In my series “Long Live Live”, I’m highlighting some of the most revered live recordings of all time. You’ll see my musical biases, but there’s no doubt that each of these tracks played a pivotal role in shaping music history. I started Mental Jukebox last year because I needed another music listening outlet when there were no more live shows to go to. These songs remind me that nothing will ever replace the blend of atmosphere and performance captured in the live experience.

The year was 1988. Almost overnight, Depeche Mode was thrust into the masses. They were taking over stadiums on an ambitious tour across the states. On “Never Let Me Down Again” at the Rose Bowl, we experience a band transcending the boundaries of traditional stadium rock. It rode on the back of Martin Gore’s grating electric guitar riff, all while David Gahan steered a new alt rock universe into euphoria with his arms waving in the air.

“We're flying high. We're watching the world pass us by. Never want to come down. Never want to put my feet back down on the ground.”