The annual Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is always a week-long pilgrimage for electronic music enthusiasts, and this year’s Dockyard Warehouse Festival at Hembrugterrein was no exception. Held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, this iconic event brought together a powerhouse lineup of techno and electronic artists in one of the most unique and industrial spaces the city has to offer. With heavy hitters like ARTBAT, Dax J, SPFDJ, Indira Paganotto, and many more, it was a night of sonic exploration that left fans buzzing.
The Hembrugterrein: A Venue Built for Immersive Experiences
Set against the rugged backdrop of Amsterdam’s industrial Hembrugterrein, the venue for Dockyard Warehouse Festival provided the perfect environment for an all-out techno experience. Hembrugterrein, once a munitions factory, is nestled along the shores of the North Sea Canal. Its massive warehouses and abandoned buildings create a raw and edgy atmosphere that perfectly complements the hard-hitting beats and hypnotic rhythms of the event.
Arriving at Hembrugterrein, the festival’s distinct aesthetic was immediately clear. The sprawling industrial site was transformed into a techno playground, with multiple stages housed in different warehouses and outdoor spaces, each offering a unique atmosphere. This was a true escape from the city, with its colossal structures and open space allowing for immersive visual and auditory experiences. Combined with cutting-edge light shows and projections, the setting felt like an otherworldly portal into the depths of techno.
The festival’s commitment to maintaining a balance between artistic performances and the venue’s aesthetic enhanced the overall experience. With ample space to move between stages, attendees were able to explore without feeling overcrowded, yet the sheer size of the venue created a sense of intimacy in each stage area.
ARTBAT’s Headlining Set: A Monumental Upperground Performance
As the night reached its peak, ARTBAT’s set at the “ARTBAT presents Upperground” stage became one of the festival’s defining moments. The Ukrainian DJ duo, known for their emotive and melodic techno, brought an electrifying energy that perfectly balanced the raw industrial vibe of the venue with their polished, euphoric sound.
Starting at 21:00, ARTBAT took control of the decks, and from the first beat, it was clear that the crowd was in for a mesmerizing ride. Their set was filled with deep, pulsating basslines layered with melodic synths, a signature of their productions. As tracks like “Flame” and “Horizon” filled the air, the connection between the DJs and the audience was palpable. The crowd swayed in unison to the hypnotic rhythms, with each drop eliciting cheers and hands reaching for the sky.
What set ARTBAT’s performance apart was their ability to build and maintain a perfect balance between melodic storytelling and hard-hitting drops. Tracks transitioned seamlessly, moving from ethereal, atmospheric sounds to driving basslines that sent energy coursing through the crowd. The duo is renowned for curating an emotional journey in their sets, and this was no exception. Their music has a cinematic quality, making it feel like every track is part of a larger narrative.
Adding to the magic of the performance was the immersive production surrounding the stage. The lighting design was impeccable, with strobes and lasers pulsing in sync with the music. At times, the lights bathed the audience in washes of color, while at other moments, they cut sharply through the darkness, amplifying the intensity of the drops. The combination of these visuals with ARTBAT’s soaring melodies created a deeply transcendent experience.
The highlight of their set was their closing track, a powerful mix of their hit “For A Feeling,” which left the audience in awe. The emotional crescendo, paired with the dynamic lighting and the sense of unity within the crowd, created a cathartic and unforgettable moment.
Other Stellar Performances: Dax J, Indira Paganotto, Cera Khin, and More
While ARTBAT’s set was undoubtedly a highlight of the night, the Dockyard Warehouse Festival offered a variety of performances across its multiple stages, showcasing the diversity of the techno scene. The HE.SHE.THEY. stage, which featured Dax J and SPFDJ in a powerful back-to-back performance, delivered some of the night’s heaviest and most relentless techno. From 21:00 to 23:00, the duo brought their raw, industrial sound to the forefront, driving the crowd into a frenzy with pounding basslines and aggressive, high-octane beats.
Before them, Indira Paganotto took control of the decks from 19:30 to 21:00, delivering a set filled with psychedelic techno and driving bass that captivated the audience. Known for her unique style that blends trance-like elements with techno, Paganotto kept the energy high, setting the stage for the harder sounds to follow.
SNTS, who performed from 18:30 to 19:30, further darkened the atmosphere with his signature masked presence and brooding, industrial techno. His set was a masterclass in tension-building, with eerie atmospheres and rumbling basslines that added to the underground feel of the festival.
On the HE.SHE.THEY. stage, Cera Khin from 17:00 to 18:30 delivered a high-energy set that blended everything from hardcore techno to rave anthems. Her genre-bending style kept the crowd on their toes, dancing to every unexpected twist and turn in her track selection.
Meanwhile, over at the Warehouse stage, Partiboi69’s set from 21:00 to 23:00 was a wild and energetic ride, blending elements of electro, rave, and techno. Known for his flamboyant persona and eclectic musical choices, Partiboi69 brought a lighter, more playful energy to the festival, providing a stark contrast to the more industrial sounds of the other stages.
An Immersive Atmosphere at Hembrugterrein
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Dockyard Warehouse Festival was how well the production team utilized the venue. Hembrugterrein’s industrial architecture added a sense of scale and rawness that perfectly matched the music. Massive light installations illuminated the night sky, while intricate laser setups inside the warehouses created a hypnotic environment that complemented the immersive soundscapes.
The outdoor spaces offered a place to escape the intensity of the dancefloors, with chill-out areas that gave festival-goers a chance to recharge. Food trucks and bars were scattered throughout the venue, offering a variety of options to keep everyone fueled for the long night ahead. Despite the massive scale of the event, there was a strong sense of organization, with minimal wait times and a well-thought-out layout that made navigating between stages seamless.
The festival also emphasized inclusivity, with the HE.SHE.THEY. stage providing a platform for diverse artists and fostering a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds. This stage, in particular, has become known for its commitment to breaking down barriers in the music scene, promoting diversity, and offering a safe space for self-expression.
Closing Thoughts: A Night to Remember
Dockyard Warehouse Festival at ADE 2024 was a masterclass in how to blend world-class music, innovative production, and a unique venue to create an unforgettable experience. From ARTBAT’s transcendent headlining set at the Upperground stage to the relentless techno of Dax J and SPFDJ at HE.SHE.THEY., every moment of the night offered something different, keeping festival-goers engaged and energized.
Hembrugterrein, with its industrial charm and vast open spaces, proved to be the perfect location for this techno extravaganza. The festival felt like a journey through different sonic worlds, with each stage offering its own unique atmosphere and sound. For those lucky enough to attend, it was a night filled with unforgettable performances and an electric atmosphere that could only be found at ADE.
As the festival came to a close and the final beats of ARTBAT’s set reverberated through the venue, it was clear that Dockyard had once again delivered a standout event at Amsterdam Dance Event, solidifying its place as one of the premier techno festivals in the world.
