Mixmag Asia & EMC to hold discussion on global club culture at ADE 2024

This year’s Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) promises to spark critical conversations about the future of club culture.

Running from October 16-20, ADE hosts over 3,000 acts across 1,000 events in more than 200 venues.

As part of its rich programming, Echoes of the Underground at Sexyland brings together leading cultural voices for a deep dive into global club culture’s growth, challenges, and opportunities. Echoes of the Underground is presented by VibeLab in partnership with Podiumkunst.net and EMC.

On October 18, Mixmag Asia and EMC will host the session titled Stewardship in the Global Club Culture Expansion: Navigating Growth, Legacy, and Local Identity as part of the Echoes of the Underground programme.

A vital discussion on balancing the rapid expansion of electronic music markets in regions like APAC and MENA with the preservation of authentic local scenes, this panel will gather a line-up of speakers, each bringing their expertise and insight to this critical conversation.

Dane Gorrell, owner and music director of Sydney’s Club 77, will provide insights into how local clubs can maintain cultural relevance and create enduring legacy.

Jack Colquhoun, managing editor of Mixmag ANZ, will offer a media perspective on how electronic music scenes evolve and the role of storytelling in preserving local identities.

Kamma & Masalo, founders of Brighter Days, bring their expertise as event curators balancing local and global influences, ensuring local grassroots culture thrives alongside international appeal.

Mixmag Asia’s Li Meng de Bakker aka Mengzy will contribute insights from her thesis titled A Social History of Nightlife and Dance in 20th Century Hong Kong, offering a scholarly take on the intersection of local scenes and global trends.

Additionally, Shelley Liu, Artist Manager at Foreign Echo and Touring and Booking Agent at Mushroom Group will speak to the importance of community engagement when building an artist or event brand and entering new and growing markets.

Also on the line-up of speakers is Zach Kim, founder of Singapore’s Blackout Agency—a key player in supporting underground movements in Asia while navigating larger commercial forces.

The session will be facilitated by Shivani Sharma, Community Engagement Manager at EMC.

After a day of thought-provoking panels and discussions, the night culminates in a House of Efunk Amsterdam afterparty at 10pm, hosted by Soul Clap and VibeLab.

Expect finely curated music across three intimate dancefloors featuring Black Rave Culture, Dam Swindle, DJ Holographic, Ruby Savage, Sana, Soul Clap, T. Williams and Tom Trago.

Register for Echoes of the Underground here; House of Efunk tickets (sold separately) available here.

Cut through the noise—sign up for our weekly Scene Report or follow us on Instagram to get the latest from Asia and the Asian diaspora!