As the band walked on stage, a distinctive series of notes echoed through the suburban arena, and the song “Black Celebration” began. I remember buzzing with anticipation alongside my sister Rachel, then howling with thousands of our fellow teenagers when the lights dropped. My first concert was Depeche Mode, the masters of 1980s industrial-tinged synth pop. At that moment, I see a glimpse of their younger self. One of my favorite get-to-know-you questions is, “What’s the first concert you went to?” Whether a cool act or a cringy one, talking about that experience always stirs people’s emotions-and I get a better understanding of the person telling the story. Join Longreads and help us to support more writers.
