THE WOMEN OF ADE 2026
words by NIA TOPALOVA
As the Amsterdam Dance Event celebrates its 30th anniversary, the conversation around gender representation in electronic and techno music moves to a new generation of women fearlessly reshaping the power structures of the dance floor. ADE has explicitly stated its aim to achieve a 50/50 gender split within its independent programming, while encouraging external organisers to create more balanced line-ups. The goal is to ensure women have the space to develop their sound, build international careers and influence the direction of electronic and techno music.
image courtesy of CHARLOTTE DE WITTE
The dance floor will experience both well-known names, such as Charlotte de Witte, who will bring her dark acid-techno mood on October 23 at H7 Warehouse, as well as upcoming talent like Lisa Korver: same location, same day, performing together with Clara Cuvé.
image courtesy of LISA KORVER
The day before, Cinthie, Berlin-based DJ and producer, who has spent decades immersed in club culture, developing a sound that draws on the house traditions of Chicago, Detroit, New York and Berlin, will bring all of this to PIV x Shelter. Through her work as a producer, curator and label owner, Cinthie has helped sustain a culture in which musical knowledge and independent vision remain central.
image courtesy of CINTHIE
A former classical violinist, Klaudie, will play back-to-back with PIV co-founder Prunk at PIV x IJland on Friday, 23 October. Her background explains her sensitivity to rhythm, dynamics and musical progression, bringing sets that respond to the energy of the room, allowing the music to evolve naturally with the crowd.
image courtesy of KLAUDIE
Closing ADE on October 26, Anetha will be at NDSM from the 25th already, during DGTL at Intercell x Pegassi Invites. Beyond her sets, Anetha has used her platform to address persistent inequalities within the music scene. In a previous conversation with Numéro, she reflected on her decidion to speak publicly about sexism and the position of women in the industry.
“Some time ago, I took a stand on the issue of sexism and the role of women in the music industry on Instagram, and after receiving thanks from many DJs, I understood it was time to talk about it.”
While Anetha has often emphasised that such questions could potentially overshadow her achievements, she recognises, too, the extent to which gender bias keeps shaping women’s experiences in the industry.
image courtesy of ANETHA
As the scene continues to evolve, we should aim to create an environment in which women’s achievements are recognised in equal terms, and their presence behind the set is not a question.
Despite the global success of female artists, the music industry remains largely male-dominated, with women still being underrepresented. Achieving equal representation therefore would mean looking beyond who headlines a festival to who gets booked consistently, who is given the space to experiment and develop, with a sustained, collective effort from promoters, labels and the industry as a whole, so that the next generation of women can enter the scene with fewer barriers and better possibilities.
