Including EarthSonic, ZERØBPM, a Kevin Saunderson listening session, and the presentation of BEAT GEMS.
Photo credit: Roland – Website
Roland has outlined a series of activities surrounding Amsterdam Dance Event, scheduled for October 21st–25th, 2026, bringing together electronic music performances, instrument demonstrations, listening experiences, and discussions about drum machine history.
The program includes collaborations with EarthSonic, ZERØBPM, Rush Hour, and Bjooks, exploring the relationship between electronic instruments, contemporary music, and the cultural legacy of Detroit techno.
On October 22nd, Roland will open the EarthSonic program at Nxt Museum with an Electronic Synthesizers Petting Zoo using field recordings collected through the global project developed by In Place of War.
The evening will also feature a live performance by Natural Symphony using the Roland TR-1000 and JUPITER-08, followed by an audiovisual set from Paranoid London. Additional participants include Orbital, Coldcut, Quinn Whalley, Ben Sheppee, Joey Dean, and Bobolian.
From October 23rd–25th, Roland will participate in ZERØBPM’s 39.5-hour program at De Thomas church with Silence Through Sound, an experience centered on deep listening, experimental music, and meditation.
Visitors will explore three N/VISION stations—Listen, Touch, and Create—before entering a studio environment equipped with electronic instruments. Nadia Struiwigh is scheduled to perform live using the equipment on October 25th, from 1:30 PM to 3 PM.
Also on October 25th, Detroit techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson will lead Brunch Boogie at Rush Hour, from noon to 2 PM.
The gathering will include a listening session dedicated to KMS Records, connecting Saunderson’s catalogue with the history of Roland instruments in Detroit electronic music. The TR-1000 will also feature in the presentation.
Elsewhere, Roland will join Bjooks at ADE Lab from October 21st–23rd for the public presentation of ‘BEAT GEMS: Drum Machines in Modern Music’.
Written by electronic instrument historian Oli Freke, the 336-page book explores drum machines in modern music and features a foreword by Jeff Mills, with the Roland TR-909 appearing on its cover.
Bjooks founder Kim Bjørn will attend the exhibition throughout the three days, while Freke is scheduled to present a talk titled ‘How Drum Machines Changed Modern Music’ on October 21st at 2:30 PM.
The activities form part of Roland’s broader presence at ADE, connecting instrument development with electronic music performance, education, and cultural history.
Explore the full Amsterdam Dance Event program here.
