Phoenix Devo concert was a feast for the eyes and ears

In the years Devo has been part of the American lexicon, the iconic band name has taken on multiple meanings. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, if you were called “Devo,” it meant you were into new wave or punk rock and the mainstream kids thought you were weird and/or dressed oddly. On Sunday night in Phoenix, the word “Devo” was also a feeling. 

Several people in the early arriving crowd at Arizona Financial Theatre were overheard answering the question, “How are you?” with something like this: “You know, Devo” or, in one case, “It’s fucking Devo, man.”

I have to say that the crowd at this show (as Devo plays again tonight at the Van Buren) was one of the most obviously devo-ted fanbases I have seen in a long time. There were people dressed like Devo bandmembers, characters from one of their many videos and more energy dome helmets than you could shake a stick at. For Devo fans, it was communion. 

Devo’s “Mutate Don’t Stagnate” tour rolled into town fresh off a reportedly well-received if somewhat misunderstood performance at the uber-expensive Coachella Music Festival. Many music fans know the band’s classic song, “Whip It,” for example, which was the sixth song of the set on Sunday, but don’t understand that Devo has always been on a mission to open people’s eyes and ears to concepts like choice, empowering yourself and others and taking a highly skeptical look at the world around us. 

After a somewhat sedate start, which was kicked off by a humorous video featuring the fictitious record company executive Rod Rooter, it took a while for much of the crowd to get going. All of the music was accompanied by an expertly curated video screen, and opening song, “Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)” off of “Something for Everybody” was not exactly warmly received, but it did come in clear and strong, showing the band was ready to rock. 

“Peek-A-Boo!” was up next and had some great images from early in Devo’s career while mixing in images from the original MTV video, but a lot of the crowd was still sitting in their seats. It could have been the sticker shock from high prices at the merch table ($70 for an energy dome hat?!) but you can’t blame the guys in Devo for grabbing a little cash while they still can. The merch was high quality, for sure, and there was a lot to choose from. 

A relatively sedate version of “Going Under” followed “Peek-A-Boo!” but the band started kicking things up a notch with “That’s Good” right into “Girl U Want” and then the aforementioned “Whip It.” The crowd woke up when “Girl U Want” got going and stayed pretty active for the rest of the show. 

Let’s be honest, too. This was not a young crowd. There were plenty of young people in the audience, for sure, but the majority of people at the concert were eligible for AARP. As a card-carrying member myself, I was proud to let my Devo flag fly on Sunday night, but I was also happy when the show was done by 9:30.

After “Whip It,” Gerald Casale sang “Planet Earth” off “Freedom of Choice” (which was the most represented record in the 16-song set) and sounded great in doing so. Both he and Mark Mothersbaugh, as well as the backing vocals from Bob Mothersbaugh, sounded really good. You wouldn’t know these guys were all in their mid-to-late 70s by listening to them. They look pretty darn good, too, for that matter. 

There were the expected uniforms and costume changes during the set, too. Devo has always been a visual band, and between the uniforms/costumes, the lights and the video screen, there was no shortage of eye candy for the concert-goers. 

There was a short video interlude after “Planet Earth” with the band leaving the stage before they came back and launched into a powerful version of “Uncontrollable Urge,” which was one of the four tracks played off of “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” This song had Casale grabbing his bass and playing the shit out of it for the rest of the show. 

All the guys, including touring drummer Jeff Friedl (who absolutely rips) and keyboardist/guitar player Josh Hager, played really well. You can tell they’ve been on the road for a bit and they are firing on all cylinders. 

The post-punky “Uncontrollable Urge” gave way to “Blockhead” and that was played right into the classic “Mongoloid.” The crowd was eating it up and the band seemed to be eating up the crowd, too. 

“Jocko Homo” was up next, and it was a particularly great version of the 1978 song. Devo then went back to “Duty Now for the Future” for “Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA” which sounded great, as well. Lead guitar player Bob Mothersbaugh ripped a particularly great solo off here and got a look of brotherly admiration from Mark while doing so. After years of acting as if they didn’t have feelings, it was a lovely, human moment to see the band so full of love.

“Gates of Steel” closed this portion of the set and I couldn’t help but wonder why more people weren’t going crazy for this iconic song. Some people danced their asses off the whole time, but a lot of the crowd took the opportunity to sit down back down. Perhaps this was just Phoenix on a Sunday night or the age of the crowd really showing itself. “Gates of Steel” sounded great, though. 

After another short video interlude that wound its way to the Devo Corporate Anthem, the band played a rousing rendition of “Freedom of Choice,” and the majority of the people were back up and dancing again. 

My personal favorite Devo song, “Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy” was up next and I got goosebumps when the first few bars of guitar were played. I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear that song live as played by Devo itself and I was not disappointed. It was a highlight, for sure, and Devo really seemed to be enjoying the hell out of playing the song, too. This was another part of the set where I really noticed how good Friedl is on drums. 

The final song of the evening was an extended version of “Beautiful World” complete with an appearance by Booji Boy himself. It was just the spectacle that everyone needed to cap off an excellent set. The video montage during “Beautiful World” was really amazing, too, with lots of contrasting imagery that showed it is a beautiful world, but not for everyone. 

Devo continues to walk the walk and talk the talk in 2026. I wish more people fully appreciated this incredible band. They probably do, of course, and we’ll see how things shake out tonight at the Van Buren. I highly recommend you figure out a way to get to the show if you don’t already have a ticket … because, well, Devo.