Alright, fellow ADE lovers—Amsterdam Dance Event 2025 is officially locked in for October 22–26, and the first artist announcement is out now. Over 250 names have just dropped, and trust me, it’s already looking like an unforgettable year.
This will be my fourth ADE, and every time, it somehow gets better. If you’ve been before, you know the deal—five days of raving, networking, crate-digging, and deep electronic music culture, all across one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And if you haven’t? Well, this might just be the year to go all in.
First Drop of the Lineup? STACKED.
The first 9% (yes, nine percent!) of the lineup includes Black Coffee, Clara Cuvé, Confidence Man, Dave Clarke, DVS1, Flava D, Helena Hauff, KI/KI, Klangkuenstler, Narciss, Patrick Mason, Octo Octa, Oliver Heldens, James Hype, Jennifer Loveless, Eris Drew, and Skepta. Plus over 240 more.
Some names that already stand out:
Black Coffee – Coming back for another solo headline at Ziggo Dome. If you’ve seen him before, you know how deep and hypnotic his sets get. The man is a master at taking you on a journey.
Skepta – YES, Skepta! He’s bringing his house label Mas Tiempo to Shelter and also speaking at the ADE Pro conference. From grime to deep grooves—this guy’s range is unreal and his sets go hard.
Klangkuenstler – Another Ziggo Dome headliner, and the king of pounding techno. If you want energy, sweat, and that “holy sh*t” feeling, you’ll find it here.
Octo Octa & Eris Drew – Two legends bringing pure queer joy, breakbeats, and dreamy house energy. If you haven’t caught them live yet, now’s the time.
KI/KI, Narciss, Patrick Mason, Clara Cuvé, Daria Kolosova, NIKS, Marie Montexier – ADE continues to lead when it comes to new-gen talent that’s pushing boundaries across techno, trance, and everything in between.
And this is just the first wave. We’re talking 3,000+ artists total, across 200+ venues. Let that sink in.
ADE Is a World of Its Own
As someone who’s been to three ADEs and counting, what keeps blowing me away is the organization behind it all. Shout out to Buma, the powerhouse Dutch music rights organization that runs this behemoth of an event. They manage to combine high-end production with real artist and industry love—it’s not just a money grab, it’s a cultural platform. You feel that when you’re there.
There are the iconic club nights at places like Shelter, Melkweg, De School, Paradiso, and Hemkade, but also spontaneous boat parties, warehouse raves, and those little “hidden” showcases that end up being the best part of your trip. Every genre, every vibe, every hour of the day.
And then there’s the ADE Pro Conference—which is kind of like TED Talks for dance music nerds (in the best way). I’ve sat in on panels where people like Nile Rodgers, Richie Hawtin, and Peggy Gou casually drop gems about the future of music, touring, and tech.
Don’t Sleep on ADE Lab
If you’re a new artist, DJ, or producer, or just curious about how this whole music ecosystem works, ADE Lab is a must. It’s more intimate than the Pro conference, and filled with hands-on workshops, gear demos, live masterclasses, and advice from people who actually live and breathe the scene.
The energy is super open and supportive. Whether you’re trying to break into the industry or just understand it better, ADE Lab is honestly one of the coolest parts of the whole week.
What’s Next?
This first wave of names is just the warm-up. Over the next few months, expect label takeovers, surprise B2Bs, underground showcases, and those unexpected moments that make ADE what it is.
In 2025, ADE is also extra special—it’s the 30th edition and part of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary celebrations. So yeah, expect something big.
