Forget your standard Battle of the Bands. This was Your Shot, the world’s biggest aspiring DJ competition, bringing its high-energy spectacle to New Zealand for a second year.
It was a two-day marathon of beats, where 130 DJs got their moment to shine, spinning for a packed house that just couldn’t get enough.
The competition offers a unique twist. Contestants enter with zero experience and receive six weeks of intensive training, turning complete novices into capable beat makers.
And the stakes are high. The winners land gigs at international music festivals like Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and BPM Festival.
Walking into Galatos felt like stepping into a kaleidoscope. Five distinct DJ rooms blasted everything from House and Techno to Drum’n’Bass. Each space a swirling mix of glitz, glamour, and colour.
This was a celebration of connection, a reminder that the universal language of music knows no borders.
The first DJ to catch my attention was Caroline Lindsey, better known as DJ Caroline, who stepped onto the stage with a nervous smile and slightly trembling hands.
It was her very first live performance, and you could feel the weight of that moment. The flashing lights, the thrum of anticipation from the crowd, and the intensity of dozens of eyes watching her every move.
Remember, these contestants have had only six weeks of DJ training, focused heavily on technical skills. Now, they were being thrust into the limelight, tasked with transforming classroom practice into a live spectacle.
By the time her third song hit, something clicked. The nerves seemed to melt away, replaced by a newfound confidence. She started moving with the music, her hands flowing over the mixer with a natural ease that hadn’t been there moments before.
The shift was electric. Suddenly, she was commanding the stage, hitting all the right buttons, and dialling in those stomping beats with precision. The crowd responded immediately. Heads began bobbing, feet started shuffling, and the dance floor came alive.
It was as if a spark had been lit. DJ Caroline was no longer just a contestant, she was the conductor of a collective experience, guiding the crowd through a set that moved hearts as much as it moved feet.
Watching her transformation from a nervous newcomer to a confident crowd-pleaser was a reminder of what Your Shot is all about. It’s not just about the technical mastery of mixing tracks. It’s about the moment when a DJ steps out of their shell, connects with the crowd, and takes control of the room.
And in that moment, DJ Caroline showed that she wasn’t just playing music, she was creating a shared experience, one beat drop at a time.
Whether it was sharing last-minute track tips or cheering each other on from the sidelines, the event felt more like a family reunion than a contest. These were competitors, sure, but they were also friends, bonded by their shared passion for DJing and their love of the crowd.
The sounds of beats and crushing drops filled the air with an irresistible rhythm. Every room had its own vibe, but the common thread was the undeniable groove that made you want to move.
From the dark, hypnotic tech-house grooves in the basement to the sun-soaked, feel-good tropical house tunes, each set was a testament to the talent and versatility of these fresh-faced DJs.
Technical ability, track selection, stage presence, crowd interaction, creativity, and perhaps most importantly, that elusive Wow factor.
And while the competition was fierce, there was also a sense of collective joy. Each DJ who stepped behind the decks brought something unique to the table (no pun intended), creating a vibrant tapestry of sounds and styles that kept the crowd on their feet from the first beat to the last.
The buzz didn’t stop when the sets ended. I spoke with a few of the artists during the night, and the consensus was clear. The adrenaline rush from playing live was like nothing else.
They fed off the crowd’s energy, and it showed. One contestant, a wildcard entry who had only been mixing for a few months, told me, I’ve never felt anything like this. The crowd’s reaction, the lights, the bass… it’s pure magic.
First up was Katlain Gootch, known on stage as DJ Rascal Rhythm, who had made the trip from the Coromandel just for this event.
When I asked how she got started as a DJ, her enthusiasm was infectious. I’ve wanted to DJ since I was 11, but I didn’t touch a deck until six weeks ago. That was my very first time, she shared, grinning ear to ear.
I’m a brand-new baby DJ, but watch this space, she added with a confident spark, hinting at a promising future.
Curious about the creative process behind a DJ’s set, I spoke with Aidan Hunt, better known as DJ RX, to learn how he sources his music and finds inspiration.
It’s a modern-day crate-digging method that perfectly encapsulates the digital age of DJing. Finding those hidden gems in the vast landscape of online mixes.
These interviews highlighted a key theme of Your Shot.
It’s not just about technical skill but the passion and drive to discover, learn, and share music with others. Whether they’re fresh to the scene or seasoned pros, each DJ brings their unique journey and influences, making the event a melting pot of sound and style.
The prizes up for grabs are a dream come true for any aspiring DJ. With wildcard spots offering a 1 in 30 chance and a 1 in 100 shot for the newbies, the opportunity to break into the industry has never felt more accessible.
But beyond the prizes and the prestige, what makes Your Shot special is its spirit. It’s not just a DJ competition, it’s a community.
It’s an outlet for people from all walks of life to connect with one another, to express themselves through music, and to find a sense of belonging in a shared experience. In a world that can often feel disconnected, this was a reminder of the power of music to bring us together.
As a self-professed music junkie, no matter the genre, I walked away thoroughly impressed. Your Shot isn’t just an event, it’s a movement, and it’s making dreams come true, one drop at a time.
If you missed it this year, mark your calendar for next. Because this is one party you don’t want to miss.
Paul Marshall
Photographs by Paul Marshall (iPhone 15)