We went to Obama’s inaugural concert on the Mall in 2009–U2, Springsteen, and a bunch of others. Again, not a great concert (too hard to see or hear and really cold) but memorable.
James Taylor & Carole King in 2010 - had seats on the 10th row and for 2 hours or so I was 15 again.
I’ve seen Billy Joel twice - once in the late 70s or so and again in 2014. Terrible seats, but awesome performance.
These were memorable concerts for me. No particular order.
Crosby, Stills, and Nash at UIUC in the early 80s. Somehow, we landed great seats. Watching Stephen Stills on guitar, up close, singing Suite: Judy Blue Eyes? Wow.
Rick Danko & Levon Helm played at a small LAC, in a small venue, early 80s, and we went, just for something to do that weekend. I had no idea who they were. BLEW ME AWAY.
Big Twist and The Mellow Fellows, also at a small LAC in a small venue, early 80s. So much fun, and so much energy.
The Music of Led Zeppelin, where a major symphony accompanies an excellent cover band. Great fun for the audience and symphony members alike.
Sometimes at work, as a conversation starter with guests, we’ll ask them to name their first concert. It’s a fun game, and the look in people’s eyes as they board the way back machine is priceless. We’ve had some really good laughs.
Sometimes people will divide their “first concert” into the one I made my parents take me to (pre-teen band crush) and the first concert I went to on my own.
I had one customer smile, look at me intently with an “are you ready?” air, and say “Beatles. Shea Stadium 1965”.
My first pre-teen concerts were Tony Orlando and Dawn, and Shaun Cassidy - I had a mad crush on him :).
As a teen in SoCal, I spent a lot of my free time either at concerts or in line for concert tickets at Tower Records. In 1982, when I was 13, my first big concert was The Who with The Clash and T-Bone Burnett at the L.A. Coliseum, and my best friend and I braved the wild pit. We were bruised and battered, but it was worth it! In 1983, I saw dozens of shows, from punk (Black Flag!) and new wave to ska, rock, and pop. Highlights that year were multiple U2 “War” shows (I’ve seen every local U2 tour since), David Bowie with Madness and The Go-Gos in Anaheim, Peter Gabriel at The Greek, Elvis Costello in Irvine, and the Ramones at the Hollywood Palladium. In '84, I saw INXS at the Palladium and thought Michael Hutchence was the most intoxicating performer I’d ever seen (mind you, I was a 15 year old girl). In '85, I saw Prince’s Purple Rain tour at The Forum. In 1986, just days before my 18th birthday, I went with my future husband to see the Conspiracy of Hope concert for Amnesty International, also at The Forum. We were right up front for this epic show which featured U2, Sting, Peter Gabriel, and Lou Reed. It was a great time to be a music lover! I’m sad that so many of the greats are gone now, many of them far too young.
@westcoastmomof2 Awesome first pre-teen concerts!
My first parents-took-me concert was Sonny & Cher! Then, also as a kid, at the Iowa State Fair, I was petitioning, HARD, to see Elton John. Instead, the adults took us to see The Osmonds because my cousin loved them. I was appalled and behaved poorly, trying to make everyone suffer for the decision. I’m still bitter.
ZZTop was the first concert I went to with friends, no parents. A-how-how-how
First concert: David Bowie in 1976
oooo @doschicos the Station to Station tour. Did they project images from Un Chien Andalou ? I was at Olympia stadium in Detroit for that one.
Grateful Dead @ Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, December 14th and 15th, 1971. Sneaked in both nights. Sat about 5-10 rows back from the stage. It may have been during study period. Foggy memories…
@musicamusica I don’t remember the images. This was middle school years. Tagged along with my older brother and a group of his friends which was kind of him in retrospect. Just wish my seats were closer.
Found the setlist on line. A bunch of his best songs:
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/david-bowie/1976/boston-garden-boston-ma-3bd09c2c.html
I went to many concerts between the ages of 14-16 at small venues using my older sister’s ID. Several were the Talking Heads where I was just an arms length away from the stage. Those were very memorable. Thank goodness my folks weren’t helicopter parents.
My kids’ first concert was David Bryne at 8 and 5 years of age. You’ve got to get them started young on developing good musical taste. 
First concert that I made my parents take me to: David Cassidy. They also brought my little brother and sister!
First concert with a friend: Janis Ian
Favorites: I know folks are getting tired of “Hamilton”, but my skin began tingling from the very first notes, and I am not a hip-hop fan.
Al Stewart at the Cactus Cafe in Austin. Everyone waited in line with LP’s for him to sign.
D was part of a choir singing Rutter’s “Requiem” at Carnegie Hall with Rutter directing. We are big choral music nerds so were really excited about Rutter
@doschicos hey, make me feel old why dontcha? 
When I was living in Washington D.C. (for the 2nd time) I went to both Jackson Browne concerts (Friday and Saturday night) at Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia MD. The concerts were great, but the coolest thing about it is I still regularly hear on the radio, “Running on Empty” and his version of “Loudout/Stay” that were recorded live at that concert.
The first concert my parents took me to was a road tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” back when it was just a “rock opera” and not a stage show.
If anyone is a fan of The Hold Steady’s music, they are amazing in concert
First pop concert: Chad & Jeremy, NY State Fair. with my grandmother. I’m not that old.
@CHD2013, “America’s Best Bar Band!”
I love “Stuck Between Stations”. We can claim to be on topic since we are talking about a Professor at UMN
1 - Cars in Oakland,CA. early 80s.
2 - Kinks in Oakland, CA. early 80s.
3 - Cheap Trick in Oakland, CA. early 80s.
Saw The Police at the 350-seat UC Davis Coffee House when they were just starting to break out. Maybe 1978 or 1979.
Saw Nirvana at Green River Community College south of Seattle in the late 80s. (You may remember “The Green River Killer.” Same neighborhood. ) They were the opening act of three bands. Can’t remember the middle band. Headlining band was “Young Fresh Fellows.” Est. 400 people filled the room.
@simba9-
I saw the kinks at a local county college gym around that time period (I think it was 1980), my ears rang for a week after that one:)
Temptations at the Elmwood Casino.
Remarkably, got special seats due to a friend who said he knew someone who would take care of us.