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Devo Made Their Long Awaited Return To Ohio,
And Fans Rejoiced

May 12, 2025

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After a seventeen year absence, Devo finally returned to Northeastern Ohio to play a nearly sold-out show at Temple Live Cleveland last night.

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Three original members all hailing from Akron, Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale brought along Jeff Friedl and Josh Hager to bring the quirky, original sounds of Devo to life.

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The band came out all dressed in matching black suits and opened the show with "Don't Shoot (I'm A Man)" from 2010's Something For Everybody.

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The large backing screen showed videos of the band from earlier in their careers as well as great graphics and images which really enhanced each song.

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Banter between the band and the audience was kept to a minimum as the group went from one song to the next.  Before playing "Girl U Want," all members donned their iconic red energy domes.  

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During their biggest hit, "Whip It" Mark Mothersbaugh grabbed about a half dozen energy domes and threw them out into the audience  like frisbees.  What a great souvenir as those same energy domes were being sold at the merch stand for $60!

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After a brief video about how small planet Earth is compared to the rest of the universe and how lucky we are to be on Earth the same time as Devo, the band came back on stage but this time in their yellow jumpsuits.

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The then launched into their cover of The Rolling Stones "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" which segued into a great version of "Super Agent Man." 

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During "Uncontrollable Urge" Mark Mothersbaugh went around to each band member and started tearing pieces of their jumpsuits and throwing them into the audience.

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After the song, the band ditched the jumpsuits totally that revealed they were wearing black t-shirts with "DEVO" emblazoned on the in silver letters to go along with their black shorts and knee-high black socks.

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"Jocko Homo," "Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA" and a rockin' version of "Gates of Steel" ended the first set.

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Another short video was played and the band returned to encore with "Freedom of Choice," "Gut Feeling (Slap Your Mammy)" and "Beautiful World" which featured Mark performing as Booji Boy.

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It was a great reunion for all the spuds in the audience.  

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It was also a great way to celebrate Mothersbaugh Day!

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The only negative to the whole evening was the line to get into the venue.  I got in line at 7:20, which was wrapped half way around the entire facility.  Luckily they put a 15-20 minute hold before the band began performing which allowed most people to get into the venue and to their seats.  There has to be a more efficient way to get people into the venue.  

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Review by Greg Drugan

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Photos by Dave Whitman

 

 

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