Seven of the best ADE Lab Sessions for DJs & Producers

After what feels like an eternity, Amsterdam Dance Event is finally back in the flesh following a two-year hiatus. This year’s event features a jam-packed festival and conference schedule full of events, talks and live sessions from some of the biggest names in the electronic music space. 

One of the highlights of this year’s edition has to be the ADE Lab, promising four days of masterclasses, Q&A’s, demo drops, competitions and much more. 

As we prepare for Amsterdam Dance Event 2022, we look at seven of the most valuable sessions in the ADE Lab (in no particular order) for aspiring DJs and Producers: 

The Art of Demo Pitching

Sat, Oct 22, 2022; 14:45 – 15:30 at Brakke Grond (Darkroom) | Nes 45, Amsterdam

With so many producers and music creators globally, we know it can sometimes feel like it’s impossible to get noticed by A&Rs. But there are secrets to upping your game and creating a better chance to get noticed by your favourite label – and we’re going to share them! In this workshop, Tessa Butler, Creative Manager at Kobalt Music Publishing, will teach you all the tricks of the demo pitching trade. The high-speed course gives you the inside track on ‘the dark art’ and will include topics such as Introduction Publishers and Song Pitching, Genres and Themes of Today, Creating the Best Songs Possible, Dos and Don’ts of Demo Pitching and What’s next? You are the creators of the future of Dance and Electronic music; learn how to realise that potential here!

Quick Guide: Spotify for Artists Masterclass

Fri, Oct 21, 2022; 15:00 – 15:45 at Brakke Grond (Boom Box) | Nes 45, Amsterdam

Spotify is the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, with 433m+ users, including 188m+ subscribers, across 183 markets. During this Spotify for Artists Masterclass, the team will take you on a personal guide through the creative tools, features and resources they are building to help artists find and connect with an audience both on and off the platform. With roots everywhere, dance and electronic music continue to evolve and reach a new generation of listeners on Spotify. Be the first to hear about Spotify’s latest developments in this space and understand how they’re helping artists reach audiences in new and innovative ways!

Carl Cox: The Three Deck Wizard goes Live

Sat, Oct 22, 2022; 15:15 – 16:00 at Brakke Grond (Boom Box) | Nes 45, Amsterdam

With decades of experience at the forefront of dance music, playing all over the globe and pivoting from his three decks to full live sets, the one and only Carl Cox joins ADE Lab 2022 for a unique and intimate session on ADE Saturday. His much anticipated first album in over ten years, ‘Electronic Generations’, is out on October 28th. Written, produced and performed by Carl Cox, it truly captures the feeling of those hybrid-live sets we all long for. Curious how he does it? The legend comes in with a bang and takes you inside his live setup!

RA Exchange Live: Peggy Gou

Thu, Oct 20, 2022; 18:45 – 19:30 at Brakke Grond (Boom Box) | Nes 45, Amsterdam

RA Exchanges are a series of conversations with the artists, promoters and labels shaping the electronic music landscape, now coming to ADE Lab for a special ADE x RA live recording with intermediary creative influence and electronic artist: Peggy Gou.

Evolving as an Artist with Oliver Heldens

Wed, Oct 19, 2022; 17:15 – 18:00 at TOBACCO Theater (Groove Box) | Nes 75-87, Amsterdam

It is hard to believe, but we got to know Oliver Heldens and his chart-hitting EDM hits almost a decade ago now! But nowadays, the artist with +billion streams on his name is also gaining popularity with fans of deeper and darker sounds under his house and techno influenced alias Hi-Lo. Having grown as a person during his career and as someone who is curious about creating music that resonates with the person he is today, his sound has evolved into two different aliases. This sure to be an eye-opening conversation with Oliver, as he details his decision to start creating in a new genre which comes along with a new scene and culture, how he finds inspiration for both projects and balances two successful careers as just one person. A unique glimpse into the creative mind of the multi-talented artist!

The Iconic Extended Live Sets of Reinier Zonneveld

Wed, Oct 19, 2022; 16:00 – 16:45 at TOBACCO Theater (Groove Box) | Nes 75-87, Amsterdam

Reiner has earned a reputation amongst artists, audiophiles and the wider electronic scene for the intricate live elements within his sets and the fact they’re made up solely of his own productions. Learn first-hand how the Dutch techno mastermind uses a hefty gear set up to perform from day-to-night, sometimes up to 12 hours straight. During this unique live demo session, attendees have a rare chance to see Reinier’s studio gear set up close as he breaks down his method to building the live sets that have earned him his legend-status reputation.

Not a Diving Podcast with Ellen Allien by Scuba | Live ADE Special

Wed, Oct 19, 2022; 15:15 – 16:15 at Brakke Grond (Darkroom) | Nes 45, Amsterdam

ADE Lab Podcast Special | Live Recording Scuba’s ‘Not A Diving Podcast’ documents music history and gives an insight into the psychology of artists and what motivates them to create while diving into all the juicy topics of the day. Notable guests include Tiga, A Guy Called Gerald, Cassy, Cinthie, Dave Clarke, Anja Schneider and MJ Cole. Other highlights have come from respected industry guests, including Chris Goss (Hospital Records), Rich McGinnis (The Warehouse Project), Aphex Twin’s agent, Ned Beckett, Melissa Taylor from leading PR agency Tailored Communications and promoter Nicole Cacciavillano – who helped break dubstep in the US. During the podcast’s first live recording at ADE, Scuba will chat with Berlin techno legend Ellen Allien.

Ellen Allien is one of the most iconic artists of her generation, an authentic figurehead of techno music, and inspiring visionary of Berlin’s electronic community. The DJ, label head of bpitch and UFO Inc, artist, collaborator and curator will open up about her intrinsic creative drive during this one-of-a-kind ADE Lab Podcast special with Scuba’s ‘Not a Diving Podcast’.

Amsterdam Dance Event takes place from 19-23 October at venues throughout the city. You can check out the complete program HERE.