you're in luck. On Saturday morning from 7 AM, FUSE teams up with VBX five minutes down the road at BRET. This incredible space is home to an I-acoustic sound system, making it the perfect Saturday morning hang-out spot for those who refuse to go to bed.
Sunday 23 October
12:00-23:00 / Do Not Sleep
Darius Syrossian recently played the set of his life at the Space closing, and after another successful summer spent at the club with his Do Not Sleep gang, they're bound to be flying high. He'll be joined by Alan Fitzpatrick, Anja Schneider, Nick Curly and Josh Butler.
15:00-15:15 / RA Sessions: Howling
Howling played a hauntingly live set on the Sunset Terrace at Afterlife this July, blowing everyone away with their ethereal pop sounds and the otherwordly voice of Ry X. This will be short but sweet, but well worth checking out for some much needed aural pleasure.
22:00 / HYTE ADE with Used + Abused at Warehouse Elementenstraat
Thriving techno promoter, HYTE, left Ibiza buzzing after a solid second season at Amnesia. Two weeks post its farewell closing party on the White Isle, it's descending on Amsterdam to host four beastly parties at Warehouse Elementenstraat. Sunday's event is set to bring in HYTE Ibiza chief, Loco Dice, with Floorplan, Bambounou, Caleb Calloway, Boris Werner and Ingi Visions all included on the line-up.
elrow presents Pyschedelic Bronx
What better way to see out a week of madness than with the maddest of them all - the elrow crew. Nic Fanciulli, fresh from bidding farewell to Space in the booth alongside Coxy and Pepe Roselló, will be leading the frenzy. Saddle up.
WORDS | Abby Lowe PHOTOGRAPHY | Flickfeeder, MichielTon.com, vincentvandenboogaard.nl, Coen van Tartwijk