Nerves is always part of it, many of the top djs also admit to nerves before hand. I used to shake like i leaf,It used to feel like i was stuck in the anatartic with no top on lol. In my oppinnion alot of its is fear of the unknown/none familarity, and a big part for me in decades gone by, was th equipment aspects and following on from djs who just used to destroy the sound system: in the red laeving you know where to go control wise and i need control, i needed to be percise in my mixing control and headphone cueing section etc.
But after a gig i always went aways feeling i rocked it, bassed on the crowd reaction, my levels may have dropped and sounded odd at first, but soon after you can tell poeple get more from being able to here a clean undistorted or squashed mix and overall sound, Never the less Probally the most frightening part, until you get underway That is if the Dodgy setup can be worked apon.
So really it is only about familarity when all is said and done! .
Now we have our laptops, and the setups we choose,so for me in the future, i will still have nerves, As said, laptop crashes are one of the biggest concearn, in a bar i would not worry too much as its cosy and casual_Expereince in this enviroment teaches you not to flap. But in a large club enviromnet it can be a little less forgiving, but that would be more with an ableton live set, at least with Cross etc, its a lot quicker to get back up and running and pick up where you left off. No consellation in my words yep it can be scary,but In my thoughts: becuase i love music and putting on a show/always trying to outdo my last set and the djs, this buzz gets me through, knowing i am capable of some memorable journeys into escapism to pleasure those true music lovers/clubbers and big epic nights at home lol., it makes the fear of the unkown and Nerves all worth it, As i DJ i feel you must have this fear, then you know you are taking risks in your mix and techniqes to create some truly joyful times and memories in the music, Well! at least confusing hell out of people in a nice way i like to think, being different and not conforming to the same ole same, At the end of the day any expereince is good exeperience as alearning curve, into Controlling the shakes , so dont be
I Hope your session went well.