During ADE, Amsterdam’s biggest and most renowned electronic music festival, Audio Obscura set out to highlight an impressive lineup of acclaimed artists. From epic showcases at the city’s main train station to the infamous parties at The Loft, they managed to pull off an impressive streak of events. I decided to take a peek at their special Adriatique presents X event at the legendary Muziekgebouw, an event which absolutely did not disappoint.

Counting four stages under one roof which were set on different levels throughout the building, part of the excitement was definitely to roam from one room to the next to discover what was lurking behind each door. Every room set a different mood, turning a corner would unveil a new exciting music avenue which was executed with a perfect synergy between music and production.
Normally an avid festival goer on the South East Asian music scene, I could not think of anything that compared to this impressive building. The sheer magnitude of the venue and the attention to detail that went into creating something unique for each room was truly invigorating and completely captivating.

Though one of the true highlights of the occasion was definitely Adriatique’s set, they performed all night long to the sheer delight of music revellers. This was the duo’s only performance during the entire festival which made their performance all the more thrilling. The room was packed, people were there for hours soaking in their music, an absolutely unbeatable atmosphere.
Located in the venue’s theatre which is an outstanding space all on its own, but that evening it was brought to life with a striking light show projected onto the room’s tall walls. This made the ambiance all the more dramatic and enticing, the room felt larger than reality, a truly mesmerising evening. Once in that area, it was hard to leave, definitely some of the finest moments of music I have ever experienced.

The event took place on what happened to be my last evening at ADE, I can honestly say I could not have asked for a better send-off. It was simply unforgettable, a worthwhile experience for any trip to ADE. I will be keeping an eye out for more of their events, I am not finished with exploring what Audio Obscura have to offer…