Devo

Devo is one of the most inventive and visual entertaining groups that rose up during the '70s New Wave movement. Their 1978 debut, "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!", was an epic release and took the quintet of denizens from Akron, Ohio to success (and landing them a musical spot on "Saturday Night Live" later that same year).

The band was also a perfect act for video and Devo was a large staple during the early MTV days.

Currently undertaking a farewell tour (labeled as "DEVO: Celebrating 50 Years of De-Evolution"), the band performed at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway on May 9, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts (USA).

Raucous versions of "Shoot (I'm a Man)" and 1982's hit, "Peek-A-Boo!", opened the set which found Devo in peak form.

Consisting of original members Mark Mothersbaugh (vocals and keyboards), Gerald Casale (vocals and bass) and Bob Mothersbaugh (guitar), the band is now rounded out with newer recruits Josh Hager (guitar and keyboards) and Jeff Friedl (drums). Devo continued the cerebral musical assault with "Going Under", "That's Good", and a phenomenal take of "Girl U Want".

Not even at the show's halfway point, they trotted out their biggest hit, "Whip It", the song that elevated Devo on the pop charts (peaking at #14 in the USA in 1980), and garnered them a more mainstream following.

After "Planet Earth", the group left the stage (while a Carl Sagan video played) and returned donning their classic yellow jumpsuits and red energy dome hats and railed into their eclectic version of The Rolling Stones', "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". The Boston crowd was elated to sing along - (especially when Mark Mothersbaugh recreated his almost robotic chanting of "Baby" 34 times!).

Another cover tune, "Secret Agent Man," kept the 60's aura alive, but Devo quickly returned with original tracks "Uncontrollable Urge" and the first single Devo ever released, "Mongoloid."

The classics continued with "Jocko Homo" (originally the flip side of the "Mongoloid" 45 rpm) and a frantic meshing of "Smart Patrol" which immediately went into "Mr. DNA" and concluded the set with 1980's "Gates of Steel".

Before returning for the encore, a pre-recorded tape of the "Devo Corporate Anthem" was pumped into the arena that led into a trio with "Freedom of Choice", "Gut Feeling (Slap Your Mammy)" and ending with "Beautiful World".

Mark Mothersbaugh sang "Beautiful World" while dressed in costume as the character "Booji Boy" ("Booji Boy" debuted in the Devo short film, "The Truth About De-Evolution" in 1976).

Devo had not performed in Boston for nearly 17 years, so the prospects for this show were quite elevated. Devo surpassed all expectations, leaving the crowd euphoric.