As the countdown to the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2024 begins, excitement is building for what promises to be an unforgettable week in the heart of electronic music culture. With just two months to go, ADE has unveiled an extraordinary lineup of Opening Concerts, set to take place on ADE Wednesday, each offering a unique, immersive experience in some of Amsterdam’s most iconic venues.
This year’s Opening Concerts showcase a diverse array of artists and performances, embodying the spirit of innovation and creativity that ADE is known for. The concerts will take place in four distinct locations: the Van Gogh Museum, Door Open Space, Bimhuis, and Melkweg. These venues will host performances that blend music, visual art, and cutting-edge technology, providing an immersive experience for attendees.
Eefje de Visser (Unplugged) | Van Gogh Museum
The series will kick off with an intimate, unplugged performance by the award-winning Dutch singer-songwriter Eefje de Visser. Set against the serene backdrop of the Van Gogh Museum’s glass-walled atrium, Eefje will perform stripped-down versions of her songs, accompanied only by guitar, piano, and vocalists. This concert promises to create an ethereal atmosphere, merging the worlds of visual art and music in a way that highlights the emotional depth of her work.
COCON II by Nick Verstand x Cello Octet Amsterdam | Door Open Space
In a stunning fusion of classical music and cutting-edge technology, audiovisual artist Nick Verstand and Cello Octet Amsterdam will present “COCON II” at Door Open Space. This performance will feature a captivating interplay between musicians and eight robotic arms, which will create dynamic three-dimensional light shapes. The second iteration of the COCON project is custom-designed for ADE, offering an immersive and trance-inducing experience that blurs the lines between art and technology.
Greetje Bijma X Oceanic + LUXE (Live) | Bimhuis
Bimhuis will host an extraordinary collaboration between legendary free jazz singer Greetje Bijma and electronic music artist Oceanic. This performance promises to be a meeting of improvisational jazz and leftfield techno, creating a sonic landscape that defies genre boundaries. Following their set, London-based producer LUXE will take the stage, delivering a live performance that blends classical music with contemporary electronic sounds.
50 Years of J Dilla x Metropole Orkest | Melkweg
Concluding the series is a tribute to one of the most influential producers in hip-hop history, J Dilla. Celebrating 50 years of his legacy, the renowned Metropole Orkest, in collaboration with multi-instrumentalist and composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, will reinterpret J Dilla’s groundbreaking work in a way that’s never been heard before. This concert, held at Melkweg, marks the eighth consecutive year that Metropole Orkest has opened ADE, and is set to be a highlight of the week.
The full program for ADE 2024 will be announced in the coming weeks, with individual tickets available through the ADE program and the ADE Pro Pass. As a not-for-profit organization, the Amsterdam Dance Event Foundation is dedicated to nurturing the global electronic music industry, fostering development, innovation, and talent, and laying the groundwork for future generations.
With such an innovative and diverse lineup of Opening Concerts, ADE 2024 is set to once again establish Amsterdam as the epicenter of electronic music and culture.
