If someone would have told me that the most anticipated concert of the summer would be a band that hasn’t played here since 1988, just released their first album in 14 years, and performs in identical costumes, I would have thought that person was insane. But when Devo’s show at the Minnesota Zoo (yes, the Zoo) was announced in the spring it seems like everyone in town wanted tickets, was speculating on how to get tickets, was on Facebook and Twitter talking about their tickets.
Yeah, Devo. In 2010. Go figure!
I was dubious. I’d seen them play Met Center (Bloomington, MN) back in 1981. I don’t remember much about the show really. I was 15 years-old and I hung out with friends and danced. Was it important or iconic? I don’t know. I was a 15-year-old punk rock kid, what did I care? However, in 2010 I wondered if they were still relevant. Would it be a nostalgia show? I was reluctant, to say the least.
Well, they are still relevant. Say what you will about focus groups to select the songs for the album or the color of the energy domes (this years color is blue), but it’s hard to argue with the concept of devolution when you look at where we were in the ’70’s and today. Additionally, the costume changes – the final one necessary because of the extreme heat and humidity – were a visual shift from old to new. For example, the bright yellow contamination suits, a throw back to their ’80’s look, were a poignant reminder of the cleanup going on in the Gulf of Mexico.
Musically relevant too. Perhaps surprisingly the old stuff holds up well and meshes with the new material rather seamlessly. This was their first show of the tour, but the 75 minute set went flawlessly. The band and particularly Jerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh were energetic and appeared to be enjoying themselves. Mothersbaugh was in near constant motion throughout the show.
There was very limited stage patter until Booji Boy made his appearance for their final song to sing “Beautiful World”. He commented that it was the first time Devo had played a zoo and ask for the audience to liberate the zoo animals, “I want you to each liberate one animal. Birds will be easy. Let the giraffes in Minnesota live free. If those animals could talk, you know what they’d say: ‘It’s a beautiful world.’”
Set list:
Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)
Peek a Boo
What We Do
Going Under
Fresh
That’s Good
Girl U Want
Whip It
Planet Earth
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Secret Agent Man
Uncontrollable Urge
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA
Gates of Steel
Encore:
Freedom of Choice
Beautiful World
