Twitch

There’s a new routine on Fridays: Twitch and the chat room.My husband, who is a dj, introduced me to twitch, a streaming app/ website where creators, like DJs, can host streams while participants engage by following, subscribing, and using the chat room and emotes. I’ve been watching Twitch on Friday nights and it’s a full VIBE. My screen is literally lit with green screen overlays, Djs talking on the microphone giving love to all the people in the chat and emotes such as janet jackson, clinking shot glasses and dancing silhouettes. Who would have thought that a simple streaming app could be so much fun? I jump to different streams and i”m immediately greeted in the chat room with friendly texts and emotes, some from people I don’t even know but have built a familiarity based on their twitch handle.
What I appreciate the most about twitch is that each DJ has their own unique style and format. If I want to listen to 90s music, I’ll check out Dj Verz, If I want a quick mix, I’ll check out DJ Mel, If I want a chill vibe I’ll tune into DJ Umami. What ever I’m feeling, I can easily find a DJ that will match my mood and a chat filled with folks who are in the same spirit.
It’s a culture that has its language: emote, raid, twitch, affiliate, bit, moderator, lurker, overlay, cheer, train. Believe it or not, as odd as these terms are, they have been part of my daily colloquial. It’s strange to go even for a day without saying the phrase “what emote should I use for the raid”? A few weeks ago I would have never uttered the words, let alone know what they meant. But here I am speaking twitch adages as if I’ve spoken them my entire life.
It’s great to see DJs evolve and move their passion to twitch. With bars and clubs closed, twitch has become a new home for music lovers and while I haven’t been to a club in years, even way before sheltering in place, I definitely have found a new home where I don’t mind twitching.