Amsterdam Dance Event is just around the corner. The time of the festival has been set, for quite a while, and will take place between the 18th and 23rd of October this year. Of course I am going, as I have been for the last 6 or 7 year. I will meet up with my friend Sandip (the other Editor at Unmute) as well as another two good friends Pierre and Goran. We are all flying in from different places around Sweden and Norway and so ADE is a great place to come together under a common interest.
People go to Amsterdam for different reasons, some to see attractions like The red light district or the Anne Frank House. Some come to experience Amsterdam from above (read doing drugs). Some like sexy looking nurses. I personally like Amsterdam for the music scene, the laid-back atmosphere, the cool people and of course for the pancakes. It is a great city in which to just exist, specially during ADE.
So what is in store for this years visit? Well, I assume PioneerDJ will have a showroom like previous years. It is always worth a visit. Hopefully they will also have DJ Sound shows (or recording thereof) during the ADE week. Those are always great since you can just sit back and enjoy cool music presented by good international DJs. It is a way for Pioneer DJ to showcase their products, so it is the perfect place to do just that.
I will for sure, and at least once during my visit, have a pancake breakfast. A visit to Amsterdam without pancakes is like sex Demolition man style. Perfect start of a day, even though it is already 3 p.m.
If you are a music enthusiast, go listen to some records, or better, expand your collection, at Rush hour records. Great Record label and record store that also has performances in the store during ADE. In 2016, artists like Louie Vega and Recloose performed there, in this wet and funky environment.
Now on to my top 5 tips for parties and concerts to visit this time around during ADE 2017.
Pick 1:
Hercules and Love affair, this fantastic band with one foot in the old school and one in the new, is just incredible live. I heard them at the Springfestival in Graz, Austria a couple of years ago, and they did not disappoint. They are playing live at Melkweg, which is a wonderful location. Read more about the event here.
Pick 2:
Detroit Love ADE is my second pick. It features Carl Craig, Moodymann, Kenny Larkin, Kevin Saunderson, Stacey Pullen and Mirko Loco. Many big names in the line-up. I have heard Carl Craig and Moodymann before, and their great. This is set to be a really cool event, and again in a cool laid back location. Check out the event here.
Pick 3:
Fogbank and Good For You Records Label Showcase at the Cinema Café, is an underdog-party for sure, but looks rather inviting with acts like Kenny Summit, J Paul Getto and Joey Chicago. I have not heard these guys performing yet, so why not seize the opportunity. Read the details here.
Pick 4:
Number 4 on my list will be the ZeeZout x Dimensions ADE 2017. Simply because a couple of the artists has caught my attention. I have heard Baba Stiltz and Hunee in their Boiler Room Sets. I am curious as to what the Swede can do at ADE, and I just love Hunees style and choice of music. The location is great too, but mind you, it is a little bit off on the north side of Amsterdam. Ferries are free though.
Pick 5:
The Electric Disco night at Café in the city offers a full evening, 6 hours of pleasure (whatever form it comes in), with Ron Carroll that might be interesting. The location is a bar in the middle of Leidseplein, and the entrance is free. So there really is no reason not to go, specially if you have not booked any other event. 🙂 The Bar/cafe is quite nice actually.
As you see I have not suggested the bigger parties. Nor have I concentrated on the Big room events with a lot of techno, simply because I tend to like the “cosy” events better. Also, I rather prefer house music before techno. Also I have concentrated on artists or events that are new, or have something new to offer at ADE. Trying to keep it interesting to myself as well. What do you think of these events. Let me know in the comments below.
See you in Amsterdam!