Producer and DJ Wilza has been steadily making waves across Electronic Music, blending genres and pushing creative boundaries through both his productions and performances. After attending ADE for the first time, he has returned with fresh inspiration and new connections, opening up his journey to more opportunities to expand his sound and reach new audiences.
Here, in this exclusive interview, Wilza shares insights from his ADE experience, discussing the highlights, unexpected moments, and valuable connections that will no doubt shape his musical journey moving forward and impact his creative evolution.
Hi, how’s it going?
All is good, thank you! Finally settling back into my routine on the other side of ADE. It took a while, as the experience left a strong impression that was hard to shake.
To start, can you tell us about your experience at ADE this year?
This was my first time at ADE. I was fortunate enough to get a guest Pro Pass, which really opened up the full ADE experience in ways I couldn’t have imagined beforehand. I consider myself organised, so I went through the entire ADE programme—festivals, conferences, and ADE Lab—beforehand and created a list of where I wanted to be, what was happening, and when. I probably ended up covering only about 25% of what I planned, simply because there was so much happening at every hour of every day and night. I was told half a million people attended ADE this year, and I hadn’t truly grasped the scale of the event until I experienced it firsthand.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience—so much so that I’ve already booked my hotel for next year. In hindsight, I’d probably do a few things differently with the knowledge I have now, but I achieved so much in five days. Next year, I’ll go in wiser thanks to this experience.
Was there a specific talk, performance, or workshop that really stood out for you?
The Biianco talk with DJ Mag was fantastic. The discussion delved into their background, detailing how they went from minimal social media exposure to suddenly going viral and capitalising on that success. They shared insights on their live performance setup and walked us through the instruments and software they use, explaining how everything flows together in their hybrid live/DJ sets. Biianco then demonstrated their live set on stage, which blew the crowd away. It was truly inspiring and motivational. Mick Wilson from DJ Mag hosted the talk and did an excellent job, letting Biianco take the spotlight rather than trying to be the star of the show—a contrast to some other hosts I saw at ADE.
In your opinion, what makes ADE an unmissable event in the Electronic Music calendar?
There are various reasons. The sheer number of people and the scope of the event are mind-boggling. The options for events, conferences, and labs are literally jaw-dropping. The networking opportunities are endless, from workshops and networking parties to simply chatting with someone in the coffee queue. You’ll come away from ADE with new friends, industry contacts, and Instagram followers who share your passions. It’s also an incredible chance to experience almost any genre or sub-genre of Electronic Music in one place. I used this week to explore scenes I hadn’t experienced before, fitting in three to five different parties a night just to soak up all the different energy and vibes ADE has to offer. ADE Lab was another highlight. For anyone into production or DJing, it’s like being a kid in a candy shop. From testing the latest gear and grabbing software giveaways to attending in-depth talks and pitching demos to industry leaders, there was so much on offer. It felt like a warm hub of creativity, whereas the conference side was more corporate, as it should be.
Did you discover any emerging trends or ideas during ADE that surprised or inspired you?
I was genuinely surprised to see so many events dedicated to Gabber. I know it’s a native Amsterdam sound, but I thought it had faded over the years. It seems to be making a comeback, or maybe it’s just that ADE, being in the home of Gabber, still attracts a hardcore local following.
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable moment of ADE for you?
I had many memorable moments, including seeing Shermanology and Awen and witnessing Adriatique at Gashouder, which was out of this world. The light show when they started was probably the best I saw at ADE. Seeing Martin Garrix at the DJ Mag Top 100 party at the Ajax stadium was also a highlight. But perhaps my most memorable experience was sitting down with various A&Rs from major and large indie labels to get feedback on my unreleased music. This happened during an A&R mixer organised by ADE, and it was incredibly valuable.
Were there any non-music-related activities in Amsterdam that added to your ADE experience?
Apart from the amazing food and some fascinating 5 a.m. conversations with Uber drivers, I didn’t really engage in much non-music-related activity. With so much to cram into a short time (Tuesday to Sunday), I was focused on making the most of every minute musically.
How would you describe the overall vibe of ADE 2024?
For me, the vibe was warm, friendly, energetic, and motivational, though it was also overwhelming at times, especially for a first-timer. It took a couple of days to get my head around the size and scope of what was on offer, but once I did, I was able to tackle the event head-on. Balancing daytime conferences, workshops, and meetings with the nightlife was a challenge, but worth it. ADE truly offers a complete exploration of Electronic Music, from business and creativity to the raver’s experience. I’m grateful I got to experience it fully and can’t wait to do it again next year.
Did you meet anyone new at ADE that you’re excited to work with in the future?
I had a surreal experience. Over lunch, a friend told me about a South African producer/DJ he’d met recently. I followed the producer on Instagram, planning to check him out later. Then, back at my hotel, I jumped into the lift, and two guys got in—one of whom looked just like the producer I’d just followed. Hearing them speak in South African accents, I had to ask, and sure enough, it was him! We both recognised each other from Instagram but hadn’t expected to meet in person. My friend didn’t even know the producer was at ADE, so it blew his mind too. The producer, Rudy Julius (@rudyjulius_), and I took it as fate bringing us together, and we’ve started planning some collaborations. My alter-ego, Will B, focuses on Afro House, so we’ll be cooking something up soon.
To end, what was your main goal in attending ADE, and do you feel you achieved it?
My main goal at ADE was to network with A&Rs and pitch my music to labels that could help push my work further. Networking and building industry relationships were also high priorities. Both goals were achieved—I received multiple offers from labels and distributors and made some excellent connections with industry professionals. Overall, it was well worth the trip and the effort. As I mentioned at the start, I’m already looking forward to going again next year.
With new insights and connections gained from his time at ADE, Wilza appears poised to expand and develop further as an Artist, emerging energised and ready to take his journey to the next level. Armed with fresh inspiration, Wilza seems set to continue evolving his sound, engaging audiences, and developing his production approach, so be sure to keep an eye on his next moves by following his journey across social media today.
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