Phoenix, AZ—Devo played the first night of its “Mutate, Don’t Stagnate” tour at the Arizona Financial Theatre on April 12, 2026. It was a show filled with classic songs, mixed with video graphics, new and old. It was the Devo we know, and the Devo we need right now. The crowd reflected the diversity and creativity of the legendary niche new wave group; red hats and Devo costumes were plentiful, and in some cases, red hats were handmade by fans, young and experienced alike.
There wasn’t a show opener, and to be honest, I can’t think of anyone who could open for them adequately. Many a rock legend has cited Devo as a major influence, and picking a show opener would be a tough one. It took the crowd a few songs to warm up, but once “Whip It,” Devo’s most mainstream song, was well-placed in the setlist. It gave the crowd the injection it needed. Devo is so much more than that song, however, and the setlist was a fantastic reminder of what they have contributed to the music and video industries.
Created by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale in response to the 1970 Kent State University shootings and other critical issues at the time, Devo stands staunchly for independent thinking, counterculture, and rejection of herd mentality. Devo takes available technological capabilities and ratchets them to a whole new level in musical creativity with biting, sarcastic, reflective lyrics that call out humanity’s ineptitudes and lack of thinking and vision. The age of new wave music and video was born in the iconic hands of Devo.
Devo was true to itself in the Phoenix show. The band still moves and dances like it always has. The music was spot on, not a detectable misstep, and it sounded fantastic. During my time photographing at stage left, the bass and the beats erupting from the speakers pounded through me, and the drum and synth vibrations were amazing. The new video montages were fresh, stark, and entertaining; mixed with the embedded videos from previous years, they worked together beautifully to bring Devo to today’s audience. There were costume changes, and as the band changed, parts of the costumes were thrown out to the audience. Not to give it all away, but those close to the stage will have ample opportunity to walk away with memorabilia.
My favorite songs of the show were “Gates of Steel,” “Freedom of Choice,” and “Beautiful World.” “Gates of Steel”, released in 1980 and re-released in 2009, sounded as if they wrote and released it just this week. “Freedom of Choice” is a fantastic anthem about what we give up while believing we have as freedoms; it’s always been a favorite of mine musically and lyrically, and it was well done. “Beautiful World” is really the only perfect ending to a Devo concert, especially with the accompanying video montage, which starts with imagery of peaceful, beautiful things in our world and devolves into imagery of social injustices and catastrophes.
As I watched the show, listening to the music and the lyrics and watching the marriage of old and new video graphics, it was abundantly clear to me that Devo is still as relevant today as they have ever been. The age span of the audience, from very young Gen Alpha to the Boomer generation, proves there is still much love for this band. Perhaps one day we’ll see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame get its act together a fourth time and give Devo the recognition they so fully deserve. Without Devo, the 80s music scene would not have panned out the way it did.
Devo will play at the Van Buren for a second stop on their tour on April 13, 2026, 7 p.m. I think this show will be even better given the more intimate nature of the Van Buren, and I envy those who will attend.
Band Members: Mark Mothersbaugh (vocals/keyboards), Bob Mothersbaugh (guitar), Gerald Casale (bass/vocals), John Friedl (drums), and Josh Hager (rhythm guitar/synth)
Setlist:
