Pieter van Adrichem - PR Amsterdam Dance Event:

“This year, we've been able to put on over 200 shows and artists. The best thing about that is that we had the chance to put a lot of very unexpected artists on, including special showcases by the French and Finnish Music Export Offices and a special Berlin show with Sascha Funke, Massimo d'Electro and others. With performances by T. Raumschmiere (d), Vive la Fete (b), Armin van Buuren (nl) and Men In Blue (nl) still ringing in my ears, I think we've shown that there is a lot of European talent around in the dance scene.”

Peter Elliot – Primary Talent:

Elliot: The ADE 2003 had a very buzzy atmosphere. It has the balance of fun and business about right. Lots going on, lots being discussed.

Vip News: What about the current state of the live dance music business?

Elliot: Live dance music is going threw a state of flux. A lot of bad promoters and dull artists will fall by the way side, and unfortunately so will some good people. However I am very optimistic that most of the 'good guys' will survive, and new blood will come in, creating a stronger more creative business.

Gary Smith – Journalist and Moderator

Smith: Much busier than people expected. For many people it is a cost effective way of doing business and also a lot of people say it is a very serious minded event. People really come here to work. Over the years the event has developed a reputation for staging, quality and genuinely useful and instructive panels.

Vip News: How do you see the dance music business at present?

Smith: In an interesting state, there have been many predictions about dance to the effect that the whole dance scene is in terminal decline. But the truth is that the corporate mainstream side of dance music has definitely diminished in terms of chart presence while at the same time the underground scene is thriving and healthy and I think the attendance at ADE ADE proves that.

Vip News: What about the Live program at ADE?

Smith: Varied. It is nice to see more acts playing live. It is definitely something that has been reflected in the live program of ADE 2003.

Vip News: What about trends in dance music?

Smith: There is a significant renaissance in the harder end of techno and more attention to live performance. Alongside of that you have the eclectic and refreshing electro clash thing, which is more inclusive than any previous form of dance music.

Corinne Micaelli – Bureau Export De La Musique Francaise

Vip News: What impressions do you get from your attendance at ADE?

Micaelli: I think it is a great place to meet industry professionals and to discover interesting live acts. It is very concentrated and everybody is at work. The ADE has a very good atmosphere and I am very impressed by the organisation, for example the organisation of hospitality and professional meetings. The panels were also very interesting, a combination of serious matters with touches of humour.

Vip News: What about the relevance of dance music for your organisation?

Micaelli: Bureau Export stared mostly with electronic music and this used to be considered as having the French touch. With artists like Laurent Garnier, Daft Punk and Air these acts helped a lot to increase some interest for French music abroad.

Vip News: How was the French showcase?

Micaelli: There was a really good response from the public even though the show was not sold out. The artists we had playing were not big names except for DJ Tonio. The venue Desmet is excellent for this kind of showcases and we are looking forward to the next ADE.

Vip News: How is it with the current French dance business?

Micaelli: There are so many independent labels in electronic music, which offer such a diverse kind of music. It is very productive and working very well in foreign countries. Some of the labels are even doing better abroad than on the domestic market. But the crisis is to be acknowledged even when the more specialised labels are not so hurt badly by the crisis as the major companies.

Many responses and communications are being received in the wake of ADE & LDMC, but the most istant reaction by email was sent on Sunday at 01:00 am by the French promotion agency Redka thanking all the people they had met and apologizing to all the people they had not been able to meet.