How to DJ like a Party Scientist
DJing is being re-invented. Learn how to not get left behind.
Read this article to learn how to leverage music to create unprecedented nourishing experiences with large groups.
Most DJs. They focus on technicals. They think about BPM, transitions, and tracklists.
Does the audience care?
If you ask them, they will say yes. But, psychologically, they don’t. Psychologically, the audience cares about togetherness.
The audience cares about feeling connected to the DJ and to each other. And DJs have no idea how to evoke this feeling.
This is the great incongruity — DJs focus on what they think the audience thinks they want. But the truth is that the audience craves belonging and social acceptance. The technicals of music are not the best approach to fulfilling this want.
This is why I am calling for DJs to evolve to the next phase of party culture with me. A party culture that focuses on belonging and uniting experiences.
This is the age of the party scientist.
A party scientist focuses on connection, not technicals. A party scientist speaks to the audience and cultivates a sense of WE. A party scientist forgets about looking cool, thereby enabling every audience member to let go of their self-consciousness. A party scientist is radically different than a DJ. And radically better at producing an exhilarated sense of unity.
DJs play music, party scientists use music to ignite play.
Amidst the loneliness epidemic, the world needs DJs to evolve to party scientists. The rewards are there.
How to evolve from a DJ to a party scientist?
In my adventures throwing parties in 12 different countries, I have learnt a lot about facilitating potent experiences. These are 5 steps I recommend every DJ take to nourish their audience, not just musically but spiritually.
- Introduce yourself and your intention — Speak from your heart about the experience you want to create for everyone. Be vulnerable. Don’t try to look cool. Make sure the audience knows that you need them to make it happen.
- Radically express yourself — Audience members are looking at you for cues as to what is acceptable. If you jump and shake your head, they will too. If you take off your shirt and throw it, they will be more open too. If you cheer and yell, they will too. Use the microphone to make your expression public. Simple phrases like “I love this moment!” work wonders.
- Invite your audience to look at each other — Eye contact is the emotional highway. Simple episodes of nonverbal connection can do wonders to create togetherness. Use the microphone to get people to look away from the stage and smile at a few people.
- Play singalongs — Singing is an evolutionary social-bonding process. When humans sing together, endorphins are released in the human brain. Use the microphone to lead the singing. Make sure you sound bad so that others are not self-conscious.
- Break the divide — Most DJs are separate from their audience. Break this separation. Invite people on stage or go join the crowd. When you get off your pedestal or invite other people onto your pedestal, you make everyone feel welcome.
Example: Do what Steve Aoki does.
My thesis is this.
If you want to have a larger emotional and physiological impact on your audience, apply the science of social-bonding. Be a party scientist when no one else even knows what this means.
And remember: Your audience thinks they want one thing, but really craves something entirely different.
The audience craves being celebrated by their fellow fallible creatures.
What resonated in this article? Leave a comment or send me an email. Criticisms are welcome and celebrated. beyoutiful@thepartyscientist.com
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