My Worst Set Ever (And Why It Was the Best Lesson)

It was supposed to be a big night. Packed venue, solid lineup, my name on the poster. I had rehearsed the set for days. But five minutes in, everything collapsed.

The CDJs glitched. The monitors buzzed. My USB wasn’t recognized. I tried switching ports, rebooting — nothing. The crowd started shifting, murmuring. My heart sank.

Panic set in. And then something surprising happened. I picked up my phone, connected to a small Bluetooth speaker I had in my bag, and played a track I had stored offline — something ambient, barely rhythmic. It wasn’t a dancefloor banger. But the room paused.

A guy lit a candle. Someone else sat on the floor. Within minutes, people started pulling their phones out and adding quiet visuals — lasers, stars, ambient apps. The club turned into a space of shared improvisation.

What I Learned:

• Be human, not flawless. Perfection isn't real. People connect with honesty.

• Always have a Plan Z. A phone and a small speaker literally saved the night.

• Let go of ego. My role wasn't to control the vibe — it was to guide it, even if it meant stepping back.

That set was supposed to be a highlight. Instead, it was a failure — and then, a rebirth. I walked off the stage 90 minutes later to a standing ovation. Not because of the music. But because I didn’t walk away.