great on all fronts except one . . .
by pcax on 11/8/09The Regency Ballroom - San FranciscoRating: 4 out of 5show was fantastic, great performances, great sound, great energy, and great songs. only one complaint---too short!

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DEVO on Tour
Often misunderstood, but nevertheless iconic, new-wave synth band DEVO is back for their 2022 tour, marking their first tour across the United States in eight years. Known best for the smash hit "Whip It" (1980), the Akron, Ohio, band is slated to hit four cities across the country. The band has released 11 studio albums, with their debut, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are DEVO! coming from Warner Bros label in 1978. They would go on to release five albums in the next five years; however, none were able to capture a mainstream audience like their debut. "Whip It" reached as high as No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the accompanying music video was received as a culture shock to the system, sending waves through the MTV generation, which elevated the band's fame. DEVO is heralded by their fans for concert performances that deliver high energy, alluring visual effects and innovative music from decades ago that still feels fresh.
DEVO in Concert
Musicians Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh were friends at Kent State University in the 1970s. The art majors, and another acquaintance, Bob Lewis, who was band-member-turned-manager became friends through a similar dark social humor that was often unconventional and offbeat. They agreed on a philosophy that society had actually been undergoing a "de-evolution" that rejected individuality or quirkiness. Thus, the robo-rhythmic group DEVO was born in the late 1970s, and with it a genre of new wave techno-pop. The group had their breakthrough with the film score for the local short, The Truth About De-Evolution, winning First Prize at the 1976 Ann Arbor Film Festival. In attendance at the festival were David Bowie and Iggy Pop, who helped DEVO secure a label contract with Warner Bros. Although their debut album caught on as an underground success, the group was also met with pushback. Some saw the band's non-conformist style as threatening. Rolling Stone magazine even labeled the group as fascists in an initial review of the album. Despite this, their third album, Freedom of Choice, and its premier single "Whip It" catapulted the group into the forefront of pop music as it was one of the most successful singles of 1980.
show was fantastic, great performances, great sound, great energy, and great songs. only one complaint---too short!
There were some highlights, but overall Devo didn't seem particularly interested or excited to be there. They were just going through the motions, and it showed. Booji Boy's soliloquy was painful. I was really looking forward to the show but it ended up being a letdown. They've said that the purpose of this tour is to be done with the old music, and that they'll be back next year with a new sound and new look. It would be great if they stopped going for nostalgia, and instead tried a new interpretation of devolution. Perhaps they'll actually be excited about the new stuff, and will get into those shows a little more. I hope so.
Awesome show! They sounds great, loved the videos in the beginning. they looked great. My only complaint would be that they only played for an hour, not much for a $50 ticket, and they didn't really ever say anything to the audience, which was kinda weird. Overall though, a fabulous show.
They put on a great show on Saturday night at the Regency in the best City in the nation. Like always, we always wanted more.
I'm not a big Devo fan, previously only familiar with the song Whip It!, but when a friend asked if I wanted to go to this show, I thought it'd be cool. Even though I didn't know most of the album, the music was simply infectious! So easy to dance to, and I really enjoyed the majority of songs on the album, which I plan to buy.
Following a video show of 3 MTV clips from the Freedom of Choice LP, the Band started playing live at 10:04 and finished live at 10:57, including an encore break. 53 min - and that's generous. Decent setlist, nice to hear songs I have not heard in a while, but to charge what they did for less than an hour is insulting. My 5th Devo show, probably the last.
Let me just say I was really looking forward to seeing Devo play this last Friday at the Regency Ballroom. After the terrible opening act, Devo only came on to play for just a little over an hour. While the performance was good, they could of played for longer, like the average concert playing time of 1.5 to 2 hrs.
Not a huge Devo fan, but I had a really good time!
What they played sounded great, but the concert was way too short. I feel ripped off.
Devo may have added a few gray hairs and a couple pounds, but their music came through as fresh as ever on Friday at the Regency. They were loud, energetic and fun. The crowd was swept up in the wave and the show was electric.
There was no let up in this show. From Uncontrollable Urge to Gates of Steel they cranked it up. Yes they're old and I can see why the show is only an hour or so long. You don't see Devo live for the singing but you definitely have fun.
Close and personal, Sound Was Good . This Was The 2nd Time I've Seen Devo (1st being about 15 years ago) And They Were Amazing Both Times.
Akron's favorite sons rocked a full house at The Regency Ballroom on Friday, November 9, 2009. The band performed its ground breaking first album in its entirety at this special show. DEVO fired up the crowd from the start with a super charged version of "Uncontrollable Urge" and never let up. The crowd was enrapt as rarely performed songs like: "Too Much Paranoias", "Praying Hands", and "Space Junk" filled the air. I have seen DEVO perform a dozen times over 30 years and I have never seen them perform with more vigor. Their yellow radiation suit may fit a little tighter in the mid-section and there may be some gray hair beneath their red energy dome hats, but the spirit of de-evolution can never be silenced. Duty Now, DEVO. Duty Now!
I really enjoyed seeing Devo at the "The Music Box". The show was amazing! And all the employe's were so organized. I will definitly see a show there again.
This was a great concert at a perfect theatre. The sound quality was supurb and made it sooo enjoyable. Devo had the crowd dancing all nite and brought back many great times enjoying their music. ty Devo!!
On of the things I've always admired about DEVO is how tight and crisp they are live. As soon as they walked out on stage it was ready, set, DEVO!! They blazed through the listed set and fired off half a dozen additional songs on an encore that covered much of their first few albums. If you've never seen DEVO live, but enjoy their music, they are well worth the price. If you are a hardcore fan like me, you don't need a review. It's ready, set, DEVO!!
Great show! The sound was very faithful to the album and was nice to be able to see this show 30 years after the fact. Good things DO come to those who wait!
It is very rare that a band will perform all the songs and the right order from one of their albums.
This was the first night of the two concert set, it was AWESOME! Can't wait for the second evening tonight! Mark, Jerry, Bob, Bob and Josh were great! The energy the exude is incredible! And the Regency Ballroom is the perfect place for these events!
Great show. I like how lots of bands are doing entire albums now - it's a good idea.