Of all the lighting scenarios at parties, strobes bug me out the most. Intensely wylin’ out ones with a similar effect are a close second. Maybe it's because my eyes are as wide-eyed as an owl. For reals, my eyes actually ache and my already overstimulated brain goes on the fritz. I feel like someone spun me around to play pin the tail on the donkey while riding a carousel. It's disorienting to say the least. It freaks me out so much that I've left parties that are otherwise fab simply because I just can't take it.
This isn’t a critique of some incredible lighting designers out there- it's just my preference. Energy and excitement mirroring the music, I get it. Strobes can be striking when briefly used at the pinnacle moments of a track in a beautifully lit room. But when they’re on for 20 minutes, a whole DJ set or even *gasp* an entire party, the room turns upside down, my stomach inside out and my anxiety goes on overdrive. I’m sure I look super sketchy because I can’t lift my head up to look people in the eyes. My eyelashes frenetically flutter, looking freakish rather than flirty. Perhaps they're unconsciously synching with the rhythm of the music or keeping up with the perpetual pulsating lights. Whatever the reasons are, I find them annoying as hell.
I have one fond strobe light memory which I wasn't actually present for. It's in Flashdance, my all time favorite movie. Jennifer Beals’ is the epitome of cool in that film- I so wanted to be her. But it's not the emotional attachment to the movie that gives them a pass. The cinematography is dynamic and beautiful. So in the scene when her body double is dancing against the white tiled wall and they suddenly flash on (and off) my eyes are transfixed to the screen, barely blinking, and absorbing every frame. Also, they only last for 30ish seconds of a 3 minute dance number.
Other than that, for me strobes are a hard no. I know a lot of people not only like, but thrive when dancing in lights that shutter at a supersonic speed. Yay for them I guess. I do have methods of aversion so I can avoid leaving the party. I put my sunglasses on to dim them which make the manically aggressive lights more palatable. So know that if you see me with shades on inside, it’s not because I’m fucked up or trying to look cool or something. I'll do whatever it takes to quell my anxiety so I can focus on the music. My other strategies are to face a wall, move to a less lit area of the dancefloor or shut my eyes. I hope my methods help anyone who’s delicate eyes face a similar issue.
After playing a recent set, my gurl proclaimed that she hates them too. And she’s working in the lights, I’m just a patron dancing! I don’t know how she sees the decks. And then it struck me- I suggested that she put no strobes on her rider Which she did. Sooooo, if there are any DJs out there who are struggling to see in the booth and the crowd through the strobes, I (strongly) suggest following suit. Not trying to coerce anyone, just thought to put that out there for those who face the same issue. To each, their own as always of course.