Armada Music Celebrates ADE 2019 with Armada Invites, ASOT & More

While dance music enthusiasts and industry folks alike flock to Amersterdam each Fall for its annual Amsterdam Dance Event, there are thousands of artists, venues, and events to choose from throughout the week to make ADE something truly special. Amidst all the bustle and happenings, we found ourselves returning to Dutch-based dance music label Armada Music day after day for their string of beautifully curated ADE 2019 events. 

Joining thousands of fellow dance music cohorts with music and artists themselves, Armada plays home during ADE to several well-known and highly-respected celebrations including Armada Invites, A State Of Trance (ASOT), and Armada University. To kick things off there was also the return of brunch, which fell on Thursday and featured a plethora of delicious sandwiches, juices, snacks, and sweeping outdoor views all while Armada University ran beside it. There was even a pyramid-like stack of Sultan + Shepard chocolate bars complete with their faces and a bar code to listen to their newest tunes – suffice to say there was plenty of thought that went into this day, and of course each one to follow. 

The afternoon continued on to Armada HQ itself for the Thursday ADE Marathon run of ASOT. Those familiar with ASOT can imagine how special this experience is when the entire broadcast features a party hosted by Armada, Armin and Ruben themselves, right there in the bright white studio. Jam-packed (and a little toasty), there were hundreds of people milling around the studio and surrounding hallways, catching up with each other, meeting new friends, making business dealings, and most of all enjoying each other’s company, listening to music. Thursday’s ASOT marathon featured performances by Markus Schulz, Alpha 9, Ashley Wallbridge, Ben Gold, BT, Andrew Rayel, Ferry Corsten, Ilan Bluestone, Elevven and more. Sets also took over Club Armada, conveniently located down the hallway, which was busting at the seams with life, energy, and sound.

Friday and Saturday continued on with editions of Armada Invites, Friday as a House/ Melodic Techno edition, and Saturday with a best-of dance, star-studded edition. Friday turned into a groove paradise from household names such as Joe Smooth, Mambo Brothers, Maxim Lany, Mistajam and Phil Fuldner, while the latter featured hotshots such as ARTY, Bob Sinclair, Dave Winnel, Sultan + Shepard, Zonderling, and more. Wildly unique duo Goldfish made a surprise appearance at Club Armada on Saturday, carrying in numerous instruments and packing smiles and good vibes across the entire neon-lit space. The energy flowing throughout the club during each of these days is just something very special, and something very memorable. When you are in this kind of atmosphere – one that takes control of all your senses and allows you to forget about everything besides that moment, it is a time you will always remember. 

Everyone on the Armada team, all the participating artists and their teams, and everyone else who had a hand in Armada’s ADE 2019 went above and beyond in our eyes, easily making this a top highlight of The Nocturnal Times’ week in Amsterdam. We want to say thank you again to all those involved, and all the friends we saw in person, and look forward to another successful Armada ADE next year!

For more on music, videos, and live sets from Armada and their full week at this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event, visit here. 

Featured photos via Armada Music Facebook page.