Devo and The B-52s brought their joint 'Cosmic De-Evolution' tour to Manchester's AO Arena on 22 June 2026, offering what may be a final chance to see both iconic new wave bands live. The tour also features support from Rezillos and Lene Lovich, creating a lineup that celebrates the fun end of punk and new wave from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Devo Headlines with Energetic Set
Devo took top billing in Manchester, though the question of which band would close the show was apparently settled by prior agreement. The band, fronted by three original members—Mark Mothersbaugh (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Gerald Casale (vocals, bass, keyboards), and Bob Mothersbaugh (guitar, vocals)—delivered a performance that reviewer Roland Gent described as having 'the better show' compared to The B-52s' party tunes.
Despite launching their '50 Years of De-Evolution' tour in 2023, which was billed as their last ever UK date, Devo returned with this tour. Their set included three costume changes: starting in all black with a synth-heavy sound, switching to their trademark red 'energy dome' hats, then into yellow jumpsuits for a punkier segment, and finally black space-themed outfits for the encores.
Setlist Highlights
Devo opened with 'Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)' and performed hits including 'Peek-a-Boo', 'Girl U Want', and 'Whip It' midway through the set. After the first costume change, they played 'Uncontrollable Urge', 'Mongoloid', and a rousing 'Are We Not Men? (We Are Devo)' with accompanying video projections reinforcing their concept of human de-evolution.
The B-52s followed, performing for the first time in the UK since 2019. The band still includes original co-founders Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson. Despite no new album to promote, the tour's tagline 'One last orbit (maybe?)' suggests this could be a farewell. Pierson's vocals on opener 'Planet Claire' were noted as still impressive, hitting high notes reminiscent of science fiction themes.
B-52s Deliver Classics
The B-52s set included classics such as 'Mesopotamia', 'Give Me Back My Man', '6060-842', 'Roam', 'Love Shack', and 'Rock Lobster', the latter featuring a large flashing lobster on stage. A quirky film show accompanied the performance, highlighting the band's history and music videos.
Reviewer Roland Gent concluded that the gig was 'fun city' for fans of day-glo aesthetics, science fiction, electronica, and dancing. The concert offered a nostalgic trip for those who appreciated the lighter side of punk and new wave.
