Off the Beaten Track

Friday, 01 October 2021
To help you find the hidden gems in a sea of events, with just as many options as little time until ADE, our Off the Beaten Track guide lists some venues and artists that may not have caught your eye at first glance but are definitely worth discovering.

Women of House I & II
With a 100% female lineup, Women of House's two ADE events highlight female veterans and rising stars behind the turntables, put new talents from all over the globe front and center, and celebrate inclusivity in the club scene. Their first event takes place on ADE Friday at PRIK Amsterdam, with artists including First Lady and Nicky Drummond, and Women of House part II takes place on ADE Saturday in the newly added venue Blend XL, with Lady Deep and Mercedes, among others. Both events are completely free of charge.

New York Transit ADE showcase
OT301 is a social centre and venue for music and films in the building of the old Amsterdam Film Academy, that was squatted over 20 years ago by a group of artists. This year during ADE, the OT301 invites talent from across the Atlantic. New York Transit residents Peter Groovin, Phil Peoples, and Th'Acquisition perform alongside guests Charlton and Chicago based Jamie 3:26 on ADE Wednesday.

Holy grounds

Although churches and holy places perhaps don't immediately come to mind when thinking ADE, they serve as some of the most iconic settings to appreciate a performance of your favourite artist. Each with their own story, all with a rich history in Amsterdam.

24classics presents: Canto Ostinato by Ivo Janssen & Boris Acket
Take the opportunity to discover classical music this ADE, by means of ritual or as self-discovery, while breaking boundaries in the perception of music. In the surroundings of the renaissance style Zuiderkerk, audiovisual artist Boris Acket creates mesmerizing visuals to accompany the minimal, ritualistic Canto Ostinato, performed by pianist Ivo Janssen. There are two chances to experience this show, with one starting at 19:30 and one starting at 21:30 on Saturday night.

Nubiyan Twist - Super-Sonic Jazz ADE Special
A mix of cultures, rhythms, and genres come together in an eclectic live show by nine-piece collective Nubiyan Twist, with both nostalgic and modern sounds at the same time. The venue Paradiso is very fitting; seeing that it's an old church in the heart of Amsterdam that has been converted to a renowned contemporary pop temple.


Mike Williams Regained 18+
Mike Williams is back at The Koepelkerk with his ‘Regained’ solo show this year, where you get the chance to dine and dance in a 17th century neo-classical style church in the centre of Amsterdam. This church is part of the Canal Ring Area, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Since the Lutherans left their copper roof dome in 1935, The Koepelkerk became a concert hall. The Koepelkerk is normally not open for public, but the Mike Williams ADE show is your chance to a experience live electronic music in acoustics you normally couldn't.

Holy grounds

Although churches and holy places perhaps don't immediately come to mind when thinking ADE, they serve as some of the most iconic settings to appreciate a performance of your favourite artist. Each with their own story, all with a rich history in Amsterdam.

24classics presents: Canto Ostinato by Ivo Janssen & Boris Acket
Take the opportunity to discover classical music this ADE, by means of ritual or as self-discovery, while breaking boundaries in the perception of music. In the surroundings of the renaissance style Zuiderkerk, audiovisual artist Boris Acket creates mesmerizing visuals to accompany the minimal, ritualistic Canto Ostinato, performed by pianist Ivo Janssen. There are two chances to experience this show, with one starting at 19:30 and one starting at 21:30 on Saturday night.

Nubiyan Twist - Super-Sonic Jazz ADE Special
A mix of cultures, rhythms, and genres come together in an eclectic live show by nine-piece collective Nubiyan Twist, with both nostalgic and modern sounds at the same time. The venue Paradiso is very fitting; seeing that it's an old church in the heart of Amsterdam that has been converted to a renowned contemporary pop temple.


Mike Williams Regained 18+
Mike Williams is back at The Koepelkerk with his ‘Regained’ solo show this year, where you get the chance to dine and dance in a 17th century neo-classical style church in the centre of Amsterdam. This church is part of the Canal Ring Area, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Since the Lutherans left their copper roof dome in 1935, The Koepelkerk became a concert hall. The Koepelkerk is normally not open for public, but the Mike Williams ADE show is your chance to a experience live electronic music in acoustics you normally couldn't.

Delic x Huda + Eboman present Lone Wolf
Going through the city as a lone wolf during ADE, you’ll find a pack soon enough at Melkweg on ADE Sunday. Producer and multidisciplinary artist Delic finds a boundary-pushing connection with Creative Director Huda and the Dutch video technology artist Eboman for their electropop and now-disco inspired Lone Wolf project.


I AM HARDSTYLE presents: Brennan Heart 20 years
Q-Factory
Brennan Heart started his musical adventure over two decades ago, and now shares his passion for hardstyle at the ‘I AM HARDSTYLE presents: Brennan Heart 20 years’ event at Q-Factory, a venue located in the east of Amsterdam that brings education, cultural creativeness and music together. Heart celebrates his hit singles and heart for hardstyle on two nights: Thursday (sold out) and Saturday.

Delic x Huda + Eboman present Lone Wolf
Going through the city as a lone wolf during ADE, you’ll find a pack soon enough at Melkweg on ADE Sunday. Producer and multidisciplinary artist Delic finds a boundary-pushing connection with Creative Director Huda and the Dutch video technology artist Eboman for their electropop and now-disco inspired Lone Wolf project.


I AM HARDSTYLE presents: Brennan Heart 20 years
Q-Factory
Brennan Heart started his musical adventure over two decades ago, and now shares his passion for hardstyle at the ‘I AM HARDSTYLE presents: Brennan Heart 20 years’ event at Q-Factory, a venue located in the east of Amsterdam that brings education, cultural creativeness and music together. Heart celebrates his hit singles and heart for hardstyle on two nights: Thursday (sold out) and Saturday.

Ready to go beyond the beaten track and discover more events that are worth walking or biking a little extra for? Check out our ADE Festival program with all confirmed events so far: