The 2014 Amsterdam Dance Event

The dates have been set for this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event. The annual dance music showcase is split into three separate, concurrent programs, each delivering a different aspect of the global dance music phenomenon to an estimated total audience of a staggering 350,000. Last year’s event marked 25 years of dance music in Amsterdam and featured talk shows with luminaries like Richie Hawtin, a book launch, an outdoor art exhibition and several film screenings.

ADE will take place from the 15th to 19th of October of this year, featuring a Festival, a Conference and what they’re calling ‘Playground’. The festival lineup is yet to be released but expect the biggest names in house and techno. Last year saw the likes of Adana Twins, Loco Dice, Laurent Garnier, Maceo Plex and Maya Jane Coles performing live in clubs around the popular city of culture. Over 2,000 DJs will entertain ticket holders, across 30 events in 80 venues playing the full spectrum of electronic music to visitors from around the globe.

The city will become the Playground and will offer music enthusiasts “a large and varied daytime program” over the five days, including music hardware presentations, art shows and exhibitions, exclusive fashion offers, and pop-up musical performances at 25 “creative hotspots” around the city. These will be set on roof-top terraces, in clothing shops, at art galleries, as well as outdoor exhibition spaces and cinemas.

The Conference is referred to by the organisers as the “business arm” but isn’t all sinister CEOs and cold, shallow music execs, it also offers advice and talks from producers and labels on how to start independent record labels, get your music out there and aims promote a “relationship between music and technology [with] sustainable and ecologically responsible practices for the global dance music industry.” It will be a chance to rub shoulders and network with people in the business and meet the next wave of new talent coming through.

No one needs an excuse to hit ‘Dam, ever, but if for some reason you did, you’ve just found it. Keep for a full program and lineup, earlybird tickets are available already.