Estonian female DJs: 'Techno is not chaos or drugs — it's community'

Two Estonian female DJs challenge outdated stereotypes surrounding techno music, describing it as a community-driven experience rather than a drug culture. They say the scene in Estonia is about presence, intensity, and helping people step away from everyday life. One of them compares the feeling behind the decks to being a shaman.

Estonia's techno scene is often painted with broad strokes — underground parties, rave culture, and a reputation for hedonism. But two Estonian female DJs are pushing back against that image, describing a world built on community, presence, and shared energy rather than chaos or substance use.

«You become a shaman,» one of the DJs says of what it feels like to stand behind the DJ booth. For both women, playing techno is less about entertainment and more about guiding a crowd through an intense, almost ritualistic collective experience.

Stereotypes Still Linger

Despite techno's growing legitimacy as an art form, the DJs say outdated perceptions persist in Estonia. Many still associate the genre automatically with drugs and danger — a misconception they find frustrating and reductive. They argue that the local scene has long moved past those clichés, evolving into something with genuine cultural depth.

According to the two artists, what actually draws people to techno events is the rare chance to be fully present — disconnected from screens, routines, and daily pressures. The music, they say, creates a container for that kind of release that few other social settings can offer.

A Scene Built on Connection

Both DJs emphasise that the community aspect is central to why they continue. The relationships formed on and off the dance floor, the shared values around inclusivity and mutual respect, and the creative dialogue between artists and audiences are what sustain the scene. For them, techno in Estonia is not a subculture hiding in the shadows — it is a living, breathing community that deserves to be understood on its own terms.