Conference: ADE Saturday becomes the Culture Hub at Felix Meritis

Born in Jamaica in the 1950s, sound systems became more than a way to play music. They were tools for gathering, resistance, and cultural expression. They powered carnivals in London, stood up to apartheid in South Africa, and carried underground raves across Europe. Sound systems remind us that innovation in electronic music begins in communities that create their own spaces and voices. By spotlighting this culture at ADE, we recognize its role as a foundation for today’s scene and as the ground where new ideas take root.

Keynote Linett Kamala - Sound System Culture As A Force Of Healing

DJ, artist, and community organiser Linett Kamala, also known as Notting Hill’s ‘Sound System Queen’, celebrates 40 years in sound system culture. From pioneering as one of the first female DJs at Notting Hill Carnival to leading full sound system takeovers at major institutions, Kamala combines artistic practice and academic research to show how carnival and sound systems can heal, empower, and shape culture.

Sound system exposition - Kebra Ethiopia Sound System

Since its creation, reggae has been more than music: a weapon for justice, a soundtrack for humanitarian causes, and a source of meditation. These ideals live on in Kebra Ethiopia Sound System, founded in South Africa. Known for their hand-built speakers, they amplify not just dub, but a sound of peace and unity. At ADE, a hosted dance session and a photo installation marks their 20-year journey, from Rastafarian roots to their role as a cultural and political force. On ADE Saturday, the focus widens to artists they bring from the African diaspora and continent, which culminates in an exhibitions at Garage Noord and Felix Meritis framing sound system culture through the lens of social justice.

Sound Systems: Raves, Riots and Revolution with Faithless' Dave Randall and Lei di Dai

Sound systems have always been more than speakers. From carnivals to protests, from Brazil’s favelas to underground raves, they amplify voices, challenge authority, and carry movements across borders. This panel with Dave Randall of Faithless and the 'Brazilian queen of dancehall' Lei di Dai looks at their political and cultural power and asks what sound system culture means in today’s age of global festivals and digital networks.

Electronic music has always thrived on do-it-yourself spirit and community drive. From bubbling to Kawina, these panels highlight the creativity and resilience of grassroots culture, where heritage and innovation go hand in hand.

Live sampling session & showcase with Jarreau Vandal

A showcase on the influence of Kawina music on contemporary electronic music at ADE's in-house program. Jarreau Vandal will be sampling some live Kawina rhythms as a masterclass/showcase in the main hall of the Felix Meritis, accompanied by the TNO Sound System. Founded in 2015, the TNO collective is rooted in streetwear but draws from art, music, and youth culture to design garments that encourage self-expression. Beyond clothing, the brand operates as a cultural platform, supporting local talent and shaping creative spaces in Amsterdam and beyond.

Jarreau Vandal will also participate in the panel 'The origin and influence of Kawina music'; a talk about the origin and influence of Kawina music with artists Janaoh and visual anthropologist Manpreet Brar (Dutch-spoken)

Kawina Collections: Afro-Surinamese Music, Heritage & Spirituality

This film is an ethnographic exploration of what Kawina music means to different musicians, producers, dj’s and listeners. It shows passion, nostalgia, experimentations and most of all different ways in which people are concerned with and take care of kawina music as Afro-Surinamese heritage.

Q&A and showcase: Bubbling Beats Vol. 7

Two decades after the last edition of the legendary ‘Bubbling Beats’-series, the impactful platform is making a triumphant return. This year Chuckie, who played a major part in the series, and his team resurrect Bubbling Beats under the PlayTune label, both to make the classics physically available again, and to showcase the bubbling scene’s new generation and it’s current and future sound, movement and talent. Their newest compilation in the series, Bubbling Beats Vol. 7, will be released during this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event. Join us for an exclusive album Q&A and showcase spearheaded by De Schuurman, for the latest on the new wave of bubbling.

Culture & Ownership: How To Build Your Own Heritage (Dutch-spoken)

An interactive talk on creating cultural heritage with integrity and purpose. Vanity Roxane, Joan Biekman, and Lara Jade share their experiences in preserving hip-hop heritage, building inclusive platforms, and carving out spaces for women+ in music. Together they explore how to claim ownership and leave a lasting cultural impact.

Subcultures are the global scene. The Culture Hub traces the communities and visionaries that continue to spark innovation in electronic music; from sound systems to streetwear, from Brazilian funk to Tokyo’s industry realities.

Campfire Q&A with Cultural Icon Karl Kani

Carl ‘Karl Kani’ Williams, the ‘godfather of urban streetwear’, brought hip-hop style from Brooklyn to the global stage. In this session he reflects on his legacy, the craft that built his brand, and how music and fashion continue to shape culture together.

Audiomack presents: Africa’s Streaming Boom - A Global Strategy

The African streaming economy is opening new opportunities for artists and reshaping global collaborations. Audiomack’s David Ponte, Chief Marketing Officer and co-founder of Audiomack, and Felix de Jong join South African artists DBN Gogo and Gigi Lamayne to discuss how streaming drives careers and carries sounds from the continent to the world.

Navigating the Japanese Music Industry

Curated by Aran Abe (KIIRO), this panel brings together leading figures such as Hide Kawada, Mimi Shimada, Akiko Usuki, and moderator Michel Holshuijsen to explore artist management, nightlife, and publishing, bridging Japan and the international scene at ADE Pro.

From the Baile to the World

Brazilian funk’s pioneers trace the genre’s evolution from Baile parties to global phenomenon. Curated by Baile da Galecta and Criativos Foundation, this session is part of a dedicated focus on Brazilian Funk at ADE Pro, which includes the DJ workshop on ADE Saturday. Join Galecta and Bronka for an authoritative look at the past, present, and future of one of the world's most dynamic musical forces.