by Parandroid

In an age where algorithms decide our worth and virality trumps value, the very soul of underground culture is being tested. Nowhere is this more evident than in the psytrance scene—a culture I’ve dedicated my life to, and one that’s at risk of losing touch with its essence.

Let me be clear: this isn’t a post about blame. It’s about awareness. It’s about understanding the dynamics that shape our scene today and reflecting deeply on where we’re headed. As an artist who has toured the world, collaborated with countless visionaries, and felt the pulse of dancefloors across 30+ countries, I’ve witnessed firsthand the subtle shift from substance to spectacle.

And it’s time we talk about it.

The Rise of Image Over Impact

In recent years, social media has become the dominant filter through which talent is measured. And while platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have democratized exposure in powerful ways, they’ve also distorted the playing field—especially in how artists, particularly female-identifying ones, are portrayed and pushed.

The algorithm favors what performs well: often that means provocative visuals, not sonic innovation. This has led to a growing trend where artists—regardless of skill—are booked based on how well their profiles perform online, not on what they bring to the dancefloor. As a result, many lineups are skewing toward influencer-style bookings, often leaning heavily on sexualized aesthetics, and in some cases, sidelining years of musical discipline, culture, and experience.

This isn’t a critique of female DJs or their right to express themselves. It’s a critique of a system that reduces complex, talented individuals to avatars of engagement, and erodes the value of real musical contribution. The problem isn’t gender—it’s metrics. It’s a machine that’s trained us all to optimize for attention rather than impact.

What’s At Stake?

Psytrance was never meant to be mainstream. It’s a countercultural space—one rooted in ritual, rebellion, unity, and transcendence. It’s a language of the soul, not the selfie. When festivals and promoters begin to prioritize social reach over sonic authenticity, we’re not just reshaping lineups—we’re reshaping values. And when we trade depth for clicks, we risk turning sacred gatherings into fashion runways with a playlist.

This dynamic affects all of us: serious female producers whose artistry is overlooked in favor of more “marketable” faces, male producers forced into hyperbranding just to keep up, and audiences who slowly become conditioned to expect spectacle over substance.

My Stand: Evolve Without Losing the Core

My mission has always been to bring innovation, intensity, and transcendence into every beat. I believe in evolution. I believe in using new platforms and tools. But I also believe we must evolve consciously.

We can embrace social media without selling our souls to it.

We can champion diversity without tokenizing it.

We can celebrate beauty and sexuality without allowing them to overshadow mastery.

The future I envision is one where psytrance remains a fertile ground for the bold, the visionary, the sound alchemists—regardless of follower count or feed aesthetics. Where new artists are mentored, not manufactured. Where your set time is earned, not engineered.

An Invitation to the Scene

This is not a rant. It’s a call for recalibration.

To the promoters: book with courage. Look deeper than the grid. Dig into the sound, the story, the journey. True energy can’t be faked.

To the artists: stay rooted in your why. Build your art, not just your audience. The ones who follow you for the right reasons will always find you.

To the fans: support the artists who move you, not just the ones who trend. Help shape the future by choosing depth.

And to the scene: let’s not forget what made psytrance powerful in the first place. Connection. Intention. Integrity.

Let’s remember that the real stage is not on Instagram—it’s the dancefloor. That sacred space where time melts, masks fall, and the music speaks the truth we’re all hungry for.

Let’s keep that truth alive.

Image used under Fair Use for commentary and critique of the over-sexualization in the psytrance scene. Photo credit: PSYNONIMA