Niches · 10 picks · Wed to Sun
Good things that cost nothing.
Free events worth leaving the house for: in-stores, gallery shows, day parties and a few real nights. Some still need an RSVP, so check before you go.
By Songpot desk · from the ADE programme, our venue guide and artist notes
Some free events need an RSVP or registration: check the official page.
The man who wrote 'The House Music Anthem', for free.
Marshall Jefferson's 'Move Your Body' came out in 1986 subtitled 'The House Music Anthem', and nobody has argued with the title since. Joe Smooth of 'Promised Land' and Mike Anderson join him: piano-forward, gospel-lifted Chicago house from the founding generation, for ADE's 30th, and it costs nothing.
For fans of Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard
A brand's free techno night.
Rabanne's 1 Million Black Tour stops at WestWeelde by the Gashouder with Oguz's hard, driving techno. Free, big and branded; you'll know if that's for you.
For fans of Nico Moreno
Jeff Mills answers Rembrandt, in the museum where he made it.
Few people shaped techno the way Jeff Mills did: the Underground Resistance years in Detroit, Axis Records since 1992, and a career spent treating techno as science fiction. Here it's a 50-minute film he made inside the Rijksmuseum in answer to The Night Watch, with his music, dance and visual art, shown in public for the first time. Free, museum entry included; sign-up closed at midnight on 11 October.
For fans of Robert Hood, Derrick May
House in a karaoke bar, for free.
Belgian DJ Dennis Cartier's What Da House label takes over a private karaoke venue for a free early-evening session: Eran Hersh's tribal, Middle Eastern-inflected house, Tim Hox's rolling grooves and Neon's tight, crowd-reading club mixing.
For fans of Keinemusik
A free afternoon of sunny house by the IJ.
Mi Amor Familia's daytime showcase at Comedy Café on IJdok: Kenn Colt's tech and Latin house, Andrea Satta's tribal grooves and Bono Badja's percussive Afro house. Networking with a dancefloor attached.
For fans of Vintage Culture, Cloonee
House under the Beurs van Berlage.
Toolroom regular James Hurr's peak-time house, Istanbul's NODUS and Amsterdam's Dirk Schot with disco-filtered grooves, in a Japanese restaurant and late bar beneath the old stock exchange. Free.
For fans of Mark Knight, Green Velvet
Saturday at the techno record shop.
Dexon, Inez Akker and A.R.T. dig with visitors at InDeep'n'Dance: raw, looping techno, acid and breaks, and old-school hypnotic grooves. Free, and the records are for sale.
For fans of DVS1, I Hate Models
Minimal house veterans, for free, in the Houthavens.
Poker Flat founder Steve Bug's low-slung, dry four-four, Cinthie's warm, vinyl-led house and Mathias Kaden's fast 'power house' mixing. A free night that plays like a paid one.
For fans of Ricardo Villalobos, Kerri Chandler
A free Sunday session of bright melodic house.
Salt Lake City's Silent Reign and friends play rolling melodic house at Baggerbeest, a retro-styled bar and club in a newer district. Easy, sunny, free.
For fans of Gorgon City, Kaskade
Soul Clap play records in a Zeedijk bar.
The Boston duo build house from old records and edits, with Max Sinàl's soulful house and FSQ's six-piece funk and disco. A free Sunday afternoon in a tiny aperitivo bar.
For fans of Masters At Work, Derrick Carter
Times, lineups and tickets are on each event's ADE programme page. Songpot is independent of the festival.