Amsterdam Dance Event, billed as the biggest dance festival in the world, kicks of in the Dutch capital on Wednesday with a programme of more than 450 events at 140 locations across the city.

In total, some 400,000 people are expected to take part in the five day event in some form, officials say. ‘Everybody who works in the music world meets up during ADE,’ Dutch dj Sam Feldt told news website Nu.nl.

The festival also includes a conference and discussion platform covering every aspect of the music industry, so that delegates have the chance to network, exchange expertise and keep on top of all the latest developments in the electronic music field.

This year’s special focus is on 30 years of Dutch electronic music culture.

Research published on Wednesday by ING bank and radio station 538 shows that the richest djs in the world are earning an average of €571,000 a week.

The researchers looked at the five richest djs according to a ranking compiled by Forbes magazine. Some 80% of their income comes from live shows, the rest from recording rights.