OUTCH…

From the outside, being a DJ collective often looks like a dream: flashing lights, a hyped crowd, energy flowing back and forth between the booth and the dancefloor. And yes, those moments are real. But what people do not always see is the other side, the nights that test us, that bruise our confidence, that remind us this path is not always glamorous.

We recently had one of those nights.

It started with high hopes. A chance to play in a respected venue, a platform that many would consider an honor to step onto. But from the moment we arrived, the energy felt off. Instead of excitement and support, there was pressure. We were told, before even starting, that if our music did not fit, that the resident DJ would take over. That is not exactly the mindset that lets you relax and get into the flow.

And the truth is, the expectations were not clearly communicated. Every venue has its own crowd, its own vibe, its own dos and donts. That is normal. But if you do not know those expectations beforehand, you walk in blind. That was the situation.

During our set, we were stopped multiple times. Too loud. Too quiet. Too calm. Too loungy. In the end, our set was cut short altogether.

We will not pretend that did not sting. It is not just about being interrupted, it is about the atmosphere it creates. When you feel judged and unwelcome, it is almost impossible to perform with confidence. Under that stress, even small mistakes suddenly feel bigger than they are. And instead of a joyful experience, it becomes a battle to just get through.

That is the part most people do not see. Behind every great night on stage, there are nights where things go sideways. Nights where our sound does not fit, or the communication is not there, or we simply do not get the space to show what we can do.

But here is the lesson: those nights matter too. They teach us to ask better questions before a booking. They remind us to clarify expectations, to understand the crowd, to know how much creative freedom we really have. They build resilience.

It’s not only about the highs. It is also about the lows, and about finding a way to keep going, even when the night does not go our way.