For me it was hearing 'tour de france' by Kraftwerk on Radio Caroline, and then a few months later seeing Turbo dance with his broom to the same in 'Breakdance'. That spurned an entire electro feast for me (especially loving Streetsounds Electro 3), and the Beasties.
And yes, I was a B-Boy, popping, locking, spinnin' and....freeze!
Then funnily enough, would you believe it, a band called Orbital played at a night where my school friend was celebrating his 18th Birthday (Adam). It was 1989 or 1990, cant remember exactly, at the grasshopper inn in westerham. I don't remember seeing them, I don't even think I was there. But didn't stop hearing chime after that! Best Orbital gigs (for me): MTV Dance launch @ Ocean (mainly cos I was so supprised!), Ally Pally NYE 1997 ('Somewhere out There' MY GOD!), and Glastonbury 2001 .
And then, on its own...LFO by LFO. A new direction.
Other epiphanies: Metalheadz turned my world upside down (blue note), Underworld live (always), Radiohead live for the 1st time after they went 'exerimental' - suddenly I understood where they were coming from!
Recently: Jamie Lidell... sometimes a bit confusing, but mind blowing!
Dom
http://www.echaskech.com