DEVO Celebrates 50 Years of De-Evolution at the YouTube Theater

DEVO performing at the YouTube Theater, LA by Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp

legendary group stopped in LA for a night on farewell tour

Anybody who has ever heard “Whip It” is sure to have a soft spot for DEVO, one of the most influential, unconventional bands to ever shape music and culture. Nobody made new wave weirder than the Akron, Ohio group, who continue to inspire generations of avant-garde punks and misfits from all walks of life, not to mention countless bands. All things must come to an end at some point though, and after a career spanning half a century, they are saying goodbye with one final world tour.

A sea of 6,000 energy dome-clad Spuds filled Inglewood’s YouTube Theater to celebrate DEVO’s legacy–and even after all this time has passed, it has hardly changed them. After a fittingly-narrated “Then and Now” short by Rod Rooter, the silhouette of Jerry Casale emerged, feverishly dancing as the stage came to life and the rest of the band joined him to dive into “Don’t Shoot (I’m A Man).” The first act of the show included classics such as “Peek-A-Boo!,” “Girl U Want,” and, of course, “Whip It,” during which Mark Mothersbaugh donned his classic garb featured in the music video and whipped it like it was brand new.

DEVO performing at the YouTube Theater, LA by Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp

DEVO’s three original members are in their 70s now, and their singularly off-kilter showmanship remains unmatched. Their singular sense of humor and cartoonish satire is as pertinent as ever, and their spirits burn with tirelessness; this band truly has been their lives, and they honor it accordingly. At one point, Mothersbaugh sustained a cut and let blood stream down his forearm as he played the rest of the show–further proof that he’s still punk through and through.

DEVO performing at the YouTube Theater, LA by Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp

Reappearing for the second portion of the set, the yellow jumpsuit-clad fivesome performed their “de-evolved” reimaginings of “I Can’t Get No (Satisfactions)” and “Secret Agent Man,” two covers that are just as classic as the originals. Their jerky movements and belovedly bizarre energy built to a climax for frenetic favorite “Uncontrollable Urge,” followed by the equally danceable “Mongoloid.” Descending from the stage, Mothersbaugh called on audience assistance for the angular call-and-response of “Jocko Homo.” Everyone from to a jumpsuit-and-energy-dome-wearing young boy pogoing in the front row to a dancing elderly woman of about the same size were moved to move–a poignant living testament to DEVO’s timelessness.

DEVO performing at the YouTube Theater, LA by Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp

The encore brought the night to a bittersweet finale with “Freedom Of Choice,” after which Casale reminded the audience to “use it while you’ve still got it,” adding in a brief moment of heartbreaking sincerity, “it’s going fast.” As playful as DEVO is, they’re equally political and philosophical. Before they bid us adieu, they kept the dancing going with none other than “Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy,” and, joined by none other than Berlin’s Terri Nunn and Mothersbaugh as Booji Boy, performed a rousing rendition of “Beautiful World.”

A night to remember, it was a vibrant, living retrospective memorializing an indelible musical legacy. Thousands united under one roof by the staying power of their sound and vision, it was a stirring reminder that this is a band that has lit up and changed so many lives (and will continue to touch many more) irrevocably–not just ours as fans, but theirs, too. We are but one nation under DEVO, and in DEVO we trust eternally. Thank you for an unforgettable 50 years.

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!