The State of the Live Industry: One Year On
Conference
The State of the Live Industry: One Year On
Speakers: Michael Discenza (Prime Culture), Tinie Tempah, Rebecca Kane Burton (Superstruct COO), Matt Smith
Last year we asked whether independents could survive a live industry reshaped by VC consolidation and a scene edging toward duopoly. That conversation isn't over, but this year we want to push it somewhere new. Dynamic pricing has gone from quiet industry practice to public flashpoint — when a ticket's price can double based on demand in real time, who is that actually protecting, and who is it pricing out? As booking increasingly leans on streaming numbers and algorithmic data to decide who gets a slot, are we losing the instinct — and the risk-taking — that used to define good curation? And with production, insurance, and touring costs still climbing post-pandemic, how much of that is passed down to crew and support acts before it ever reaches the consumer? We'll also ask a harder question about access: as ticket prices climb faster than wages, who can actually still afford to attend, and what does that mean for who a "scene" even represents anymore. Forty-plus years in, is there still a shared culture holding this industry together — or has it splintered into parallel scenes that no longer talk to each other? No easy answers last year. This year, new fault lines.
The time of the event is still to be announced.
Conference FAQ
The ADE Pro Pass provides access to our complete conference program. As well as:
+ Year round access to ADE Pro's networking platform & database
+ Join dedicated networking events and sessions
+ Access to all official ADE Business Hubs
+ Access to the complete festival program (limited capacity at venues)
+ Access to the Arts & Culture program (limited capacity at venues)
+ Receive the official ADE bag
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.
✓ 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 11.000 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 300 of Amsterdam’s finest music and nightlife spaces — with 3.300+ artists performing at 1.200+ events during five days and nights.
* Limited capacity at high-demand venues – read more at our FAQ.
✓ Receive the official ADE 2026 Bag
Your ADE Pro Pass comes with the limited edition ADE 2026 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.
If you want to apply for ADE 2026, you can fill in the form here. If you're interested in contributing to ADE Pro or Lab, whether through a keynote, panel, workshop, or proposal for a relevant speaker or topic, we’re open to ideas with clear focus and industry value.
Haven't received your ticket(s) or cannot find them? You can easily find them by following the steps on this page.
NOTE: This leads you to a page of the Weeztix website, where you can find your ADE passes, as well as some ADE festival tickets - only if the tickets of the event are sold via ticket provider Weeztix.
If you are stil unable to find your festival ticket(s), please contact the individual festival event organizers.
If you are still unable to find your Pro Pass, please contact us at [email protected].
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