Five things to look out for at ADE

Photo: Jeff Mills

There's only one destination for dance music lovers come October 13th - 17th, as Amsterdam gets taken over by all things rave in the shape of Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE).

With every electronic music DJ and producer worth their salt embroiled in the gargantuan fest in one form or another, the Dutch capital becomes the centre of the universe for all avenues of dance music - an annual beacon that celebrates the history of, and looks ahead to the future of club culture. Watch last year's after movie below.

The programme of parties, lectures, tutorials, demonstrations, and more is quite frankly overwhelming, which has prompted us to delve deep into what's on offer and unearth five key things we feel you should be getting involved with whilst you're there.

Kompakt's flurry of parties

German label Kompakt has been a big part of the festival for most of the twenty years it's been operating, making anything they do there a must for anyone with even a passing interest in the joyous melody-drenched techno and tech house they're known for.

This year they host a pop up store which includes unannounced till the day live and DJ sets at OZ, and a huge party with DGTL to close the festival out on the Saturday, where Weval and Kolsch play live alongside DJ sets from Maceo Plex, Micheal Mayer (relive his Boiler Room set above), Patrice Baumel and more.

Jeff Mills echoing the work of Rembrandt

There are few artists who epitomise dance music's forward thrust quite like Jeff Mills. The Detroit legend will make two appearances at the festival, with the TR-909 maestro unleashing his Time Tunnel techno masterclass in Warehouse 22 on the 16th.

But the day before he'll be working in a reconstructed version of the studio Rembrandt used in the 17th century as part of a collaboration between the festival and The Rembrandt House Museum. The idea is to for Mills to create three compositions that evoke the mastery of the Dutch painter. Sounds absolutely barmy, but if anyone can pull it off, it's Mills.

Andy C's RAMsterdam

Drum & bass legend Andy C is easily the genre's greatest global custodian, an insanely gifted DJ who also runs one of the genres most successful labels, so who else is better placed to represent the music in Holland? He'll be joined by label mates Calyx & Teebee, Rene LaVice and Bensley (the chap behind the guest mix on our latest podcast below).

Mixmag DJ Labs with Steve Rachmad

We're massive fans of Mixmag's DJ Labs series, where the elite of the electronic music scene deliver DJ sets and occasional fist pump worthy dance moves from the magazine's London office.

That fun gets taken on the road too, and their ADE showcases in particular are always great explorations of underground house and techno. This year is no different, with Steve Rachmad joined by Boris Werner and San Proper on Thursday night at cool as you like hotspot Studio 80.

Sander Van Doorn's trance theatrics

ADE is literally a haven for any dance music lover, and in amongst the bubbling underground parties and art collaborations are a multitude of offerings which cater to the more mainstream tastes.

Local hero Sander Van Doorn's annual parties there are one of the best examples of the latter. His Doorn Records showcase means the stadium sized trance grooves of Firebeatz, Gregor Salto, Joe Stone and the man himself (watch his set from Ultra Music Festival last year above) will soundtrack Escape Club on Wednesday evening. Warning - this always sells out.

Head here for more on ADE.

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