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DE-EVOLUTION TOUR
Live at Hollywood Bowl
October 29th, 2025 Review by Shane Pase
The Hollywood Bowl on a crisp October evening is pretty much perfect for anything, but when you throw in three acts that helped define the quirky side of new wave, you’ve got something special brewing. Saturday night’s show featuring Lene Lovich, DEVO, and the B-52s was exactly the kind of nostalgic celebration that reminds you why these bands mattered so much in the first place.
Before anyone even took the stage, DJ Cummerbund had the crowd buzzing with his wild mashups and remixes. The guy looked like he’d raided a costume shop, but his musical chaos was the perfect appetizer for what was coming.
Sometimes the right DJ can make or break the energy of a night, and Cummerbund definitely had people moving before the main acts even appeared.
Then came Lene Lovich, and wow! At 76 years old, she could teach most performers half her age a thing or two about stage presence. She started her set completely wrapped up in a massive turban and head scarf, singing through fabric with just her heavily made-up eyes visible and blazing with expression. When she finally unwrapped herself to reveal that wild hair we all remember, the crowd went nuts.
Lovich moved through classics like “Lucky Number” and “New Toy” with a voice that honestly hasn’t lost a step. The real surprise came when she pulled out a saxophone during one song and absolutely crushed it.
Her set was tight, fun, and showed why she’s still a force to be reckoned with. Between her energy and DEVO’s performance later, she was definitely in the running for best set of the night.
Speaking of DEVO, holy cow. I hadn’t seen these guys in years and Mark Mothersbaugh and the gang are still the same brilliant weirdos they’ve always been. Their show proved that some things really do get better with age.
The visuals were pure DEVO – clips from their old films and videos flashing on screens while the band cycled through their iconic outfits. The yellow jumpsuits and red energy dome hats made their appearance, of course, and the crowd ate it up. Mothersbaugh’s voice sounded incredible, and his stage presence was as commanding as ever. The rest of the band was locked in tight, delivering these songs with the same precision and controlled chaos that made them famous.
The extended version of “Jocko Homo” was a real highlight. Mothersbaugh jumped into the crowd and had everyone chanting “We are DEVO!” back at him.
Watching 60-year-olds sprint down the Bowl’s aisles trying to get their turn at the mic was pretty hilarious and heartwarming at the same time.
It was a real highlight of the show and something I love to see bands do. Nothing like breaking down that barrier of the stage edge and bands truly communing with their fans.
Their setlist mixed the hits you’d expect with some deeper cuts that were genuine surprises. “Peek-A-Boo!” and “Mongoloid” aren’t songs you hear every day, and hearing them live was a real treat.
The whole thing was so good that I broke my own rule about not listening to a band’s music on the day you’re seeing them live. Sometimes you just can’t help yourself.
B-52s closed out the night as headliners, though they switched spots with DEVO for Sunday’s show. Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson, and Kate Pierson still bring solid energy to the stage, even if the massive beehive wigs are replaced by more modern long hair – but the spirit is definitely still there.
Schneider stuck with his classic suit look while Pierson wore a sparkly outfit that kept the old-school B-52s’ vibe alive. They opened with a fun pre-show video montage of clips and highlights from their career, which was a nice touch that got everyone in the right headspace. It was actually a really impressive mashup.
The setlist reached pretty deep into their catalog, which was cool to see. “Mesopotamia” and “Strobe Light” aren’t exactly radio staples, but they sounded fantastic live. It was really cool to see them play “Strobe Light” with obligatory strobe lights flashing from the stage.
They even debuted “Deadbeat Club” for this show, which felt special. “Dance This Mess Around” and “Private Idaho” were probably the most fun to watch, with the crowd really getting into it.
Interestingly, they changed up the various dances described in “Dance This Mess Around” with all different dances.
Of course, “Love Shack” and “Rock Lobster” brought the house down like they always do. These songs are just built for big crowds, and the Bowl’s acoustics made them sound huge. It was the perfect way to end the show.
The whole evening felt like a celebration of an era when being weird was not only okay but encouraged. All three acts represented different flavors of that late ‘70s and early ‘80s new wave scene, and seeing them together reminded us how creative and fun that time was.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Shane Pase Photography
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SID 251031 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
