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Transactional Analysis: Psychology of DJs, Promoters and Audience

Transactional Analysis can transform your electronic music career.

Over the past few years, I’ve been studying Transactional Analysis (TA) with a group of Polish psychologists, and it’s taught me some powerful lessons about what it means to operate as an Adult—not just in life but as a DJ.

It’s been impressive, and the global group of students and teachers has taught me this work is universal. Shout out to Alex Piotrowska, who has supported and pushed me on my TA journey over the years.

Through this work, I’ve also come to understand the life ‘scripts’ we all carry, those small but significant beliefs formed early on that shape how we navigate the world.

A common one for all people is “I am not good enough,” and if that belief persists, it often keeps DJ in the bedroom DJ mode—not taking risks, over-preparing, over-practicing, and avoiding the real-world connections that build a career.

Understanding these patterns through the lens of TA has been eye-opening. Let’s break down how DJs, promoters, and audiences interact, the roles they play, and how these dynamics can shape (or hinder) success.

What is Transactional Analysis?

Transactional Analysis (TA) is a psychological framework developed by Eric Berne that explores human behaviour, communication, and relationships through the lens of three primary ego states: the Parent, Adult, and Child.

These ego states represent patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving influenced by past experiences.

In essence we can all enter these states and make a choice how we enter a conversation or situation.

TA is used to analyse interactions, called transactions, to understand the dynamics of relationships and how they are shaped by unconscious scripts—life narratives developed in childhood.

By identifying and addressing these patterns, TA helps individuals improve communication, build healthier relationships, and foster personal growth.

TA Basics: Ego States and Transactions

Transactional Analysis identifies three primary ego states that we all possess and use on a daily basis.

1. Parent: Behaviours, thoughts, and feelings learned from authority figures. When you are in this mode, you are more ‘parental’ and be a nurturing or critical parent. Think about that!
2. Adult: When you are in adult mode you are rational, objective, and present-focused. This state processes information logically and makes decisions based on facts.
3. Child: This is when your behaviours, thoughts, and feelings are replayed from childhood. This can be a playful, spontaneous Free Child or an Adapted Child shaped by external expectations where you can’t be yourself.

Every interaction (or transaction) occurs between these states, and the success of that interaction depends on whether the states align. For example:

I first learned about TA when learning sales for my business. In a simplified explanation, buyer and seller walk into a sales conversation as adults – analytical and possibly cynical.

The salesperson’s role is to move to the ‘nurturing parent’ and help the buyer move into the child state. Once in a child state, the buyer will open up and tell the seller their problems and what they really want.

Btw, this is all natural behaviour but TA allows us to bring the ‘transaction’ to the table to analyse our behaviour if we want better outcomes for all.

In the situation of the electronic music scene:

• Complementary Transactions: When the DJ’s Adult cues the audience’s Free Child to dance and enjoy themselves, the interaction is smooth and effective.
• Crossed Transactions: If the DJ’s energy seeks a Childlike response, but the audience remains in an Adult state (e.g., standing still, arms crossed), the connection falters.

The Roles of Promoters, DJs, and Audiences

Promoters: The Organisers (Adult/Nurturing Parent)

Promoters bridge the gap between DJs and audiences. They operate primarily from the Adult ego state, organising events, managing logistics, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

At their best, they also tap into the Nurturing Parent state, creating a welcoming environment for everyone involved. When promoters do their job well, they empower DJs to focus on their craft and audiences to immerse themselves in the experience.

DJs: The Guides (Adult/Free Child)

The ideal state for a DJ is a balance of Adult and Free Child. The Adult state ensures they read the room, make strategic decisions about track selection, and adapt to the crowd’s energy.

The Free Child brings creativity, spontaneity, and a playful energy that audiences find contagious.

Vital: A DJ who leans too heavily into one state—overthinking in Adult or being overly self-indulgent in Free Child—can lose their connection with the audience.

Audiences: The Receivers (Child)

Audiences often arrive in an Adult or Parent state, carrying the weight of their day-to-day lives.

A DJ’s goal is to transition them into the Free Child state, where they can let go, dance, and feel joy. If the music doesn’t resonate, the audience may stay in their Adult state, analysing or judging rather than participating.

Life Scripts: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Life scripts are unconscious narratives formed in childhood, often shaped by family dynamics and societal expectations.

For many DJs, a common script is, “I am not good enough.” This belief can lead to self-sabotaging behaviours. which re-enforce their script/belief, such as:

• Avoiding networking opportunities.
• Over-preparing and second-guessing.
• Staying in the safety of the bedroom rather than performing publicly.

These scripts aren’t destiny. By identifying and challenging these beliefs, DJs can rewrite their narratives, making choices that align with growth and confidence.

Substance Use and Ego States

Substances like drugs or excessive alcohol can disrupt a DJ’s ability to maintain the Adult ego state. While some may feel these substances enhance creativity, they often push the DJ into an Adapted Child state, leading to poor decision-making and erratic behaviour.

This not only impacts the performance but can also alienate audiences and damage reputations.

Imposter Syndrome: The Silent Saboteur

Imposter syndrome—the feeling of being a fraud despite evident success—is rampant in creative fields, including music. DJs experiencing imposter syndrome may:

• Over-prepare or avoid taking risks.
• Struggle with self-promotion, fearing they’ll be “exposed” as not talented enough.
• Compare themselves unfavourably to others.

Advice for DJs

1. Recognise and Rewrite Your Life Scripts: Identify limiting beliefs and challenge them. If your script is “I’m not good enough,” replace it with evidence of your achievements and strengths. One thing I suggest is to keep a journal and update it daily, recording your daily wins – even uploading to Mixcloud is a small step in the right direction. (Not recording wins is a common issue I see in big business and electronic music!).
2. Embrace the Adult State: Balance rational decision-making with moments of creative spontaneity. Don’t overthink to the point of stifling your creativity.
3. Build a Network: Step out of the bedroom and connect with promoters, other DJs, and audiences. Relationships are as vital as technical skills.
4. Avoid Over-Reliance on Substances: Stay present and grounded in the Adult state to deliver consistent and professional performances.
5. Combat Imposter Syndrome: Focus on your unique journey rather than comparing yourself to others. Celebrate small wins and remember that everyone starts somewhere.
6. Understand Your Audience’s Journey: Create sets that guide the audience from their Adult or Parent state into the Free Child state, where they can fully engage with the music and experience.

Real-World Examples of Ego States

Norice how music industry people have to work and balance between ego states, and the audience is trying to temporarily escape the adult state into Free Child:

• \Promoter (Adult/Nurturing Parent): Michael Eavis, founder of Glastonbury, exemplifies the Adult state through meticulous organisation and the Nurturing Parent state by fostering a community-focused festival.
• DJ (Adult/Free Child): Carl Cox balances technical precision (Adult) with infectious energy and joy (Free Child), creating unforgettable experiences. He’s loved because he’s talented, giving and free like a child, but do you ever see much ego? (He has one of course, we all do, we need it to drive us. But overall I think he’s loved for one word: joy. Not “vinyl vs digital’ or DJing on a mountaintop.
• Audience (Child): Festival-goers embody the Free Child state when they lose themselves in the music, dancing with abandon.

DJs learn to be a free-child and an adult!

I realise this is the polar opposite of the glamour of clubs and traction of your insta profile but understanding the dynamics of Transactional Analysis within the music scene offers profound insights into the interactions between DJs, promoters, and audiences.

By embracing YOUR Adult state, challenging YOUR limiting scripts, and fostering meaningful connections, you can elevate both your craft and career.

The dance floor isn’t just a space for music—it’s a psychological ecosystem where every transaction matters.