Concert Report: Devo (Hard Rock Live)

By in Concerts

We typically don’t go out on Sunday nights but when we heard 80’s New Wave band Devo (USA) was in town, we knew we had to attend. The concert was taking place at Hard Rock Live inside Universal CityWalk.
Orlando was a stop on Devo’s 2026 “Mutate Don’t Stagnate” tour,
Around 8:10PM, there they were…..Devo! (We apologize for the photo quality as were not authorized to use our big camera for this concert.)
The band was founded in the late 70’s and three of the original members are still performing including lead vocalist and keyboardist Mark Mothersbaugh who is now age 76.
The liveliest of the original members is also the oldest. Gerald Casale just turned age 78 last month and he was bouncing all over the place last night!
On the right, original member Bob Mothersbaugh plays guitar and is a mere age 74. Newer member Josh Hagar on the far right is a spring chicken at age 56 and has been with the band since 2014.
Drummer Jeff Friedl stayed hidden behind his equipment for the most part.
The show had opened with 2009 song “Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)” before playing the 80’s New Wave songs they’re mostly known for including “Peek-a-Boo” (1982) and “Going Under” (1981).
Their signature Energy Dome hats appeared early in the program as did their biggest hits “Girl U Want” (1980) and “Whip It” (1980).
Hard Rock Live was packed to the rafters!
It was an older crowd overall, not unexpected, but a surprising number of younger people too who recognized this band’s famous catalog of hits.
We were tempted to purchase one of these hats too but the $60 price tag could be spent on better things (such as another cruise or something!)
Wardrobe change
So many memories in their 90 minute set.
They are no longer the nerds they once popularized. We’ve always given Devo credit (along with 1984 film “Revenge of the Nerds” for making nerds cool.
“Q: We Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” (1978)
“Freedom of Choice” (1980)
Near the end, Booji Boy came on stage for concluding song “Beautiful World” (1981).
Great show, fun show. A good time was had by all.