With ADE being the most importantΒ electronic music gathering in the world, it’s only fair that prominent names from the Indian electronic scene would be there for good measure!

Electronic music is going through one of its most interesting metamorphoses at the moment. Not just when it comes to the commerce of the genre, but the variance in the electronic music spectrum leading to experimental breakouts every other day is worth documenting. And Amsterdam Dance Event or ADE, has helped chronicle electronic music and further it by involving experts, technicians, and amateur entrants from the scene. And in a confluence of such variety, it only makes sense to have the Indian electronic scene represented!

Some of the most significant names from the Indian electronic scene represented the growing beat space of our country at Amsterdam’s most compelling electronic music meet –

Nikhil Chinapa, a name now synonymous with the rise of electronic music in India; an artist who triples up as a DJ, VJ and a leading crusader of India’s electronic rhythm; Tej Brar, the leading scout at Only Much Louder; one known to have an eye for the choicest music as it is, responsible in bringing down some of the more enthralling artists for NH7 Weekender; Sanjay Dutta, one of the most persistently brilliant house music producers in India, with a career spanning two decades;Β Nawed Khan, one of the more popular electronic producers in the country, who commands a compelling following; Arjun Vagale, techno giant as well as founder of UnMute AgencyΒ with Dev Bhatia; Madhav Shorey, the man behind the futuristic experimental sound of Kohra;Β Sharan Behl, the co-founder of one of the most prominent promoters of the scene, WMS Entertainment; Divij Kaul, founder of promoting company Limin Entertainment; and Arjun Shah; the zealot for Shark & Ink, an artist promoting firm; were some of the prominent figures representing India at the grand ADE circuit.

With ADE 2015’s spectacular close, The Sherp got talking to India’s electronic music patrons, about their experience at Amsterdam’s popular electronic conference, and what they had to say about the possibility of an Indian version of ADE.

Last week, The Sherp picked out his favourite venues at ADE, marvelling at the festival’s ability to transform inert spaces into thriving clubs; with former warehouses such as Dockyard, revamped gas chambers such as Gashouder, a former church, Paradiso, and a milk factory Melkweg rising as the favourites.Β Here’s what they had to say about their favourite venues at ADE.Β 

Nikhil Chinapa

There’s no venue like Gashouder in the Westergas Park complex. That area has a bunch of really nice venues, including WesterUnie, but a gigantic concrete and metal dome with incredible music, lights, lasers, fireworks (yes, fireworks!!). That’s hard to beat anywhere in the world!

The Gashouder was built in the early 20th century (there’s a stone engraving that testifies to the year) and was used as a storage facility for gas. Its interiors are cavernous and the steel roofing structure allows for some mad production.

Gashouder(Source: Awakenings Facebook)

Tej Brar

My favourite was Melkweg and particularly the Ninja Tune 25 year anniversary party. Watching Romare into Machinedrum into Bonobo was literally like watching the evolution of the label, with the young guns up first and then handing it over to the OG Bonobo. It’s a great dark room with a fantastic soundsystem and cheap bar. Not much else to ask for. Also, the crowd that night really knew their music. This wasn’t a ‘let’s-go-to-the-club-and-rave and-jump-up-and-down’ crowd, these were proper music heads who were there for all the right reasons.

Delicia-Celik-3 Melkweg(Source: Delicia Celik | Melkweg Facebook)

Sanjay Dutta

I love different venues for different reasons. Gashouder for its sheer size, Panama for its tight sound and feel, Club NL for its intimate vibe, Melkweg for its mind blowing lights/illumination.

Panama(Source: Panama Facebook)

Dj Nawed

For me, Gashouder is extremely special; they host the most amazing lineup of DJs, their production is not generic and most of all, the venue itself which is a decommissioned gas tank is over a 100 years old.

Arjun Vagale

Without a doubt Gashouder has to be my favourite space in Amsterdam, with Paradiso a close second.Β Gashouder because of the Awakenings team –  flawless next level production … super edgy, yet raw.Β Paradiso … well that club has so much history, it’s unreal. Practically every big band has played there at some point, and also because it was the first club in Amsterdam I ever played at.

Lumen Lineas 3Paradiso (Source:Β Lumen Lineas | Hospitalitydnb Facebook)

Dev Bhatia

Gashouder (where Awakenings is held) has to be the number 1 venue in the world. The vibe is incredible, I cannot describe it in words. The music is almost always fantastic with DJs definitely pushing themselves to the limit and the organization is impeccable, you’d never spend more than a minute on the bar to get a drink! Media Haven comes second in my opinion.

Madhav Shorey

Audio Obscura was by far my most favorite simply because it wasn’t a conventional club / festival set up but more like an art gallery which just changed the context of the experience in a really amazing way!

Sharan Behl

Amsterdam is full of great clubs and venues! You’ve got legendary clubs like Melkweg and you have pop-up venues in office buildings, churches, warehouses – pretty much anywhere! My favorite has to be Gashouder. Go watch any of the videos of Awakenings @ Gashouder and you will know why!

Divij Kaul

It was probably Gashouder for the sheer size of the venue and the incredible vibe that it had along with the sound system and production

Arjun Shah

Well, this is a real tough question because a lot of the venues were very ordinary places that had been converted into something mind boggling. I attended the Circoloco Loveland party at Mediahaven and the venue really stood out because the organizers had used it quite effectively to create 2 massive arenas and a smaller stage in the basement.

Fotograafniels.nl_ Mediaheaven(Source: Fotograafniels.nl | Mediahaven Facebook)

ADE is known for putting forth a spectacle of brilliant proportions, from the most enthralling performances to discourses furthering the language of electronic music in general.

What wasΒ their favourite spectacle or show at ADE?

Nikhil Chinapa

Again, I have to say Gashouder. The Awakenings brand delivers the most incredible sound, lights and laser show that I have ever seen. Their production is the best I’ve seen anywhere in the world.

Tej Brar

Β Apart from that I would say Gashouder is always a jaw dropping experience. The production is on another level, especially with their indoor pyro tricks and projection mapping on the walls. I was thereΒ on SaturdayΒ night for Joris Voorn & Friends.

12043101_10153044651567191_245338117294962753_n(Source: Awakenings Facebook)

Sanjay Dutta

The SUDBEAT party at Panama was well managed with great sound. The LOST & FOUND party at Recycle for brilliant music.

DJ Nawed

The Heineken music hall where Axwell & Ingrosso hosted their showcase event was one of the most slickest setups/sets/production I’ve seen in the recent times.

Arjun Vagale

Again Gashouder, on the first day of Awakenings which was a Drumcode Special. I absolutely love that style of Techno, and to experience it in that environment, is something to be experienced.

Dev Bhatia

The Drumcode showcase at Awakenings and ENTER at Media Haven were my favourite nights.

Madhav Shorey

I was impressed by the overall level of production in general and ENTER, Drumcode at Awakenings and the Ellum Showcase had great light and sound.

Sharan Behl

There is nothing like Awakenings at Gashouder for me in terms of the complete experience – Venue, production, sound and THOSE PYROS! To have rockets flying around a few feet above you in an indoor arena is something you need to experience.Β However, I did hear that the production at Amsterdam Music Festival was the grandest of all parties this year.

Divij Kaul

I think the Circoloco gig at MediaHaven had great sound and top production across all 3 stages

Arjun Shah

Awakenings at Gashouder… State-of-the-art production – lasers, lights, visuals, sound…. And to top it all – an INDOOR ROCKET Show… Pyrotechnics like you’ve never seen them.

Panama Amsterdam(Source: Panama Amsterdam Facebook)

With a lineup featuring acts from the most commercially popular names in the industry to the most underground tallying to a number of 2289 acts in all, what was their most favourite act from ADE 2015?

Nikhil Chinapa

Joris Voorn was my absolute favourite along with great sets from Len Faki, RodHad, Hannah Wants, Franky Rizardo going B2B with Simon Dunmore, Stephan Bodzin, Gramatik, Henrik Schwarz, Axwell and Ingross, New ID… it’s a long list!

Tej Brar

I loved The Gaslamp Killer set in between Alix Perez b2b Eprom and before Noisia at the Noisia invites party. He usually plays pretty heavy sets mixed in with a bunch of different eclectic music from around the world and different time periods. This set, I guess because he was in between Alix & Eprom and right before Noisia he went extra hard. The kinda future bass this dude was dropping was just insane and he is a sick turtablist to top it off. Apart from that, the 4 hour Seth Troxler set at the DJ Kicks party was great to watch him build the vibe over that long and bring the club to a musical climax.

Sanjay Dutta

I was purely into the progressive space this year. I loved GuyJ, Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Digweed, SaharZ, Guy Mantzur, Khen, Chicola, Darin Epsilon, CID INC.

DJ Nawed

1 – Joris Voorn

2 – Axwell & Ingrosso

3 – Adriatique

4 – Luigi Madonna

5 – Alan Fitzpatrick

Arjun Vagale

This year I didn’t party too much, I just wanted to concentrate on the business side of things, so didn’t get a chance to discover anyone new, but I did hear Dense &Pika for the first time, and they blew me away. I’m a fan on their productions, so hearing them play was a treat.

Dev Bhatia

A few really, Dubfire was on top of his game, Ida Engberg, Luigi Madonna and Stephan Bodzin stood out from the DJs I saw.

Madhav Shorey

Stephan Bodzin was a highlight for me this year. He’s really got something fresh and strong going for him.
Though, I missed Tale Of Us which was apparently quite spectacular

Sharan Behl

MACEO PLEX- Hands down!

Divij Kaul

Well from whoever I heard I have to say that my favorites were JorisVoorn, Green Velvet, MaceoPlex, Stephan Bodzin, Eric Sneo and Harry Romero.

Arjun Shah

There were at least 20 great sets I heard during my trip..but the one that stood out for me the most was definitely Stephan Bodzin at the Ellum Showcase. 10/10 for mixing, track selection, crowd control. 12/10 for the state of euphoria that gripped the air and everyone in attendance

Nick Warren PanamaNick Warren at Panama (Source: Panama Amsterdam)

Who, according to them, was the most spectacular debut performance at ADE this year?

Nikhil Chinapa

I was impressed with Gramatik’s sound and visual presentation. Max Cooper also did an incredibly beautiful AV set this year. We just stood there with our mouths hanging slightly open, drool trickling off the corners.. and soaked it all in. It was surreal and you don’t get to use that adjective often in dance music.

Tej Brar

I would say more than a single artist it was the label/crew from LA – Soulection. This was their first ADE. They through their partyΒ on WednesdayΒ night at Canvas. It was completely packed and had about 200 people still downstairs trying to get in. Great vibe at the party with the Soulection crew going in with their mix of instrumental hip hop, classic acapellas and future bass.

Sanjay Dutta

KHEN did a brilliant job taking over after GuyJ at the LOST & FOUND party.

DJ Nawed

I was very impressed with the the duo Adriatique, this was the first time that I heard them live and their set was extremely unique.

Sharan Behl

There are great new artists showcasing at every corner in Amsterdam during ADE, it is hard to pin point one!

Divij Kaul

Im not sure how to answer this but given that I had heard him for the first time and how incredible the experience was with his live set I will go with Eric Sneo.

Arjun Shah

I’m not usually one to toot my own horn but from my perspective;Sartek from the Shark & Ink roster had a very fruitful ADE. Results coming your way like laser beams over the next 2- 5 months πŸ˜‰

I’m also very happy to see that Tom &Jame have been named Breakthrough artists of the year by Hardwell. Their productions over the past 12 months have been nothing short of remarkable. One dance floor destroyer after the other.

Soulection (Source: Michelle Helena Janssen [Onscherp]| Canvasopde7e Facebook)
Soulection (Source: Michelle Helena Janssen [Onscherp]| Canvasopde7e Facebook)

ADE wasn’t just the electronic haunt for fans, but also quite the coming together of music, food and lifestyle. We asked our troupe what their favourite eating joints were!

Nikhil Chinapa

My favourite restaurant in Amsterdam is Brasserie Harkema. I always make it a point to eat there and this time, I was lucky enough to grab 3 meals at this amazing restaurant. It’s a 3 minute walk from Dam Square and if you’re ever in the vicinity, dive in and don’t forget the pineapple crΓ¨me brule for desert!!

Tej Brar

Burgerlink is the spot. It’s around the corner from the Felix Meritis and The Dylan where the conference is held. They have these handcut fries and homemade ketchup that are epic and the beef burger next level good. You get to customise it with whatever you want so yeah that would be my bet.

 

DJ Nawed

Maoz Falafel is my favourite thing to eat in Amsterdam.

Arjun Vagale

I’m yet to discover the culinary side of Amsterdam, and in all my visits, its still been a mystery. Though, there was this amazing bakery right opposite our apartment that became a go-to every morning.

Madhav Shorey

There was a lovely spot outside our appartment at Staalstraat 7 which made the most amazing fresh sandwiches that you can imagine.

Sharan Behl

Burger Bar & Fou fow ramen.

Arjun Shah

Meals were either non-existent or long and lavish. Can’t recall but I visited a place for Japanese cuisine, I think the name was Yamazato.

Also, the burger at Barneys for all the beefetarians.

At the end of ADE, the one idea that had The Sherp excited is the possibility of an event as such, bringing together artists, promoters and enthusiasts on the same platform, happening in India. Our final question to the tribe of Indian representation was whether they thought India was ready for anΒ event like ADE, and the reaction was nothing short of hopeful.Β 

Nikhil Chinapa

We’ve started well in India but still have a long way to go. A few years ago, venues were a big problem – we didn’t have enough. We’ve now, in typical Indian ‘jugaad’Β fashion started to convert small bars and restaurants into music venues on weekends and there are dozens of these in many cities. However to get to ADE’s scale and level of engagement, we would need the government to get behind and directly fund music festivals. ADE is completely funded by Buma Cultuur, the cultural arm of the Dutch government. In fact a few nightclub venues are owned and run by the government. Having said that, we’re making baby steps back home and we have the support of local authorities and local governments for our events in India. You have to remember, this is ADE’s 20th anniversary – and at The Exchange (The music conference being executed by Submerge), we’re just in our 2nd year in 2015.

Tej Brar

I hope so! We have nowhere near the infrastructure they have in The Netherlands to pull off an ADE scale event, but that’s not really what matters. What matters is the spirit to want to bring people together from all over the world around dance music and exchange ideas. With the exchange of ideas and just a general touching base with like minded promoters, artists, managers and labels from around the world – that’s really where dance musics future is being shaped.

Sanjay Dutta

ADE is exclusive to Amsterdam. The ADE vibe cannot be replicated or matched outside Amsterdam. However, many festivals are happening in India in a different way.

DJ Nawed

While we do have the numbers to make this event a possibility, what we lack are high capacity venues/clubs in our major cities to host this type of an event so unless we work on that, hosting an event akin to ADE won’t be the same as Amsterdam.

Arjun Vagale

Believe me, it’s coming

Dev Bhatia

ADE has taken 20 years of pure hard work to get to where they are. But yes, we’re inching towards something of that scale, it might take another 10 years or so.

Madhav Shorey

Absolutely, and not too far from now I think.

Sharan Behl

I’ve already heard rumours of such an event coming to India in 2016, watch out!

Divij Kaul

The hope is certainly there, lets see. We can only hope that it can happen.

Arjun Shah

I hope so. Great to see the leading music festivals at home bring global dance music brands to the fans in the form of stages and showcases this year; some of them being Awakenings, Revealed Showcase, Spinnin Records Stage and the like.

Willeke Machiels 3(Source: Willeke Machiels | ADE)