Scene
cover photo: Brakke Grond_From Vocal Booth to Dancefloor_Jasper ten Tussche
guest columnist: Bruno Einfakinn
ADE 2025 Through the Eyes of Einfakinn: A DJ’s Deep Dive into the Magic and Madnes
Every year I swear, “this is the last ADE for me.”
And every year, I’m proven wrong.
Because ADE isn’t just another festival – it’s a gravitational pull for anyone whose life orbits around underground music, community, and the art of sound. It’s that perfect collision of passion, chaos, and opportunity that keeps me coming back. And 2025 was no exception.
Here’s my story – what I saw, what I heard, and what I learned about balance, music, and why I’ll probably keep saying “never again” right up until next October.
What Is ADE, and Why It Matters
Amsterdam Dance Event – or ADE – is the ultimate meeting point of the global electronic music scene.
It stretches across five days and nights every October, taking over Amsterdam with more than a thousand events spread across hundreds of venues. It’s equal parts festival, industry conference, creative playground, and reunion.
By day, the city turns into a think tank of panels, label meetups, brand activations, and tech showcases. By night, it becomes the world’s most diverse club circuit – from intimate lounges to abandoned warehouses.
For DJs, promoters, and event organizers like me, it’s the perfect mix of work and play. You get to network, reconnect, discover new sounds, and, most importantly, recharge your inspiration. ADE isn’t just a party marathon — it’s a living, breathing ecosystem for dance music culture.
Thursday – Setting the Tone: Guy J All Night Long – The Other Side
I landed in Amsterdam Wednesday evening and kicked things off on Thursday night with Guy J All Night Long at The Other Side.
If you know Guy J, you know what to expect: deep, melodic, emotionally intelligent progression. The crowd was exactly what I hoped for – older, experienced, more dancer than poser. The vibe was pure focus: not many phones in the air, just heads down and eyes closed.
As an opening night choice, it was perfect. The music moved patiently, building slowly, weaving storylines through rhythm. It reminded me why long sets are a lost art – the patience, the control, the connection between DJ and dancefloor. For me, it was like watching a masterclass in restraint.
Friday – The Unplanned Opener: AM.RADIO Powered by SoundCloud & Madam invites Kitty Amor & Friends
Friday was supposed to be my “recovery day.” Balance is everything at ADE.
But that went out the window when I got invited to AM.RADIO powered by SoundCloud, featuring multiple artists, as well as Amémé and Ankhoi – two artists I’ve been following for a while.
AM.RADIO’s concept is brilliant: it’s about capturing the spontaneity of the underground – raw, intimate, and curated around connection rather than spectacle. It’s where you find sets that breathe; grooves that feel organic. It was like going to brunch, where everyone is feeling fresh and giving happy vibes. I left the venue with a grin and zero regrets about ditching my “rest day.”
Later that night, I stopped by Madam invites Kitty Amor & Friends, featuring Ape Drums, JAMIIE, and Shimza. I didn’t stay long – Saturday was shaping up to be massive – but even that short visit was worth it. The energy was sharp, colorful, and full of personality. It’s one of those nights that reminds you how global house music has become, and how seamlessly it all connects.
Saturday – The Heartbeat Days
Audio Obscura at Rawfactory / Innervisions 20 Years
Saturday started early with my traditional pilgrimage to Audio Obscura. This year they also hosted the Innervisions 20 Years celebration – and for someone whose sound has been shaped by that label, it felt like coming home.
Two stages, two moods: one introspective, one explosive. Each room told its own story, both perfectly balanced in energy. As always, Audio Obscura delivered an event that felt both massive and deeply personal – a rare mix.
Watching those artists, many of whom have shaped my own DJing, felt like a reunion with mentors – some I’ve met, some I’m still working on meeting, and a few I’ve only awkwardly nodded across the dancefloor pretending it counts. It’s more than just hearing your favorites play – it’s seeing their ethos in motion.
Afterward, I took a short recharge break at a friend’s place – food, phone charging, a drink or two. The kind of tactical pit stop that saves you later.
Then came DND – Do Not Disturb, a private lounge at W Amsterdam. Most people don’t even know it exists. It’s guest-list only, table-service, and slightly mysterious – which makes it all the more fun. You usually know who’s on the lineup, but there’s always room for surprises – like when Black Coffee casually turned up the night before, as if that’s a normal Wednesday. A hidden gem that breaks the ADE chaos for a few hours of pure, curated groove.
Next, I joined Garden of Dreams for their 10th anniversary party, where Bonjasky b2b Lehar delivered a set that embodied why I do what I do. It wasn’t just music – it was storytelling. You could feel the decade-long bond between the crew and their audience who came all the way from Sarajevo.
Finally – the moment of truth.
As the sun began to rise, Audio Obscura × Innervisions hosted their Sunrise Party at The Loft. The view over Amsterdam, the light creeping in, the seamless b2b2b2b2b between Innervisions all-stars – it was otherworldly.
That’s where ADE hits differently. It’s not about “the biggest drop” or “the rarest ticket.” It’s about that perfect balance of intimacy and euphoria, when you realize everyone in that room has followed the same emotional thread to get there. This was my highlight – my ADE crescendo.
Lessons, Advices & Takeaways
Balance Isn’t a Myth, It’s a Strategy
I didn’t want to burn out this year. I ate properly, took breaks, and let spontaneity happen only when it felt right. ADE can chew you up if you let it – but when you respect your limits, it becomes way more rewarding.
You’re Always Learning, Even When Watching
Every set is a classroom. I pay attention to how DJs control flow, use silence, or stretch transitions. As an organizer, I notice crowd movement, sound design, even lighting choices. ADE is full of lessons if you keep your eyes open.
Community Over Celebrity
Sure, big names draw headlines. But what makes ADE special is the sense of community – the friends you run into at 6 a.m., the DJs you’ve booked and only emailed with before, the friends who you know you’re gonna see at the same exact spot, one year later. That’s the soul of it all.
ADE Is a Circuit, Not a Sprint
It’s not one event – it’s a living network. You connect, recharge, and loop through music, business, and friendships. You don’t “survive” ADE; you flow through it.
Every Year I Say I Won’t Go – and Yet, I Do
There’s something addictive about this ritual. You think you’ve seen it all, done it all, that you’ll skip next year. And then ADE announcements arrive, and you find yourself booking flights, texting your crew, and promising yourself “just a few nights.”
And again – no regrets.
For Those Who’ve Never Been
If you’re a DJ, producer, or anyone involved in the scene, ADE is not optional – it’s the heartbeat of electronic music.
- It’s not just parties: the daytime programming is pure gold. Panels, workshops, networking, gear demos.
- It’s the whole city: every corner of Amsterdam turns into a dancefloor or think-tank.
- It’s global and local: you’ll hear everything from deep Berlin techno to Afro-fusion house.
- It’s about people: the conversations, the collaborations, the random moments that lead to real opportunities.
Final Thoughts
ADE 2025 reminded me why I fell in love with this scene in the first place. It’s a week where art, business, and emotion blend into one long, beautiful blur.
From Guy J’s deep dive at The Other Side to the Innervisions sunrise at The Loft, every moment carried a sense of purpose – both personal and collective. I left tired, sure, but more inspired than I’ve been in months.So yeah – maybe next year I’ll finally skip it.
But if history is any indicator, I’ll probably see you in Amsterdam. Again.
