Feel the beat on Amsterdam Dance Event, the world’s biggest electronica festival

What started out as a small event for a select crowd has now moved into the big arenas. Acts such as David Guetta, Avicii and Axwell & Ingrosso appeal to pre-school kids and party animals alike. Once a year, the biggest names in electronica now join underground acts and rising stars to create a feast of music for some 350,000 visitors from all around the world.

This year’s lineup includes David Guetta, Tiësto, Axwell & Ingrosso, Armin van Buuren, and Martin Garrix.

The ADE boasts 2,200 DJs, concerts at 115 venues, 450 events, pop-up stages, film and art exhibitions, and hardware presentations. Unlike other music festivals, you don’t have to get muddy and cold, and you can forget camping.

Industry representatives come for the conference program, which dissects many aspects of modern day music production. But most of all, it’s about dancing.

The lineup

David Guetta

This Belgian/Moroccan-rooted French DJ and music producer is the creator of hits such as Titanium, The World is Mine and What I did for Love. Guetta is the founder of Gum Records.

Tiësto

Tijs Michiel Verwest, known as Tiësto, is a Dutch Trance DJ who rose to fame in the early 90s with his six-hour one-man sessions, Tiësto Solo. He is one of the founders of Black Hole Records.

Axwell and Ingrosso

Once a part of Swedish House Mafia, this Swedish duo is now signed to Def Jam Recordings. Their official debut was at the 2014 Governors Ball Music Festival in New York. Their single, Sun is Shining, has been a radio favorite.

Armin van Buuren

The Dutchman hosts his own radio show and manages the record label, A State of Trance. In 2013, he became the second DJ act to sell out Madison Square Garden, following the success of Swedish House Mafia.

Martin Garrix

The youngster of the group was signed by record company Spinnin’ Records in 2013. The track Animals, from 2014, was an international list topper.

Amsterdam dance event 14–18 October

The ADE card costs €10 and includes access and free entry to the ADE MusicTalks, the films and several Playground activities.

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