Day Program :: Night Program :: Travel Information :: Cool Destinations :: Where to Stay :: Tips :: Recommended Gigs
The ADE runs annually in Amsterdam and is the worlds best Electronic and Dance Music Industry conference/festival. The day conference is held in the centre of Amsterdam at the historic canal-side Felix Meritis building and the luxurious neighbouring Dylan Hotel while the night program dominates every club in Amsterdam. They are expecting 2,000+ professionals from over 36 countries, 600+ artists/acts to perform and a festival audience of 80.000 at the ADE this year.
Day Program
This is what really sets the ADE apart. The day program is outstanding and really well run from the topics covered, the speakers, the venue and the conference facilities available via the business lounges (wireless Internet, bar, lots of seating). Thursday and Friday is when it all happens so get any meetings out of the way then. Any time you are not in a seminar you can chill in the Business Lounge. The important thing really is to be around. Pull yourself out of bed and get down there. It's worth it.
Good conferences we've have seen include Approaching Markets in Asia/Eastern Europe/North America, The clubbers circuit, Positivity in Dance Music with Josh Wink, Music Technology with Dave Clarke to name but a few. People are usually in bits by the Saturday so it's very much a low key affair. There wont be as many people around. There's usually a Q&A session with somebody big. Last year it was Kevin Saunderson. Dave Clarke usually hosts "Demolition" where he and other guests dissect submitted tracks from people attending the ADE.
The first conference:
"Natasha Kizzie, head of entertainment at EURO RSCG KLP London will be taking part in the Brands On the Live Circuit panel. Kizzie has been instrumental in putting together large branded events such as the V Festival and T In The Park as well as brokering the Groove Armada deal with Bacardi. The Music Synching panel will include Jason Alexander, founder of Hit the Ground Running (HTGR), which is a leading boutique music supervision company based in Los Angeles. Jason and his team oversee the music for several award-winning TV programs such as CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, Everybody Hates Chris, Entourage, Cold Case, Without A Trace, and studio films including Flicka and Goal, along with various documentaries. Joining Jason will be the music supervisor of Vertigo Films Lol Hammond who has been music supervisor on many British movies, Including 'Its all gone Pete Tong', 'Football Factory', 'Dirty Sanchez The Movie', the bafta nominated 'London to Brighton', 'Outlaw' and 'Sparkle'.
Further panels: The Artist Debate; How to Manage Success!, Health and Environment, Investment in Sound and other topics concerning Licensing, Management, and (Online) Distribution."
Night Program
This is where the fun starts. Every club in Amsterdam will house various DJs, Artists and Label nights. The standard of clubs in Amsterdam overall is outstanding so wherever you decide to go will be good. So what you do for the night program is really down to yourself and your own tastes. This was some of the parties Bodytonic went to in 09
Wednesday:
The official launch party for the ADE takes place on the Wednesday for those attending the conference. Last year Monochrome (Romania) were the featured act and there was lots of free Heineken.
Thursday:
From 10 am until 9pm there will a photo exhibition from the KLM Paul Huf Award 2008 winner Pieter Hugo. Also the "SAE and Bootleg DJ Cafe present: Insidelook Producer Workshop with Vince Watson" at Studio K from 6 to 9:30pm.
The Westerunie will host Joel Mull, Ste Rachmad and Michel De Hey. Clashing with that though will be Monika Kruse and Gregor Threshor at the Flexbar. Nice dilemma to have and all but I really don't know where to go. Monika is one of my favorite producers.
Friday:
No doubts about Friday. The Sand club is host to "Cocoon Goes Amsterdam Part V: Disco Invaders" with Sven Vath, Mathew Johnson, Guy Gerber, Tobi Neumann and Andre Galuzzi. Seen Tobi and Andre in Ibiza recently. Quality. There is also an official Cocoon afterparty in Club Home; starting at 5 in the morning and finishing at 12 the next day. Line-up not confirmed.
DJ Pierre is also playing at the Mansion if you have problems getting in and there's an Intacto night at the Flexbar. Innervisions will have a party at Melkweg with performances from Ame, Dixon, Schwarz and Marcus Worgull. Seen them in club 11 last year. Always worth a look these guys.
Saturday:
Some interesting early evening entertainment provided by Addictive TV at the Concrete Image Store: "Twice voted number 1 VJs in the world by DJ magazine Addictive TV will present a special installation of selected audiovisuals works at Concrete. Visitors are invited to view selected pieces of work and see why mainstream Hollywood film companies, from Paramount to New Line Cinema, are queuing up to have their movies, like the blockbuster "Iron Man", remixed into audiovisual dance music tracks by the Addictive TV duo."
The "Contakt - 10 Years of Minus" party will take place in the Sand on Saturday. Monster line-up including: Richie Hawtin, Magda, Troy Pierce, Marc Houle, Heartthrob, Jon Gaiser, Barem and Konrad Black. Not a single weak link. Sick.
Sunday:
Thea closing party at Club NL
Travel Tips
Easiest way in from the airport
Getting to Amsterdam is easy from Schipol airport. Simply walk out of the arrivals area, straight ahead through the terminal and the metro is right in front of you downstairs to the underground. There are trains every 10mins that leave you in Amsterdam central station. It takes about 20minutes.
Buy a Strippen Karte, pronounced as "Strippa card", which you can use on all trams once you have hit the city, which is essential for getting around. Every trip within the city is normally 2 zones, so when you get on the tram you just say "1 time, 2 zones" .
Check out Metro map here: http://www.amsterdam.info/transport/metro/
NEW: Amsterdam All in 1 Travel Ticket
The ‘Amsterdam All in 1 Travel Ticket’ is a combination of a Schiphol-to-Amsterdam return train ticket and the choice of a 24, 48, 72 or 96-hour ticket for GVB public transport in Amsterdam and vicinity. Travellers stamp the combined ticket when leaving Schiphol and then have unlimited travel for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours on all GVB tram, metro and bus services throughout Amsterdam. Travellers stamp the combined ticket again when returning to Schiphol. This combi-ticket can be purchased at the Holland Tourist Information located opposite Arrivals Hall 2 and open daily from 07:00 to 22:00.
Cool Destinations
Bars
Blauwe Theehuis (Blue tea-house)
Food and drinks in a in the centre of Vondelpark. Really nice in the afternoon for coffee or a beer. To get there, go to Leidseplein and walk towards the wagamama, you will find a little square beside it, go over the bridge here beside Holland Casino and you walk straight into the Vondelpark, keep following the main path in the park for 5 minutes and you will find it.
The Odeon
This is a Bar/Club/restaurant and more. Not sure about the Club but is nice for an evening cocktail. Its located on the Singel which is a very long canal so if your going here , make sure you know which end of the street its on.
Chocolate Bar
Nice bar in the Pijp area open on weekends until 3am.
Bep/Diep/Getaway Cafe
These are 3 seperate bars on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal beside Dam square that are always good for a drink anytime of the day. They are across the street from Bar NL and Abraxas coffee shop.
Lux (Marnixstraat)
Cool bar around the corner from Leidseplein, open till 3am Wednesday to Sunday, DJ's every night and nice staff, atmosphere and overall a great bar.
Kamer 104 (marnixstraat)
This is next-door to Lux and is a similar vibe, basically if Lux is full go here or vice versa.
Clubs
Sugar Factory
This is a great new venue near leidseplein on Lijnbaansgracht 238, always something worth checking out here. Everything from House, Soul, Techno, Live bands plus more. A definete winner.
Paradiso
Housed in a former church, Paradiso is a temple of contemporary music. The atmosphere and acoustics are internationally renowned. A popular venue for live music as well as special club nights. Should be lots of stuff going on here during ADE. Its located just beside Leidseplein next door to Wagamama.
Bitterzoet
Bitterzoet has set out to be a stage for underground DJ's, collectives and projects in Amsterdam. The idea is to have a new happening every night. Checking the agenda you may find such different venues as Afro-Cuban jazz fusion, funk jam sessions, hip hop battles, skateboarding performances, reggae nights and house parties. The audience at Bitterzoet is dynamic and young, and knows where to buy the rarest sneakers, where to find the underground venues that counts and which record store that has the best selection of vinyl sampling material. Its situated at the beginning of the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal beside the crown plaza hotel.
Jimmy Woo
Traditional Hong Kong meets modern design. Exclusive club with black leather sofa’s and opium tables on the main floor and a large dance floor with a lit ceiling downstairs. Dress to impress: door policy is guest list first, grovellers second. Its also located on Leidseplein, look for Boom Chicago and its down the street beside it.
Panama
The trendy location of this 'entertainment transformed building' (opposite Java-eiland) is affectionately known as the 'Manhattan of Amsterdam', typically due to the industrial heritage of the city. As well as being a nightclub there is also a restaurant open from 12 everyday. Check the website to see what's on. Its located behind central station to the right (East).
Bar/Club NL
Stylish club located in the heart of Amsterdam. Velvet couches and a packed dancefloor. Normally good stuff going on here and is very reliable at the weekends. This is located on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal beside Dam square.
Cafe Cuba
This is on Nieuwmarkt square which is located near the red light district. Good cocktails and a nice meet up place before a bite to eat at one of the many Asian restaurants in the area.
Food
Bazar (Middle eastern to Mexican)
This is a really nice and big restaurant in the Pijp area. Two story restaurant with everything from middle eastern to mexican food. great atmosphere and layout. Worth checking this place out.
Albert Cuypstraat 182 1073 BL AMSTERDAM
Tel +31-(0)20-6750544; Fax no. +31-(0)20-6732196
Chao Pyra (Thai)
This is possibly one of the best Thai restaurants your likely to find anywhere. Good prices, amazing food and spacious atmosphere.....if you like Asian food you must go here. Its in the Nieuwmarkt which is located close to the Warmostraat and Red light district. There is a load of other restaurants on this square that are decent, also cafes, bars and coffee shops a plenty.
Noa (Fusion)
Leidsegracht 84. NOA is the place to unwind and let the excellent service come to you. Choose from a tasty menu of noodles, soups & salads
Barca (Spanish and Tapa's)
This hip yet elegant resto-bar with a night-time interior complimented by day-time Spanish cuisine, offers entertainment on Sundays. From 5-10pm a House DJ plays a combination of Funk, Jazz and Blues to create a mood whilst you enjoy your me. Its situated behind the Heineken brewery
De Harkema Brassiere (Nes 67)
This place is beautiful spacious restaurant, good value and quiet chic. Worth it if you want a nice meal and plenty of space. Every style of food from Steaks to asian dishes. http://www.brasserieharkema.nl/
Coffee Shops
Since the introduction of the smoking ban in the Netherlands things have changed in terms of coffee shops. You are not permitted to smoke tobacco with your weed or hash so this means you either smoke pure weed joints or else you smoke pipes. This is quite impractical but there is talk of certain allowances or changes being made with the law to accommodate this.
De Tweede Kamer (beside Spuiplein)
The best coffee shop in Amsterdam, simply because of the quality of their products. Its tiny with only room for 15 people or so but mainly people buy here and smoke elsewhere.
Dampkring (Beside Kalverstraat)
This is owned by the same person as the above coffee shop, weed is similar quality but this place bigger.
Kandinsky (Rosmarijnsteeg)
Once a simple place, it has recently been refitted. It's now got a modern interior on three small levels. The biggest and best of the three Kadinskys. In a street full of book shops
Rokerij (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat, on the same street as McDonalds beside Leidseplein)
Nice coffee shop just off Leidseplein done in Moroccan style furniture. Touristy but nice vibe. DJ's play on weekends.
Sensi Coffeeshop (Oude Doelenstraat, near Waterlooplein)
Upstairs here is very chilled, floor seating and lots of plants.
Kashmir lounge (Near the Overtoom)
Nice coffee shop where you can chill and lay back on some cosy cushions. Take tram 17 from Centraal Station stops at the Kinkerstraat end of JP Heijenstraat closest to Kashmir.
Where to stay
Its best to stay very central in Amsterdam, i.e near Leidseplein/Dam/Vondelpark. Getting around will be easy on foot, tram or bike. We would advise booking as early as possible as the rush for ADE will bump up prices and availability.
General tips about the city
Areas to avoid
Our advice would be to not get stuck in the area's around central station (i.e Warmostraat) as these are the real tourist traps and is fairly shit compared to places you could visit around the city. Amsterdam is a very safe city and tourists rarely run into hassle, we would advise if you do decide to indulge in any Class A activities DON'T BUY FROM GUYS ON THE STREET for 3 reasons...you will get ripped off, its mostly muck and these guys are likely to give you hassle no matter what.
Nice areas:
Negen Straatjes
If your just strolling around in the afternoons, really nice to visit the 9 streets (negen straatjes).....loads of 2nd hand shops, record shores, hip cafes and bistros.
Jordaan
Area called "de Jordaan" (West Amsterdam), really cool typical area of amsterdam....really beautiful, nice cafes & bars. This is where you wanna have a house if you live in Amsterdam.
De Pijp
Just a short tram ride south of Centraal Station takes you into one of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant districts of Amsterdam. Perhaps it owes its name to the long narrow streets that resemble pipes or to the infamous gas company, the ‘Pipe’, which used to supply energy to the area. Whoever or whatever is responsible for the name should be proud of the association.
Waterlooplein Flea Market
This is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and has shit loads of clothes, records, posters, food. Nice market to walk around. You can walk there in 5 minutes from Muntplein.
Record Shops:
The main record store in Amsterdam for good music is Rush-hour and is a must for any serious DJ's. They Stock everything from Hip-hop, House, Techno, Electro and jazz music. They run a wicked label out of the store under the same name and are also involved in many club nights around the city. They always have wicked stuff going on during ADE, i.e Danny Krivit spinning for a few hours in the afternoon with free booze and food. It is located on the Spuisstraat which is near Dam square, 3 tram stops from Central Station.
Rush Hour Records Spuistraat 98 (pronounced "Spow straat") 1012 TZ Amsterdam
There are lots of other 2nd record stores around Amsterdam especially in the Negen Straatjes (9 streets) and the surrounding area's.
PS: Just ask any Dutch people about locations ,worth finding these places. So if your in doubt just ask, people are very friendly and helpful and everyone in Amsterdam speaks English.
Bodytonic gig recommendations for ADE
Thursday:
Brownswood recordings & Get Physical @ KSPACE (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 262)
Gilles Peterson / Lefto / BPM (Brownswood Recordings, GB) LOPAZZ (DE) live Patrice Bäumel (Get Physical, GB) Hosted by K-Space and DJBroadcast
Freerange Label night @ Studio 80 (Rembrandtsplein)
Timst’r (WKND, NL) Shur –I –Can (Freerange, GB) Jimpster (Freerange, GB) Nick Curly (8 Bit, DE) Gorge (8 Bit/Freerange, DE)
Rednose Distrikt @ Canvas (Wibautstraat 150)
Wicked dope sounds from Amsterdam's finest production crew, worth checking
Wave Music night @ Sugar Factory
Dekmantel (NL) François K (Wave Music, US) Beat Pharmacy (Deep Space Media / Wave Music, US) Tedd Patterson (Wave Music, US) John Daly (Wave Music, US) Hosted by François K
Friday:
Innervisions & Compost @ K-Space
Marcus Worgull (Innervisions, DE) Michael Reinboth / Phreek Plus One Jay Shepheard (Compost, DE)
High School @ Winston Kingdom
Andreya Triana (GB) live Adi Dick (Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa, NZ) live O.Boogie (Faces Records / Beat Dimensions, NL)
Resident Advisor & Innervisions presents Critical Mass @ The Melkweg
Schwarz / Âme / Dixon (Innervisions, DE) live Âme (Innervisions, DE) Dixon (Innervisions, DE)
Saturday:
Buzzin Fly, Miso and Cielo @ K-Space
Charles Webster / Justin Martin (Miso Records and Buzzin’ Fly, GB) Nicolas Matar (Cielo, US) Hosted by K-Space and DJBroadcast#
Objektivity & Pow @ Club Home
Dennis Ferrer (US) The Martinez Brothers (US) Karizma
Chemistry @ Wester Unie
Marcello (Chemistry, NL) Todd Terje & Prins Thomas (Full Pupp, Eskimo Recordings, NO) Charles Webster (Miso Recordings, UK)
Sunday: (for winding down if your still around)
Wicked Jazz sounds @ Sugar Factory
Kraak & Smaak (Jalapeno records)
Missing Links
€7 with festival pass