ADE lists · Amsterdam · 21–25 Oct

Talks by topic · 8 picks · Wed to Sat · Pro pass

Where the industry is heading

Keynotes and the big picture.

For people who need the week's headline takeaways: the state of live, who should own music's future, and the trade bodies setting the agenda.

By Songpot desk · from the ADE programme, our venue guide and artist notes

Industry pass needed for most sessions.

Wednesday21 Oct

11:00

The State of the Live Industry: One Year On

Can independents survive the giants? A year later.

Sziget's CEO, Superstruct's COO, WME's Matt Smith, Gashouder's Mercedes Coco and Tinie Tempah, with Dave Clarke, revisit last year's question about consolidation in live music.

With Dave Clarke, Matt Smith, Mercedes Coco, Michael Discenza, Rebecca Kane Burton, Tamás Kádár

14:45

Who Should Own the Future of Music? Music as an Asset Class: Funding the Future by Buying the Past

Catalogue buyers explain what they're buying.

Firebird's Carlo Dinardo, Duetti's Charles O'Neill and Linnea Sundberg, with music lawyer Gregor Pryor, on music as an asset class. For artists thinking of selling their catalogue.

With Carlo Dinardo, Charles O'Neill, Gregor Pryor, Linnea Sundberg

16:15

The Future Shape of the Music Industry

Warner's strategy chief on where it's all going.

Warner Music Group's head of strategy Lisa Yang and Niels Walboomers, who runs Spinnin' Records and Warner Central Europe, on the industry's next shape.

With Lisa Yang, Niels Walboomers

17:00

AFEM AGM 2026

The electronic music trade body's annual meeting.

AFEM's AGM: where the members set next year's priorities. For AFEM members and anyone who wants to be one.

Thursday22 Oct

11:00

The State of Emergency: Music Leaders at the Forefront of Change

What music leaders do in unstable times.

Block9's Gideon Berger, Coldcut's Matt Black and IMPEL's Sarah Williams, chaired by In Place of War's Ruth Daniel. Big questions, asked by people who act on them.

With Gideon Berger, Matt Black, Ruth Daniel, Sarah Williams

17:15

'The Industry We Want to Build' with Troy Carter

If streaming volume works against artists, what do we build instead?

Troy Carter takes ADE's big question with Music Ally's Paul Brindley. The keynote to catch if you only catch one.

Friday23 Oct

12:30

State Of Things Keynote

The year in music and tech, in one keynote.

Music lawyer Cliff Fluet of Music Tech UK and Lewis Silkin on the state of things. Quick, opinionated and well informed.

With Cliff Fluet

Saturday24 Oct

15:45

No More Borders: The Global Future of Electronic Music

Electronic music's roots were always global.

Henry X, Afro house DJ VANCO, Melkweg programmer Lévi Smulders and promoter Melissa Penny on programming that reflects where the music comes from.

With Henry X, Lévi Smulders, Melissa Penny, VANCO

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Times, lineups and tickets are on each event's ADE programme page. Songpot is independent of the festival.