Pounding The Pavement
Dec 1, 2006 12:00 PM, Lily Moayeri
Focusing on electronic music on a global scale, the Amsterdam Dance Event clocked in its 11th annual conference October 19-21. With 41 nightclubs and the support of the Netherlands' Buma Cultuur foundation, Amsterdam is a perfect place for such a gathering.
Unlike other conferences of its kind, which tend to be more party than business, ADE is heavily rooted in networking. The conference's registered 1,700 attendees converged at the Felix Meritis Centre with the intention of moving their product — be it a record label, DJ, artist, club, management, agency, publication or Website. These same people powered on (joined by an audience of 57,000) through the evenings, witnessing the 600 DJs and acts that performed.
Among the notable performers, panel moderators and panelists were Pete Tong, Paul Van Dyk, Josh Wink, Dave Clarke, Fedde Le Grand, Arthur Baker, Tiësto and John Acquaviva. On his panel, “Excitement in Electronic Music,” Wink discussed the positive changes in the world of dance music, from Internet-marketing possibilities to technological advancements and a new era of stage performance.
At the DJ-gear panel, there was an apprehensive start when moderator Clarke realized he was surrounded by salesmen from various software and hardware companies, but he sat back and let them tout their wares until he was able to rein in the discussion.
Meanwhile, Clarke's event with Miss Kittin on opening night at Melkweg — one of the city's interestingly designed nightspots with two adjoining rooms — was called “bananas” by one attendee. Balancing minimal techno with a relentless control on the beat, Clarke has been one of the only DJs who can make that kind of bare sound feel gripping and alive.
Both the daytime and nighttime programs were immaculately organized. The attendee bags even included a list of all delegate e-mail addresses for networking. But despite the fact that ADE is bringing business back to electronic music (syncs, downloads, games), it isn't taking away the fun.
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