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Performance Anxiety is Normal in DJing

Anxiety is everywhere in DJing. Yet, by nature, we are all performers, so the anxiety we feel in ourselves is often invisible when watching others play. This leads us to compare ourselves unfairly, making our own anxiety even worse.

I’ve always found clubs a little intimidating—until you’re fully immersed. The heavy bass, the impending chaos as you line up. That nervousness when playing at a new location. I see experienced DJs get nervous when they come to play at my Open Decks afternoon.

Or this week, when I went to a crazy but fun session at Pirate Studios, it was so energetic, but I felt ‘on the outside’ until I met someone to talk to and blended into the action. I also get nervous when visualising a big gig.

The truth is performance anxiety is normal, and you’d be a robot if you didn’t have those feelings.

The Science Behind Performance Anxiety

There’s a scientific basis for this—often referred to as the ‘U-Bend’ in performance. A healthy level of nervousness can actually improve your performance. Too little, and you might lack energy. Too much, and it can become overwhelming. The key is to find that sweet spot where nerves sharpen your focus without derailing you.

Even the Best Get Nervous

Even legendary performers experience stage fright.

• Henry Fonda, well into his 70s, still threw up before every performance.
• Somerset Maugham, one of the greatest writers of his time, admitted, “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” His discipline helped him overcome doubt.
• Beth Gibbons from Portishead, known for her hauntingly beautiful performances, has openly spoken about her extreme stage fright. She often performs with her eyes closed to manage the overwhelming sensation of being in front of a crowd.

If artists of this calibre still get anxious, why should DJs expect to be any different?

How Other DJs Handle Anxiety

Performance anxiety is a common topic among DJs. The Pioneer DJ blog offers helpful strategies, including breathing techniques and focusing on the crowd’s enjoyment rather than self-perception.

Additionally, many DJs openly discuss their struggles and coping strategies:

1. James Hype – Known for his high-energy performances, he has shared that pre-show nerves can be overwhelming, but he combats them with preparation and breathing exercises.
2. Hannah Wants – A top-tier house DJ, she emphasises physical fitness and mindfulness to stay grounded before gigs.
3. Carl Cox – A veteran of the scene, he has spoken about learning to channel nervous energy into excitement, transforming tension into an electrifying performance.

By adopting techniques from experienced performers, newer DJs can better navigate their own stage anxiety.

How to Manage Performance Anxiety

Here are a few things that can help:

Here are a few things that can help:

1. Stop Making It About Yourself When visualszing nervous scenarios, you’re likely thinking about how you feel and how you look. But a night out is about the entire experience—the crowd, the music, the venue. You are just one small part of a much bigger ecosystem.
2. Don’t Compare Your Backstage with Their Front Stage I love this saying because it reminds me that I tend to know everything that’s ‘wrong’ with my own DJing but assume everything other performers project is perfect. This simply isn’t true.
3. Do a Recon If you’re playing a big gig, visit the venue a few times beforehand. Check out the equipment, get familiar with the space, and, if possible, speak to someone who has played there before.
4. Negative Visualization Instead of trying to trick yourself into positive viusalisation, spend time visulaising the worst. This is what samurai warriors did before battle. They found peace before stepping onto the battlefield by imagining and accepting the worst possible outcome.
5. Build Your Close Network Group Surround yourself with friends and peers who support you, not judge you.Aa close-knit group of people who encourage you and understand what you’re going through can make all the difference in managing performance anxiety.

Quick Action List

1. Read “The War of Art” – This book will help you eradicate the feeling of resistance. Link
2. Practice Negative Visualisation – Come at peace with the worst-case scenario.
3. CTFAR from The Life Coach School – This model helps shift your mindset. Developed by The Life Coach School, it is a powerful tool for understanding how thoughts influence emotions, actions, and, ultimately, results. It stands for:

• Circumstance: The gig is happening.
• Thought: “I might mess up.”
• Feeling: Anxiety.
• Action: Overthinking and hesitation.
• Result: A performance that doesn’t flow naturally. Instead, reframe it: “I might mess up, and that’s okay—everyone is here for a good time.”

You Do You!

You will always feel nervous before, and relief afterwards. But remember—people are there to have fun, not to judge your every move.

It’s not brain surgery; it’s playing music. Play, enjoy, and let the energy flow.