ADE Lab gears up to open its doors next Wednesday, welcoming a record number of young aspiring artists, producers, and music professionals. The move to ADE Lab Village at Westerpark marks a new phase for the Conference dedicated to the next generation of talent, with nearly ten venues transforming into one connected creative hub.
Part of Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), the world’s leading festival and conference for electronic music, ADE Lab focuses on education, inspiration, and professional growth for emerging talent. Each October, it brings together future artists, producers, and industry professionals for four days of talks, workshops, and creative sessions.
For the first time, ADE Lab will be housed entirely within Westergas, forming the new ADE Lab Village: a neighborhood where tomorrow’s music industry takes shape. The concept brings all program elements together in one place: from masterclasses and panels to studio sessions, gear labs, and networking spaces.
At the heart of the Village lies WestWeelde, the main stage for ideas and exchange, where key sessions and panels unfold alongside informal meetups at the Lab Living area. Radio Radio becomes the setting for hands-on workshops and vinyl listening sessions, while Pacific Amsterdam takes on a studio-inspired role with intimate masterclasses and the return of the Gear Test Lab and Gear Workshop Room.
Several new partner spaces complete the Village experience. Bakkerswinkel turns into a recording and production space, while Mossel & Gin and Amsterdam Flavours will host smaller-scale events and learning experiences revealed in the coming weeks.
Alongside the expansion, ADE Lab reintroduces its Open Calls, offering new ways for young creatives to take part in ADE. Initiatives such as Incepted, a collaborative writers’ camp with Sony Music, the FACE 2 FACE DJ contest with Seedj and Face 2 Face, and Club Lab with DJ Mag give Lab Pass holders the opportunity to perform, collaborate, and release music on a professional platform. The we.grow mentorship program by shesaid.so also returns, fostering an inclusive space for guidance and connection within the global music community.
This year’s ADE Lab lineup features a cross-section of artists and experts defining the next chapter of electronic music, including KETTAMA, Indira Paganotto, SPFDJ, Ron Trent, and Octo Octa, alongside sessions like Building Your Artist Brand with DJ AG, and Chlär: KERNEL, exploring the intersection of sound and visual art.
With this expansion, ADE Lab reinforces its role as a platform for artistic growth and professional development. The new layout offers more opportunities for collaboration and discovery, giving emerging talent a home base during ADE to learn, experiment, and connect.
The ADE Lab Pass provides access to all four days of programming within ADE Lab Village. The ADE Lab Passes are on sale, alongside individual day passes. Check out the full ADE Lab program here.
