TicketSwap’s ADE Top 10
With Amsterdam Dance Event set to kick off its twelfth edition, the city of Amsterdam, which isn’t a bad place to party at the best of times, will be transformed: 2500+ artists, 160+ venues and almost 1000 events over 5 days, featuring the almost every imaginable electronic music sub-genre.
For the ADE newcomer, it can be more than a little overwhelming, so we’ve got you covered with some basic tips and our top event picks.
Essential info:
I. ADE is both a festival and a conference, alongside all the live and club events, there are also a huge number of industry talks and panels, as well as number of free promotional events such as pop up shops and bars. The full range of events can be found here: https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/
II. Advance tickets are a must, most events under the ADE banner are individually ticketed meaning you need to buy tickets before showing up on the day. You also still have the option of buying a ADE festival wristband for €450, which will give you access to all the events (capacity permitting).
III. Nearly 400,000 visitors are expected at ADE, so unsurprisingly a number of events are already sold out. If your preferred event is sold out, take a deep breath, you can still find tickets on TicketSwap because there are thousands of people selling their extra tickets for hundreds of events each day.
Now that the boring stuff is out of the way, we are proud to present our top 10 favourite events for ADE. It was not an easy feat to ensure everyone at the TicketSwap office was satisfied with the final list (we started with 50 picks), but somehow we managed to narrow it down to 10:
1. Rush Hour ADE
Where? Shelter
When? Thursday, Oct 19 at 11pm
How much? Sold out — check TicketSwap for tickets
Why? Few labels are as embedded in the Amsterdam psyche as Rush Hour Records, who celebrate their 20th anniversary this year. Legendary crate digger Antal will be holding court at Shelter and a live set from Soichi Terada will get the blood flowing early on in the night. More info here.
2. LAPA ADE Special
Where? Claire
When? Thursday, Oct 19 11pm
How much? €16.15
Why? LAPA and Claire are relatively new additions to the Amsterdam nightlife spectrum, only launching one year ago, so this is their first ever ADE party. They are offering up an excellent alternative to the run of the mill House and Techno ADE thrills; they’ve enlisted a full bill of trusted selectors, including Prosumer, LEFTO and Romare. More info here.
3. Audio Obscura x Rijksmuseum present: Underworld
Where? The Rijksmuseum Bicycle Pass
When? Friday, October 20, 7pm to 11pm
How much? Free
Why? A unique location under one of Amsterdam’s must famous landmarks and the rare chance to watch legendary British duo Underworld perform live. Tickets are available only through a lottery. More info here.
4. Into the Woods ADE Weekender
Where? NDSM
When? Friday, Oct 20 12 PM to Saturday, Oct 21 at 11 PM
How much? Friday only ticket: €39.45, Saturday and Weekend tickets: sold out —check TicketSwap for tickets
Why? One of the Netherland’s most infamous festivals takes over the industrial landscape of Amsterdam Noord’s NDSM for 2 days (and nights) of fun. More info here.
5. Innervisions Amsterdam
Where? Ruigoord
When? Friday, Oct 21 at 8pm
How much? Sold out — check TicketSwap for tickets
Why? Two words: Dixon & Âme. Worth the trek to the mysterious surrounds of Ruigoord. More info here.
6. De School: Het Weekend
Where? De School
When? From Friday Oct 20 at 7:30 PM until Monday, Oct 23 at 10:30 AM
How much? Sunday night tickets from €22.04. Friday, Saturday tickets Sold out, available on TicketSwap.
Why? Amsterdam’s most hyped about club will be open throughout the ADE weekend, a proper weekender from Friday to Monday morning. Alongside their music programme, De School complex boasts one of the best cafes and restaurants in the city, so grab some much needed chow while you are out there. More info here.
7. ZeeZout ADE Saturday
Where? Undercurrent
When? Saturday, Oct 21 at 10pm
How much? Sold out — check TicketSwap for tickets
Why? Festival organiser ZeeZout is bringing the noise to ADE with 4 events across 3 days and our pick of them is their Saturday night program at Amsterdam Noord hideaway Undercurrent. Mall Grab heads a bill jampacked with big hitters, such as Tornado Wallace and Project Pablo, that have made triumphant appearances in their summer festival lineup. More info here.
8. Audio Obscura x Job Jobse b2b Special guest
Where? A’DAM Tower — The Loft
When? Sunday, Oct 22 at 7am
How much? Sold out — check TicketSwap for tickets
Why? Catering to the countless of revellers who refuse to go home at 7am, or, conversely, the early rising breakfast ravers, Audio Obscura has put together 3 spectacular after hours sessions during ADE in the unreal surrounds of the ADAM Loft. Our pick of the three features Job Jobse, local favorite and fixture in De School and Trouw, going B2B with special guest yet to be announced. More info here.
9. DJ Harvey All Night Long
Where? De Marktkantine
When? Sunday, Oct 22 at 10pm
How much? €21.75
Why? The plethora of quality Sunday parties means there’s no chance of taking a breather on the final day. De Marktkantine have enlisted DJ royalty, in the form of DJ Harvey, to close down their ADE program with a ‘mere’ 7 hour set. Strap in, its going to be a belter. More info here.
10. ADE Our Society w/ Soul in the Hole: Sadar Bahar B2B Lee Collins
Where? Radion
When? Sunday, Oct 22 at 11pm
How much? €21.80
Why? Radion’s closing party focuses primarily on the two infamous schools of House music: Detroit and Chicago. In the main room, Kyle Hall and Jay Daniel represent the Motor City. But you’ll find us upstairs, where the incredible Sadar Bahar will be B2B with his Chi-town colleague Lee Collins. More info here.
