MNDLB5 - FIRST CONCERT EVER

In this First Concert Ever segment, the drum and bass artist, MNDLB5, talks about the story of his first experience with live music. You can check out the story below:

Long before I ever stood behind the decks as a DJ, my love for electronic music was sparked by one unforgettable night. It was 1995 in Toronto, and I was at my first-ever concert—a Vision Rave featuring Juan Atkins, the godfather of techno. That night wasn’t just another show; it had historical significance for me. Juan was one of the Belleville Three, the pioneers of techno, and he was responsible for what many consider the first-ever techno track, No UFOs by Model 500.

The event itself had an air of mystery. Like many true underground raves of the time, the venue was kept secret until the night of the event, with the location only revealed at midnight. That secrecy added to the excitement—you had to be part of the scene to even find your way there. When I finally arrived, I was met with an electric atmosphere unlike anything I had ever experienced. The venue was a massive warehouse, a big-room setup that could hold more than 5,000 people, pulsating with raw energy. The crowd was truly underground—people who lived and breathed electronic music, pushing the culture forward with every beat.

And the outfits? Absolutely wild. Neon colors flashed in the dark, glow sticks twirled in hypnotic patterns, and PVC pants reflected the strobe lights like futuristic armor. Some dancers rocked full cyberpunk-style gear, while others kept it simple with oversized JNCO jeans and tiny crop tops. It was a visual overload—a sea of people moving together, lost in the music, creating an atmosphere that felt both otherworldly and completely free.

Juan started his set in a way I’ll never forget—he dropped Numbers by Kraftwerk, a retro electronic classic. It was a brilliant choice, as Kraftwerk’s mechanical rhythms and futuristic vision had been a major influence on his own production work. Hearing that track echo through the massive space was surreal. Then, as his set built momentum, he seamlessly transitioned into his own machine-driven, Detroit techno sound, and I was completely mesmerized.

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