Sound Without Boundaries: Celebrating Music that Redefines Place and Local Economies
Conference
Sound Without Boundaries: Celebrating Music that Redefines Place and Local Economies
Speakers: Stacey Hotwaxx Hale (Artist), Mirik Milan (Vibelab), Bianca Iulia Simion (Club Guesthouse), Jeremiah Wolf (Peace Ambassador, Mohawk Nation)
Moderator: Ruth Daniel
Electronic music has always transcended boundaries, but today it is also transforming how the world sees and values places often left out of the cultural spotlight. Beyond the big-name festival cities, vibrant electronic scenes are thriving in neighbourhoods, towns, and regions whose stories are rarely told - from rooftops in Ramallah to street parties in Rio’s favelas, from township raves in South Africa to industrial warehouses in Eastern Europe.
This panel celebrates the artists, collectives, and grassroots organisers who are using sound to rewrite the narrative of where they come from - drawing in curious outsiders, inspiring local pride, and creating shared spaces where music reimagines belonging. These scenes don’t just shift perceptions; they can also generate real economic opportunities — from boosting local creative industries to driving tourism and attracting investment into overlooked areas.
The panel will explore:
How sound can spark curiosity and connection to places overlooked or misunderstood.
The ways music scenes become cultural ambassadors, reframing perceptions far beyond their borders.
How local music cultures can stimulate economic growth, supporting creative livelihoods and revitalising neighbourhoods.
How global audiences and networks can engage with these movements respectfully, amplifying without appropriating.
Featuring voices from under-represented scenes, international curators, and community organisers, this session will show how electronic music doesn’t just emerge from a place — it can help reinvent it in the world’s imagination while creating tangible social and economic change.
Conference FAQ
We do not sell ADE Conference only or Day Passes. The only way to get access to the ADE Pro Conference is the ADE Pro Pass.
Tickets for the specialist sessions, such as ADE Lab and ADE Green can be found on the ticket page closer to the date of ADE 2026.
✓ Valid all five days
ADE Pro conference takes place from Wednesday through Saturday, but the ADE Pro Pass benefits go well beyond those four days. The ticket grants access to ADE’s full offering, including all conference programs as well as all ADE Festival and Arts & Culture events* — read on below to get an impression of everything included with your ADE Pro Pass.
✓ Full access to all conference keynotes, panels and locations
ADE Pro is the ultimate business and inspiration gathering for the electronic music industry. The four-day conference returns to live action at our iconic home base Felix Meritis and features dedicated programming at the forefront of our industry. In addition, ADE will also continue to host conference programs dedicated to young creators and aspiring professionals.
✓ Year round access to ADE Pro's networking platform & database
Get a head start on connecting with fellow music professionals and companies with the ADE Pro networking database, available throughout the year. The online networking tool enables you to find and connect with all ADE Pro delegates, showcase your business with a dedicated profile page, plan meetings during ADE and much more. Over 50.000 messages are being sent on the platform yearly, with new professional connections being made on the regular.
✓ Join dedicated networking events and sessions
With over 9.000 music professionals from around the globe gathering in Amsterdam, you’re almost guaranteed to find who you need. An abundance of networking events and opportunities with fellow ADE delegates and industry leaders provides an advantageous base for dealmaking and career advancement.
✓ Access to all official Business Hubs
Whether you’re planning a meeting with fellow delegates, looking for a comfortable spot to work or simply want to hang out between conference events, your ADE Pro Pass grants access to all of ADE’s official Business Hubs.
✓ Access to the complete ADE Festival and Arts & Culture program*
With the entirety of ADE Festival and ADE Arts & Culture accessible with the ADE Pro Pass, your ticket enables you to explore the full spectrum of electronic subgenres in over 200 of Amsterdam’s finest music and nightlife spaces — with 2.500+ artists performing at 1.000+ events during five days and nights.
* Limited capacity at high-demand venues – read more at our FAQ.
✓ Receive the official ADE 2025 Bag
Your ADE Pro Pass comes with the limited edition ADE 2025 Bag, an ADE Pro Pass exclusive included with your ticket.
Our conferences are accessible for all ages in general. Do note that when alcoholic beverages are served, access can be denied.
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