ADE Green brings artists, organisers, activists and industry experts together to figure out how the events industry can do better. Sustainability is a big part of that. But so are mental health, social safety and the role music and culture can play in creating change.
I worked with the team for several years, writing stories for ADE’s international platform while helping brainstorm, shape and sharpen the conference programme. That meant researching subjects, developing ideas, finding the right angle and turning sometimes fairly complex sustainability topics into stories people might actually want to read.
My articles ranged from the circular future of festivals and the problem with single-use plastics to an unexpectedly deep dive into Dutch tap water.
In 2023, I also helped curate the programme itself. I researched and developed a panel on mental health in the music industry. I brought together DJ Laidback Luke, psychologist Anne Löhr and moderator Renske van Kollenburg to talk frankly about the pressures behind a life in music and what can be done about them.
The room was packed. Afterwards, 3FM devoted a feature to the conversation and Luke’s experiences with burnout, addiction, workaholism and finding healthier ways to deal with the demands of the industry.
Photo by 3FM.
Sometimes creating content means writing the story. Sometimes it means getting the right people in a room and giving them something worth talking about.
Selected writing
The model for circular and climate neutral festivals
Turning a fairly comprehensive industry model into an accessible story about how festivals can become testing grounds for a circular economy.
https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/news/ade-green-gdcf-model/2324683/
Going full circle on the use of plastics
On why the temporary nature of festivals makes them particularly good places to rethink our very permanent plastic problem.
https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/news/ade-green-full-circle-plastics/1843993/
Tap into Dutch tap water
A story for Dopper about bottled water, Amsterdam’s dunes, public taps and why bringing your own bottle to a festival is more interesting than it sounds.
https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/news/ade-green-tap-water/2171455/
