Amsterdam Dance Event Turns 30: Awakenings Techno and a Trance Reunion

Every October, Amsterdam becomes the center of the dance music world for a week. This year Amsterdam Dance Event turns 30, running October 21 to 25 with thousands of artists across 200-plus venues. It started in 1996 as a two-day industry meeting. The conference side, ADE Pro, runs October 21 to 24, and Jean-Michel Jarre is the guest of honor for the anniversary.

Get a feel for the week

Here is last year's ADE in motion, plus Adriatique live from the 2025 edition. Adriatique plays Awakenings on Saturday this year.

Techno: Awakenings

Awakenings has booked eight shows across five nights at Sugarfactory in Halfweg. Thursday is anchored by Adam Beyer's Drumcode takeover. ADE's first artist wave also included Jeff Mills and Amelie Lens.

Trance: In Trance We Trust returns

On Wednesday, October 21, the In Trance We Trust imprint returns to ADE for the first time in eight years, with a night dedicated entirely to trance at Thuishaven. The lineup: BT, Ciaran McAuley, Craig Connelly, Maria Healy, Sneijder, Virtual Vault and XiJaro & Pitch. The imprint has been a home for trance for more than 25 years.

House is in the mix too

It is not all techno and trance. ADE's first artist wave named Folamour and Octo Octa, and The Martinez Brothers join Joseph Capriati's Friday night at Awakenings.

Thirty years in, ADE is proof that the underground and the industry can share the same city for a week. Whatever your lane, there is a room for it.

Header photo: Together as One, Los Angeles, 2008. Photo: Don Landrum.

Sources: Techno Airlines, Black Hole Recordings, DJ Mag, Techno Airlines (first lineup)