Verknipt Confirms Hard Techno as the Anthem for a New Generation of Dance Music Enthusiasts
The organizers of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) claimed a record attendance of 500,000 participants for the 2024 edition. However, seasoned festival-goers noted that many of the over 1,000 events had noticeably smaller crowds compared to previous years. This was certainly not the case for the two events held by the Dutch hard techno collective Verknipt.
On October 18, thousands flocked to the Taets Art and Event Park in Zaandam for a rave featuring hard techno artists like Indira Paganotto, Shlømo, Ketting, and blk. Then, on October 20, AFAS Live in central Amsterdam showcased DJ performances by Nico Moreno, KARAH, and Pawlowski. Both events sold out ahead of time, attracting a total of 13,000 attendees, according to a press release.
Attendees experienced a unique fusion of hard dance and techno, a genre that has rapidly gained popularity among a new generation of EDM fans. This genre combines the complex sound design of traditional techno, which emerged over three decades ago, with the dynamic shifts characteristic of modern hard dance music.
The soundscape in the venue featured powerful kick drums interspersed with harsh, industrial textures resonating from line array speakers. Unlike earlier techno, which relied on sustained, hypnotic rhythms, the new wave of producers opts for shorter bursts, introducing prominent synth stabs and cinematic vocal samples reminiscent of hardstyle. This approach caters to a fan base that often discovers music through fast-paced TikTok clips.
The success of Verknipt’s events is evident, yet they only attracted a fraction of the crowd for their most notable event to date. The Verknipt ArenA drew an impressive 40,000 attendees to the Johan Cruijff ArenA for a record-setting show featuring hard techno star Sara Landry.
More significant than the attendance figures are the demographics of the audience. A substantial portion of attendees at the ADE events fell within the coveted 18-24 age demographic, a desirable target for any event organizer.
At first glance, the crowd appeared to be comprised of typical young people rather than members of a niche subculture. Aside from the occasional shirtless young man, few attendees wore the kink-inspired outfits often seen in clubs like Berlin’s Berghain, and the muted attire typical of the “serious techno” scene was also scarce. Overall, it seemed that hard techno raves had become a mainstream pastime for everyday young people in Amsterdam.
The Netherlands has a rich history of pushing underground dance music into innovative territories. In his 1999 book Techno Rebels: The Renegades of Electronic Funk, Dan Sicko recounts how Detroit techno pioneer Richie Hawtin was taken aback by the “rigid” high-BPM techno sounds played by DJs at Rotterdam’s Parkzicht during his 1992 visit.
Conversely, Dutch artists have been extraordinarily successful in commercializing dance music, more so than many other markets. Amsterdam opened the first modern stock exchange in 1602, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit embedded in Dutch culture. Given that the country has produced renowned DJs like Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, and Hardwell, it is unsurprising that the Netherlands has effectively repackaged and marketed techno music.
This year’s ADE featured numerous highlights, including the visually stunning Dockyard Festival and its promising offshoot, Dockyard Warehouse Festival. Awakenings presented a lineup of top-tier techno talent at Gashouder and Ziggo Dome, while the Vision x Kompass Music Group boat party attracted a large crowd of drum and bass enthusiasts.
Ultimately, ADE serves as a vital indicator of trends within the dance music industry. After this year’s event, it is clear that Verknipt and the hard techno genre have a bright and promising future ahead.
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