DJ MAX Takes 30 Years Of Welcome To The Club To ADE 2026

DJ MAX is marking 30 years of Welcome To The Club with a free anniversary party at Van de Werf in Amsterdam on October 24, with six DJs spread across two floors during ADE. He tells us how a late-night Croatian radio show grew into a full-blown party brand, what he’s got planned for his set, and where it heads next, with Ibiza, New York and Miami all in the mix.

1. You’ve been part of the international electronic music scene for more than 30 years. How did you first get into House music, and what pulled you toward it?

As a kid, I listened to different musical genres: Rock & Roll, Funk, Soul… Every night when I went to bed, my tape recorder was on: sometimes playing Stevie Wonder, sometimes The Rolling Stones, sometimes Parliament, or Creedence Clearwater Revival, for example.

At the same time, my friends were listening to what was popular on the radio, let’s say, Pop music. I was never into it. I didn’t care about the charts. Looking back, I’m sure now that searching for the “groove,” even at that early stage, defined my path and my musical journey.

When I was 15, I was given the opportunity to lead my high school radio station, and that slightly different approach to music was well-received by listeners, even though the majority of them were my own age. At that time, I discovered House music, which was a totally new genre back then.

Later in my life, when I began working professionally as a DJ at clubs, I was already different from the majority of DJs of that time, and that skyrocketed my career. I was blending Disco, Funk, and House music, performing on three decks, and experimenting with Hip-Hop and Techno. Over time, House music remained my main genre, and it’s still my favourite.

2. Thirty years ago, you launched Welcome To The Club with a clear idea in mind. What was it?

Performing and holding residencies at major clubs gave me popularity, not only among clubbers but also within the music industry. At one point in time, back in 1996, the main editor of the national public radio in Croatia (HRT – HR2) invited me to create something new for them that would attract a younger audience.

My idea was to create a club atmosphere on the radio, and we agreed on a Saturday night show titled Welcome To The Club. The radio show was, and still is, based on new club music, predominantly House music.

That was a time before social networks, a different way of living, and the radio was really important. It was an instant success, and fast-forward to today, it’s one of the longest-lasting weekly electronic music radio shows on public radio anywhere in the world.

3. Winning the first “Ambassador” award for Best Radio Show was a big moment. What did it mean for you and the program?

It meant a lot. Being recognised by music professionals and awarded Best Radio Show in the country is a significant achievement. Ten years ago, when this award was established, being its first recipient meant even more because Welcome To The Club will always be remembered as the first.

For me, it is proof that I’m doing the right thing as an independent artist, as I am not an employee of the radio station.

4. At what point did Welcome To The Club grow from a radio show into a party brand?

Over the years, Welcome To The Club became a brand. Having a base on national public radio for all those years gave me the leverage to develop something more than a radio show.

As a performing DJ in clubs and at festivals, I am in close contact with different types of venues. Organising parties was a natural extension of the Welcome To The Club radio show.

Over the past two decades, I have organised Welcome To The Club parties in Croatia, Italy, and Ibiza (Spain), and for the last three years, as part of the ADE Festival in Amsterdam (The Netherlands).

5. Tell us everything about the 30th anniversary party at ADE 2026. Where, when, and why this venue?

The Welcome To The Club 30th Anniversary Party will be held on Saturday, October 24th, at Van de Werf, an iconic waterfront venue in Amsterdam-Noord (NDSM). Three years ago, when I realised that my radio show was approaching its 30th anniversary, I decided to start organising Welcome To The Club parties in order to familiarise the city of Amsterdam and ADE participants with my brand.

Before that, I was performing as a DJ and speaking on panels at the Amsterdam Dance Event. However, three years ago, there was an issue with the initial venue where the party was supposed to be organised.

This emerged just one month before ADE, and I had a huge problem. My friend Rod helped me switch venues, and that’s how we ended up at NEXT NDSM, as it was called at that time. They changed the name last year to Van de Werf. It was a Saturday night, the party was great, and the owner said to me, “Saturdays are yours.”

So, we are now at the same venue for the third consecutive year. The venue itself is very attractive. It’s a big waterfront space on two floors, and it is really popular among locals and tourists alike.

It’s a unique combination of a cocktail bar, a restaurant, and a club. In fact, it has a secret room inside: an underground, intimate club called TIXE, which is recognized as the smallest club in Amsterdam. It is a fascinating combination and a unique experience for the guests.

It’s modern, attractive, unique, and fits the story of Welcome To The Club perfectly.

6. Beyond the 30th anniversary, what makes this year’s event different from your past ADE showcases?

Like ADE itself, this party will be similar yet a little bit different from past events. The lineup is fresh, though the DJ rotation will be similar.

When it comes to programming, my motto is quality over quantity. I prefer organising a party with fewer DJs than what the majority of similar organisers think is necessary, especially at ADE.

When you look at other events, you usually see 10 or even 20+ DJs listed. That means the DJs are performing short sets, sometimes less than 30 minutes.

In general, that approach is not good for the atmosphere. DJs cannot express themselves properly, and the energy remains undeveloped or gets completely disrupted. My approach is different. I want my artists to enjoy themselves, express themselves properly, and share their positive energy with the audience.

So, I’m giving them time, and what is truly unique is that I am giving them the opportunity to perform on two floors in totally different environments during the same party. That DJ rotation between spaces is a unique experience, and they love it. So, this year we have a total of six artists performing on two floors.

7. You’re bringing DJ Izee, Isa Carrillo, Soleil Carrillo, BLACKICON1, and Georgie Porgi along with you. How did you put this lineup together?

Much like choosing tracks for my radio show, my approach is a little bit different. When choosing music, I am always looking for the groove rather than getting hung up on names.

For the lineup, I’m looking for talent, dedication, passion, and a genuine love for the music. At the same time, I want reliable professionals and good people in general.

Over the years, I have promoted tons of artists. A plethora of them became international stars. However, some of them were swallowed by their own egos, regardless of their talent. So, for this special 30th anniversary, I decided to go with some artists I have worked with before while adding some new talent. Blending young, emerging artists with seasoned professionals.

On one hand, you have Isa Carrillo, our youngest artist, coming from Madrid, Spain, who is a really talented female DJ. On the other hand, you have Georgie Porgie, a House music icon from Chicago, Illinois.

DJ Izee, a fantastic Dutch DJ, will come from Bonaire, and he is with us for the third consecutive year. DJ BlackIcon1, an experienced artist and radio host from New York City, performed an unofficial B2B set with me last year for the first time, and this year he is officially with us as well.

Soleil Carrillo is coming off two fantastic seasons in Canada… As I said, by scouting, thinking out of the box, and relying on my own experience, the lineup came together beautifully and is fantastically balanced.

8. What can fans expect from your own DJ MAX set at the anniversary party?

Music is my tool for spreading positive energy. It is always difficult to say something about yourself. I always prefer to let others do the talking.

I am enjoying what I am doing, and I think the crowd notices that. I might surprise them; they might surprise me… we will see! I have always experienced positive reactions wherever I have performed.

Sometimes they are a little bit unexpected, like when I was performing at the Ultra Europe festival, and girls were throwing their bras at me… anything can happen (smiling). Funny stories aside, it will be fun, featuring a lot of new House music and some club classics now and then. After all, it is the 30th anniversary.

9. When the night ends at 02:00, what do you want people to walk out feeling? What would you say to someone who is still deciding whether to grab a ticket?

I want them to walk out feeling happy. We are celebrating our anniversary, and the entrance is free. Come join us and enjoy the night with us! Just keep in mind that last year, we had 500 people inside and a queue of around 200 people outside, so it’s definitely better to come early.

10. What comes next for Welcome To The Club after ADE?

At the same time we are throwing the party in Amsterdam, the jubilee 1400th episode will be aired on the radio. So, we are continuing with the radio shows.

As for the parties… well, before the pandemic, back in 2019, I established a series of nine consecutive parties in Ibiza, and I’m thinking about returning to the island. At the same time, I am in talks about bringing Welcome To The Club to the USA, something in NYC, something in Miami… we will see.

And next October, the ADE Festival, of course!

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