Festival season is never over in Amsterdam. Continuing the summer fun, Amsterdam Dance Event is set to bring close to 2,500 artists, playing in over 140 locations around Amsterdam for its 22nd edition from October 18-22. Soon enough, the black and yellow flag-lined streets will greet visitors from across the globe as they walk through the pearly gates (fine, automatic sliding doors) of Amsterdam Centraal. During the day, ADE explorers can attend roundtable discussions hosted by their favorite DJs and producers, music production symposiums where they can tinker with the latest and greatest hardware, network with like-minded folks over drinks, or find a FREE recharge station to replenish their mind and body with yoga, vitamins, and superfoods while preparing for the next party. With so much happening, we thought we would take the guesswork out and provide you our best picks for daytime raves and late-night revelry. Here are the Bizarre Culture staff picks for can’t-miss parties of ADE 2017.
When: Friday, October 20, 2 pm – 11 pm and 11 pm – 4 am
Where: Thuishaven
Hosted by label boss DJ Tennis, with Moscoman, Gerd Janson, Honey Soundsystem, Jackmaster, Jennifer Cardini, Lucy, Leon Vynehall, Marvin & Guy, Margot, Red Axes and The/Das on the rota, the amount of good music getting played at this party will be hard to beat. It is surely a showcase of all that Life and Death has accomplished so far and a peek into the future explorations of the label. The Bizarre Culture music editors have been looking forward to this party for months.
2. De Marktkantine – Hivern Discs
When: Saturday, October 21 at 10 pm – 6 am
Where: De Marktkantine
This is the third time Hivern Discs is taking over De Marktkantine for Amsterdam Dance Event. Join John Talabot, DJ Dustin, Genius of Time, Fantastic Man, Khidja, Black Merlin and Alicia Carrera on Saturday night for an unforgettable odyssey through diverse shades of techno.
When: Sunday, October 22 at 1 pm – 11 pm
Where: Thuishaven
Lineup: Maeve returns to ADE this year with an all-day party at Thuishaven. Join Mano Le Tough, Baikal, The Drifter and Aera on the last day of the festival.
When: Thursday, October 19 at 8pm-10pm
Where: Club Paradiso
Belfast duo Bicep finally released their debut album, and it fitfully lives up to expectations. They have taken all of their influences and crafted them into a delightfully homogeneous live set. Come see them at Paradiso on Thursday.
When: Saturday, October 21 at 10 PM – 7 AM
Where: Scheepsbouwloods
DGTL, one of the biggest music festivals in Amsterdam is teaming up with Kompact, one of the biggest labels in the electronic music. Michael Mayer, who recently contributed to the legendary DJ Kicks series, is going b2b with Patrice Bäumel. Hard hitting names such as Roman Flügel, Apparat Danny Daze, Pachanga Boys and Tobias Thomas are also on the rota. Plus the live sets from Weval and Gui Boratto. This will be a slam dunk.
6. DGTL
When: Thursday, October 19 at 10 pm – 7 am
Where: Scheepsbouwloods
DGTL is bringing some of the most iconic names in the electronic music industry for ADE. We expect nothing less than iconic from Nina Kraviz, Âme, MODESELEKTOR, Jon Hopkins, Ryan Elliott, De Sluwe Vos, Fort Romeau and local producer/perennially featured warm-up DJ Oceanic who are set to play at Scheepsbouwloods on Thursday.
When: October 20th 12 pm – October 21 11 pm
Where: NDSM
Lineup includes: Beesmunt Soundsystem, Rebolledo, Bruxas, Abstract Division, Rampue, Robag Wruhme, David Vunk and many more.
Out of the woods and into the industrial docklands of NDSM just across the IJ from Centraal Station (free ferries run all day and night), the ADE version of this intimate, whimsical, end of summer Dutch festival hopes to deliver the same quality, eclectic performances. With over 61 acts scheduled that include live indie dance, classic German techno, disco, house, funk, and a DJ performance via cassette only, this party offers a sonic experience for everyone. Tickets for Saturday are still available.
8. ADE Closing Party with Mind Against, Tsepo, and very special guest
When: Sunday, October 22, 11 pm – 8 am
Where: Shelter
If you weren’t able to attend any of the previous parties on our list, or you’re a hard charger with one left in the chamber, Shelter is closing out ADE with a killer party located across the IJ. With a banging sound system, a dark, intimate dance floor, and a world-class lineup, this a fine party to cap your ADE experience.
When: Wednesday, October 18, 10 pm – 6 am
Where: Oosterbar
Amsterdam’s own Tsepo kicks off the first night of ADE by hosting and featuring his own event for the first time at a bar in the Oost neighborhood. While well-known enough to headline and host his own club nights, Tsepo has made his career opening and closing for big hitters like Âme, Gerd Janson, Mano le Tough, and John Talabot, along with some epic all-night b2b sessions – and keeps getting invited back. Look forward to eight hours of dance floor smashers – old and new – spanning synthy 80s italo-disco, tribal, afro-percussive techno, esoteric dance-pop hits and 90s house.
When: Saturday, October 20, 2017, 6 pm – 6 am
Where: Ruigoord
Lineup includes: DJ Dustin, Kettenkarussell, Konstantin, and Leafar Legov.
This party is sold out, but look for more tickets to become available as the date approaches. Giegling parties have a reputation in Amsterdam for never disappointing, so their ADE showcase should be no different. Located at the artist enclave Ruigoord between Amsterdam and Haarlem. Catch it if you can.
11. Mary Go Wild Basement Raves
When: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 2 pm – 8 pm daily
Where: Mary Go Wild
Lineup: TBD
Maybe the best kept not-so-secret during ADE are the annual basement rave sessions at local vinyl purveyor Mary Go Wild right smack in the center of old Amsterdam center. Stop in to buy that record you can’t get out of your head, or walk down to the basement for a very intimate mini-rave with a local or global headliner. 4 sets a day, 3 straight days. Last minute DJ announcement. Get there early.
