Amsterdam Dance Event Marks 30 Years with Jean-Michel Jarre Opening Concert
Words: Phoebe Smith
March 11, 2026

Electronic music pioneer Jean‑Michel Jarre will headline the opening celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) in 2026, with a special opening concert at AFAS Live on 21 October. The performance will launch ADE’s landmark anniversary edition, taking place 21–25 October 2026 in Amsterdam, and will coincide with another milestone for the French composer: the 50th anniversary of his seminal album Oxygène.

Opening Concert Celebrates Electronic Music History

The opening concert is part of ADE’s annual Opening Concert series and will see Jarre return to the Netherlands for an immersive live production combining large-scale visuals, architectural lighting design and projection mapping. Presented by MOJO and Insomniac, the show will translate the artist’s signature stadium-scale spectacle into the AFAS Live setting.

Jarre said the performance will reflect both ADE’s legacy and the enduring impact of Oxygène:

“Electronic music, as well as ADE, has a history, a legacy and a future. The live show at ADE is going to celebrate its 30th anniversary, but also the 50th anniversary of Oxygène.”

The composer also hinted at an ambitious audiovisual production, moving between contrasting atmospheres and stage designs while incorporating large-scale projections and lighting structures.

Keynote Appearance at ADE Pro

Beyond the concert, Jarre will also appear during ADE’s industry conference programme with an exclusive keynote interview at ADE Pro. The discussion will explore his five-decade career, from early studio experimentation to the groundbreaking outdoor concerts that transformed entire cityscapes into immersive electronic music experiences.

Additional appearances from Jarre during the event are expected to be announced in the coming months.

ADE Turns 30

Since launching in 1996, the Amsterdam Dance Event has grown into the world’s largest club-based electronic music festival and conference. Each year the event brings together artists, industry professionals and fans across hundreds of venues throughout Amsterdam.

The five-day programme now spans more than 1,200 events and features over 3,300 artists across club nights, concerts, conference sessions and cultural programming focused on the global electronic music scene.

For its 30-year edition, organisers plan to roll out a series of special events and initiatives celebrating ADE’s influence on the evolution of electronic music culture and industry worldwide.

Tickets & Further Information

Tickets for the ADE Opening Concert featuring Jean-Michel Jarre at AFAS Live go on sale Friday 13 March via MOJO.

ADE Pro Passes for the industry conference programme are already available at Early Bird rates from Wednesday 11 March.

The 30th anniversary edition of the Amsterdam Dance Event will take place 21–25 October 2026 in Amsterdam, with additional programming and anniversary events expected to be announced in the coming months.

Tickets & Further Information: Website | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Jean Michel Jarre: Web | Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok

(Additional details on Jarre’s ADE appearances and further anniversary programming will be revealed soon.)

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