There’s this part in the recent DEVO documentary on Netflix where they show a television interview clip, and the host asks the band, “Do you think that things are ever going to get any better?” Gerald Casale (guitar/vocals) responds, “Well, they get better because people believe they get better.” There’s so much packed into that answer that’s as relevant today (if not more so) than it was when that interview first aired. DEVO has been posing those questions; asking their listeners to think independently for over 50 years. Whether or not things get better, the world is certainly a better place with the music of DEVO in it.

DEVO began 53 years ago in Akron, Ohio and although they’ve been labeled in the media as an art rock ensemble they’ve certainly, well, evolved past that description. And at a packed show at The Lyric on Wednesday night this quintet celebrated that accomplishment.

I, like many who grew up in the late 70’s and early 80’s, got my introduction to DEVO through MTV and the video for “Whip It.” The red flower pot hats, the black outfits and over-the-top visuals layered over the herky jerky movements of those five skinny guys. But as the years went on I listened back to those records and developed a greater appreciation for DEVO – the concept of de-evolution and how we seem to be on a backward movement toward a dumber, more base society.

I hadn’t seen DEVO live before, but I’d heard that their shows were legendary, so it was no surprise that during this tour there were no opening acts.

The show started with an introductory video of fictional record executive Rod Rooter of Big Entertainment lamenting his “biggest career regret” (“They could be playing big stadiums like Kid Rock!”), DEVO. What followed was the perfect start as old videos of the band dressed in industrial work gear flashed in a montage behind the stage.

As each member took the stage, running in place the band went right into “Don’t Shoot (I’m A Man)” from Something for Everybody. Immediately the whole theater seemed to be out of their seats and dancing, swaying, and singing along to every song.

Donning their red plastic energy dome hats the band – Mark Mothersbaugh (vocals/keys), Bob Mothersbaugh (guitar), Casale, and Josh Hager (bass) with Jeff Friedl on drums – launched into the hit singles “Girl U Want” and “Whip It” before the lights went down for a brief but dramatic moment.

DEVO then returned to the stage dressed in yellow hazmat suits as Casale asked the crowd, “SPUDS! Are you ready… for the Uncontrollable Urge?” as the band drove full-tilt into the song. Before you knew it Mark Mothersbaugh was tearing his suit apart, tossing bits into the crowd.

“Spuds! How many of you tonight think de-evolution is real?,” Casale asked the audience. “Oh, yeah. The evidence is in your face every moment.” Thus started one of the highlights (of which there were many) of the night as the band played one of their earliest, “Jocko Homo.” As a video played in the background, DEVO shed their yellow suits just before Mark went into the crowded theater chanting, “Are we not men?” as the crowd answered “We are DEVO!” And as the song progressed (or perhaps devolved) Bob thrashed on his guitar, shredding several strings in the process.

DEVO, ending their regular set with the Freedom of Choice track, “Gates of Steel” before returning with one of the best encores I’ve seen in recent memory.

Check out “The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprize” in 1979 at Rockpop by DEVO below:

The encore started with it’s own introduction before they kicked into the song “Freedom of Choice.” As an image of the American flag appeared on the massive screen behind the stage it morphed over time to show burn marks and tatters as the refrain rang out: “Freedom of choice is what you got / Freedom from choice is what you want.”

DEVO ended their brilliant set the best possible way. “You know we’re finally here all together and we don’t know when we might be back,” Casale told the crowd. With that the band started “Beautiful World” as Booji Boy, the masked, regressed, childlike character dressed in a foil suit took the stage, singing in his high falsetto as images of war, hatred, and famine played in between clips of bits of popular culture.

I’ve seen reunion shows and they’re nice. They’re fun. They’re for the fans, but DEVO’s music is so relevant today I really do hope there’s more to come. And it’s more than just the music, it’s the in-your-face live presentation that has concert goers thinking about those shows days and weeks afterward. This show (and I’m sure other shows on the Mutate, Don’t Stagnate Tour) started conversations as the crowd shuffled out and into the city night. And that’s the making of a great show.

The setlist included:

Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)
Peek-A-Boo!
Going Under
That’s Good
Girl U Want
Whip It
Planet Earth
Uncontrollable Urge
Blockhead
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA
Gates of Steel

Encore:
DEVO Corporate Anthem
Freedom of Choice
Gut Feeling (Slap Your Mammy)
Beautiful World

Take a gander at more photos of DEVO performing at The Lyric on June 10, 2026. All photos are copyright David LaMason: