This year, due to the travel restrictions, fewer ADE visitors from the United States and Asia are expected than usual. “But we certainly expect foreign visitors”, director Van de Ven said this morning NOS Radio 1 News. “Only this time they don’t come from overseas, but mainly from Europe.”
The ADE director thinks the dance festival still occupies a valuable position on the world stage. “We host 350 events in five days and we have a huge international lineup.”
‘Riding upside down’
Dj Reinier Zonneveld, who will be performing in Ziggo Dome this week, is happy with the return of ADE. “The Netherlands is known as a leader in the dance world, in terms of production and line-ups. Now we can show again how we can turn clubs and tents upside down.”
The artist himself has been able to tour extensively in recent months, he says. “For example, through the rest of Europe, where most countries are already open. And after ADE I’ll fly to Las Vegas, to kick off my tour through North and South America.”
Reinier Zonneveld is not alone. Great Dutch DJs, such as Tiësto, Afrojack and Martin Garrix, have long been playing again in the United States, the United Kingdom and at festivals in other European countries. In Ibiza, the clubs are slowly opening again, in Germany that has already happened.
‘Restrictions have consequences’
The fact that Dutch discos and clubs currently have to close at midnight could endanger the Netherlands’ leading position in the dance field, fears Ghamte Schmidt, manager of DJ Carista, who also performs during ADE. “The Netherlands has an extremely good infrastructure when it comes to clubs. And in terms of festival density, it is unprecedented here. But the current restrictions have consequences for the market value of Dutch dance.”
Frank Helmink of Buma Cultuur, the foundation that charts the export value of Dutch dance music, sees things a bit more rosy. “Of course it didn’t help that the clubs had to close for so long. But the risk of losing the leading position has always been there. The market is getting bigger, the offer wider.”
According to Helmink, this edition of ADE will turn out better than some people think. “It is far from what it used to be, but it is becoming more international than expected.” The director of Buma Cultuur says he has received several invitations this week from people from the European dance industry to meet in Amsterdam during ADE. “ADE is sending out a signal this year: we can go again.”
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