Photos: Devo whip the Palace Theatre into shape

November 17, 2025

Devo performing at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Tony Nelson for MPR

The provocative Ohio post-punk group Devo wrapped up their 50 Years of De-Evolution…Continued! tour in St. Paul on Saturday, Nov. 15. At just over an hour, the Palace Theatre set was lean, but the band kept things tight and energetic. Again and again, the audience — many of whom wore Devo-themed costumes — rewarded the band’s commitment onstage.

Following the 2024 release of Devo, the documentary distributed at festivals and now streaming on Netflix, this performance felt like a victory lap. The career-spanning set was accompanied by a constant flow of impeccably produced video clips to amp up a baker’s dozen of songs showcasing Devo’s subversive best.

A trio of classic members — vocalist/keyboardist Mark Mothersbaugh, keyboardist/bassist/vocalist Gerald Casale, and guitarist Bob “Bob 1” Mothersbaugh — had support from drummer Jeff Friedl and guitarist/keyboardist Josh Hager. They danced, whipped, and boomed through several costume changes throughout the evening — yellow suits, black workout gear, and the red energy domes — to reflect different eras of the band.

Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh handled lead vocals with vigor, and added just enough crowd work to keep things constantly in motion. For the finale, the baffling Booji Boy (Mark in a mask and shiny overstuffed suit) made an appearance to send everyone home with an extended version of “Beautiful World.”

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