Tell us the story of your first gig!

Posted by Rich in Music

We've had a discussion about first albums, now it's time to talk first gigs! Tell us the story of your first live music experience: who did you see, when did you see them, and were they any good?

These are the obvious things to share, but - depending on the gig - perhaps you'd like to add that it was your parents' idea, and what was the first gig you saw by your own choice? Tell us the story with optional pictures or links to the performance, if you can find any.

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Created at 12:39pm, 27th August, 2024. Page last updated at 10:53pm, 17th September, 2024.
Deadline at 11:00pm, 17th September, 2024.

Submissions (19)

Limal9/17/2024

Won$2

So, this one time, my buddy dragged me to some underground club. I can't even remember the name of the place. I was only 16, and it was totally illegal, but no one seemed to care. I was with my trusty friend, and my parents knew about it and were cool with it.

The music was a bunch of local industrial and noise bands. After listening to Backstreet Boys and Madonna, this music was like a whole new world for me. And the people there were wild—leather, latex, spikes, and tattoos everywhere.

That night really opened my eyes to a whole new side of music. I may not remember the exact names, but it was the start of my journey into the dark and amazing world of music.

Lanah Tyra9/17/2024

Won$2

Been to a few concerts before this if we were taken by the school, but didn't really enjoy them as they were nothing like the music I was listening to. The South-American TV shows were very popular in my country among elderly people, and I never dared to admit it at school (was already bullied by the other kids, didn't need to give them another reason) that I liked one of them too. I'm not sure what was the original title, but in Hungary it was called Wild Angel. I especially loved the music so when Natalia Oreiro was holding a concert, I begged my mom to take me to it as I didn't have any friends to go with.

This is a footage from that concert what I found on Youtube, the good old days of recording stuff from the TV so sorry for the quality 😅

Not exactly the type of music or concert you expected from me given how I'm a metalhead now, but I still think she made (or makes? - I should probably check if she has some new stuff) great music.

Josh B9/17/2024

Won$2

My first proper gig was actually with my auntie (sounds lame but we have odd generational divides in the family so she's only 7 years older than me). For my 16th birthday she took me to one of the Kerrang tour events which had The Blackout, Alter Bridge and All Time Low playing, to name just a few.

It was absolutely packed and the mosh pit was wild (not that I joined in).

She scored me some booze and we had a blast there, before I crashed at her student accommodation that night.

Seems like forever ago but I remember it well!

Hangerhead9/17/2024

Won$2

Way back in 1984, Twisted Sister were touring the UK, whilst I was still at secondary school.

One of my fellow students (I think we were in French lessons together) found out about the gig, canvassed a load of us and subsequently got a minibus hired and tickets bought.

When we got to the venue (Ipswich Gaumont Threatre), our seats were all covered by sound mixing desk stuff - we were given the option of either taking a box office set of seats, or standing at the front.

being naive, we chose the box seats and felt e'd made the right choice, until the gig started (support was tygers of pan tang) and everyone just moved to the front :D

Did get a grandstand view of the SMF song being sung at the one person who wasn't standing up...until he raised his crutches showing he'd got a broken leg.

Still on of my top 10 gigs of all time as it was the first one I'd ever been to.

Shovel9/17/2024

Won$2

My first ever concert was a last minute thing. My friends had tickets for Ed Sheeran at Manchester Arena and they had a friend drop out. They messaged me and asked if I wanted to join, and I could pay them back later so I joined them. This was the 22nd of April back in 2017!

I wasn’t even a fan of his, so the album I barely knew the words and I remember my friend would scream the lyrics for me before he sang it so I could sing along! So cute