DEVO Launches U.S. Portion Of ’50 Years of De-Evolution’ Farewell Tour In Santa Cruz (RECAP)

DEVO has achieved one of the most coveted prizes in all of music, longevity. After 50 years of crafting mind-altering LPs, the band has been celebrating in more ways than one. Along with compiling some of their best tracks for a career-defining anthology, DEVO has been touring the world on their “50 Years of De-Evolution” farewell tour. Last night (November 2), the band finally brought their show to the States as DEVO took over Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium for their first stop in the U.S. DEVO pieced together a setlist that explored every corner of their storied career while continuing to surprise fans with special treats throughout the night.

DEVO’s show started off exactly how you would imagine, with a stirring rendition of “Don’t Shoot (I’m A Man)” from Something for Everybody LP. That was the only song performed from that album but luckily, the band spent their time with some classics. The band performed plenty of tracks from their 1980 Freedom of Choice LP, pulling out tracks like “Gates of Steel”, “Girl U Want”, and the forever classic “Whip It”. DEVO also focused heavily on their classic debut album with songs like “Mongoloid” and “Uncontrollable Urge” making an appearance. They also switched things up with covers of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones and “Secret Agent Man” by P.F. Sloan. They wrapped up the night with a three-song encore that included “Freedom of Choice”, “Gut Feeling (Slap Your Mammy)” and “Beautiful World”.

DEVO is just getting started here in the States. The band will tour primarily on the West Coast with stops in Portland, San Francisco, and Huntington Beach. Check out the full list of dates, setlist, and footage from last night’s performance below.