The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is preparing for a historic milestone in 2026, celebrating 30 years as the world’s leading festival and business platform for electronic music. To mark the occasion, the organization has invited legendary electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre to serve as Guest of Honour during this landmark edition.
ADE 2026 will take place October 21–25 in Amsterdam, bringing together artists, industry leaders, fans, and innovators from across the global electronic music community. Jarre’s participation will include a series of special appearances, highlighted by a major Opening Concert, an exclusive keynote interview, and additional programming throughout the week.
The anniversary carries special symbolism: while ADE celebrates three decades of shaping the global electronic music industry, Jarre marks 50 years since the release of his groundbreaking album Oxygène. Released in 1976, the album is widely recognized as one of the most influential electronic records ever created, helping define the genre’s sonic possibilities and inspiring generations of producers, DJs, and composers.
For ADE—an event that has hosted countless electronic innovators over the past three decades—the presence of Jarre connects the roots of electronic experimentation with the genre’s modern evolution.
As part of ADE’s celebrated Opening Concert series, Jarre will return to the Netherlands for an exclusive performance at AFAS Live. The concert is presented by MOJO Concerts and Insomniac, promising a spectacular production that blends Jarre’s legacy of monumental performances with cutting-edge modern stage design.
Known for transforming entire landscapes into immersive audiovisual experiences, Jarre’s shows combine music, light architecture, mapping projections, and towering visual installations. For ADE’s anniversary, the artist plans to craft a performance that celebrates both the festival’s history and the enduring influence of Oxygène.
“Electronic music, as well as ADE, has a history, a legacy and a future,” Jarre explained. “The live show at ADE is going to celebrate its 30th anniversary, but also the 50th anniversary of Oxygène. I want to create a journey moving from one track to another with different atmospheres, stage design, giant projections and architectures of lights and video—sharing a moment that stays in your heart and your brain for the rest of your lives.”
Beyond the concert, Jarre will participate in the industry program of ADE Pro through a special keynote interview. The session will explore the artist’s pioneering career—from early analog synthesizer experimentation to massive outdoor performances that transformed city skylines into immersive musical canvases.
Since its founding in 1996, ADE has evolved into the most influential gathering in electronic music, combining a massive multi-venue festival with an international industry conference. Each October, Amsterdam transforms into a global hub where artists debut new music, companies unveil innovations, and industry leaders shape the future of the scene.
Over three decades, ADE has helped electronic music transition from a niche subculture into a worldwide creative and economic force, fostering collaboration across music, technology, media, and nightlife.
The 30th anniversary edition in 2026 will celebrate that journey with a series of special programs, events, and initiatives honoring ADE’s role in advancing electronic music culture.
Tickets for Jean-Michel Jarre’s Opening Concert at AFAS Live will be available Friday, March 13 via MOJO. Meanwhile, the ADE Pro Pass—which provides access to the conference program including the keynote—will go on sale at Early Bird rates starting Wednesday, March 11.
