THE B-52S + DEVO + THE REZILLOS + LENE LOVICH – O2 ARENA, LONDON 20.6.26
Two of the most distinctive and influential forces in New Wave and alternative culture, The B-52s and DEVO, are tonight at The O2 Arena in London performing the first of two unmissable UK co-headline shows.
I can recall visiting the Millennium Dome (as it was then known) back in 2000 and thoroughly enjoying the major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium. When it first opened in 1999 it was the fifth largest building in the world by usable volume. Around 10 years ago, I returned to the site, but didn’t actually enter the venue but climbed across The O2 Arena’s roof, which took me 52 metres above ground level. I was accompanied by an expert guide and enjoyed the breath-taking views of London’s 360-degree skyline and other landmarks up to 15 miles away. It was another exciting experience!
The O2 Arena is certainly on many folks’ radar as by 2023 it was the third busiest music arena in the world in terms of ticket sales, and it has the third-highest seating capacity of any indoor venue in the United Kingdom, coming in at 20,000, although I must say, once inside and seeing everyone seated, it does look more than this due to the upper vertigo-inducing tiers! Tonight is my first concert experience here and I’ve been looking forward to this for some time now.
Tomorrow The B-52s and DEVO head off to Manchester’s AO Arena, which is the second largest indoor arena in the UK with a 23,000 capacity, which is narrowly behind Co-op Live which sited in the Etihad Campus next to the City of Manchester Stadium. This opened on 14th May 2024 and can accommodate 23,500 attendees.
These UK shows are on The B-52s and DEVO’s’ critically acclaimed ‘Cosmic De-Evolution’ tour, which recently took to the US and Canada. Both bands had previously embarked on farewell runs in the early 2020s, but their North American shows reignited demand from fans across the globe.
These two UK dates are first performances on these shores by The B-52s since 2019. Led by original co-founders Fred Schneider III, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson, the band have continued to captivate audiences with shows built around their colourful, danceable and era-defining catalogue. They remain one of the most iconic and influential American bands of the last four decades.
This renewed energy mirrors that of DEVO, fronted by original members Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale and Bob Mothersbaugh. In 2023, the New Wave provocateurs launched their 50 Years of ‘De-Evolution’ tour alongside a career-spanning compilation album, reigniting global interest in their innovative fusion of art rock, synth pop and punk.
Completing the bill are Scottish punk legends The Rezillos, whose cult status was forged through their Top 10 debut album ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’ and a string of underground classics. Known for their high energy blend of 60’s garage rock attitude, off kilter pop sensibility and technicolour punk theatricality, The Rezillos bring their explosive live show to the proceedings.
Opening up the event on both dates is the iconic Lene Lovich, a beloved figure of New Wave whose theatrical, avant-pop style and cult classics have left an enduring imprint on alternative music.
We arrived in plenty of time as there were no delays on the train or tube. We collected our tickets and headed inside. The place is buzzing and anticipation is high, just like some of the stands! Before we know it, Lene Lovich (lead vocals, saxophone) and her band comprised of Sarah Fisher (keys, backing vocals), Stan Greenwood (guitar, backing vocals), Val Gwyther (bass, backing vocals) and Morgan King (drums, backing vocals) are on the vast stage and kick things off at 6:39pm with ‘Savages’ which is from 1981’s ‘New Toy’ EP and also 1982’s ‘No Man’s Land’ album. This comes as a surprise as this tune didn’t even feature in Lene’s 16 tune set that she performed in Brighton at The Prince Albert on 24th May last year.
Lene certainly cuts a striking figure with headwear that is something akin to a King Charles II wig and then some. The outer headgear gets ditched for tune two, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, which is found on 1978’s ‘Stateless’ album. Detroit-born Lili Marlene Premilovich gives off an aura of being an eccentric soul, and has been referred to as “Queen of Quirk”, and I’m sure this 77 year old artist wouldn’t have it any other way! Selection three is the Thomas Dolby penned ‘New Toy’, which is from 1981’s ‘New Toy’ EP. The tune also re-appeared on 1991’s US reissue of 1980 ‘Flex’ album. Thomas at the time was Lene’s keyboardist, and I can recall enjoying her performance of the tune on Dolby’s ‘Live Wireless’ show on Betamax video. I was at the very front of the queue when I saw Dolby play it at an intimate show at the Marquee in London on either Monday 22nd or 29th November 1982, but sadly I don’t recall if Lene came on or not.
During the performance, Lene doesn’t just offer up vocals, she also gets out her saxophone which is well received by the audience. ‘Joan’ from her 1980 ‘Flex’ album is up next and followed by her best known composition, namely UK No.3 hit single ‘Lucky Number’, which was culled from her 1978 ‘Stateless’ album. Suffice to say, there was much “Ah! Oh! Ah! Oh!”ing throughout the arena, with many mobile phones recording the moment for posterity. Before we knew it, her all too brief 23 minute set had come to a close with the arrival of ‘Home’ which is also on her ‘Stateless’ album. And at 7:02pm that was our lot! It honestly felt far too short a performance, but worry not Lene Lovich fans as Lene has just announced 9 intimate concert dates in October and November, where she will be thrilling fans in Nottingham, Bristol, London, Brighton, Sheffield, York, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester. The Brighton gig is happening at The Prince Albert on Sunday 25th October. Tickets for all 9 gigs are on sale now from HERE.
Lene Lovich:
Lene Lovich – lead vocals, saxophone
Sarah Fisher – keys, backing vocals
Stan Greenwood – guitar, backing vocals
Morgan King – drums, backing vocals
Val Gwyther – bass, backing vocals
Lene Lovich setlist:
‘Savages’ (from 1981 ‘New Toy’ EP & 1982 ‘No Man’s Land’ album)
‘Sleeping Beauty’ (from 1978 ‘Stateless’ album)
‘New Toy’ (from 1981 ‘New Toy’ EP & 1991 US reissue of 1980 ‘Flex’ album)
‘Joan’ (from 1980 ‘Flex’ album)
‘Lucky Number’ (from 1978 ‘Stateless’ album)
‘Home’ (from 1978 ‘Stateless’ album)
A mere 18 minutes after Lene Lovich and her band vacated the O2 stage, the live music was back in action with the arrival of The Rezillos who are in action for 32 minutes from 7:20pm until 7:52pm. During this period we are rewarded with 9 or 10 choice cuts from the band, which tonight comprises Fay Fife (vocals and keyboards), Eugene Reynolds (vocals), Phil Thompson (guitar and backing vocals), Chris Agnew (bass), Angel Paterson (drums), and Martin Metcalfe (guitar), who is there I guess in order to free up Eugene to concentrate on his vocal duties.
With a “Hello London” they kick off with ‘Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight’ which is found on their 1978 ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’ album. Unlikely as it might sound, this tune was originally released by a mysterious act called Earl Vince and the Valiants which in reality was actually Fleetwood Mac performing under a different name. The song was composed and sung by Jeremy Spencer and it was the original B-side of their 1969 ‘Man Of The World’ single.
I must say that this evening’s version is bang on the money and I’m even more impressed with their giant backdrop which is full of images of the band down the years. This really adds to the enjoyment and hones in the band’s retro 60’s sci-fi ethos. The Rezillos then immediately segue straight into ‘Flying Saucer Attack’ from 1978’s ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’ album, and this had flying saucers in the accompanying film. They are sounding great and are giving the vibes of seriously being up for it. Their 1978 ‘Destination Venus’ single is selection three, and I can remember first witnessing this track being played live at Brighton Dome on 11th December 1981, when it was the closing number on The Human League’s ‘Dare’ tour. This was on account of Jo Callis moving from The Rezillos to The Human League. Fay’s vocals are seriously being belted out here, so much so in order to fill the whole room and in fact she does so throughout the whole set.
We are then informed that they will now be playing a newbie, which has the title of ‘Curse Of The Pretty Man’. This I note was on a white label single back in 2024 and will almost certainly be included on their forthcoming ‘Psycho Tornado’ album, which is currently set to drop in September, although I can’t find any trace of its tracklisting at present. The guitar riff within this should keep fans of the Sex Pistols ‘Pretty Vacant’ more than happy. Another new tune follows, this being ‘Cranium’ which also was a white label single in 2024, and no doubt will appear on ‘Psycho Tornado’, which was produced by Martin Metcalfe and it can be pre-ordered HERE. These two new compositions sit perfectly within their 1978 to 1980 tunes, so fair do’s to them for not losing their edge.
The Revillos are then mentioned, which is what The Rezillos became for a few years and during that period they released ‘Motorbike Beat’, which was a 1980 single, and that’s up next. It sounds fabulous! We are then addressed again and the nostalgia trip switches to the other side of the pond and CBGB’s is flagged and the big names that came out of there: Blondie, Talking Heads, Ramones etc. This leads nicely into another recently penned track, and this is called ‘Peppermint Lounge’ which no doubt is named after the famed New York club of the same name. From here they realized that they had to tweak their set due to timings and performed a tune which sounded not too far off The B-52s to me. I don’t believe it was listed on their setlist and as far as I could tell a line in the tune said “Do what I like”, and I’m going to have a punt it was ‘Edge Of Delight’ probably on forthcoming 2026 ‘Psycho Tornado’ album.
Their classic ‘Top Of The Pops’ from 1978’s ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’ album was their penultimate selection and on the giant screen behind the band played their actual ‘Top Of The Pops’ performance of the tune from back in the day, which rekindled happy memories. The final closing number was apparently listed as ‘I Can’t Stand My Baby’, which is also from ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’, however on my notes I have written ‘(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures’ which is on the same record. Whatever the confusion, I must flag that The Rezillos were seriously hot, and I reckon this was the best gig of theirs I’ve witnessed down the years!
Like Lene Lovich, The Rezillos have announced a forthcoming Sussex concert. This time the band will be heading to The Piper, at 1 Norman Road, St. Leonards-on Sea, TN37 6NH on Saturday 13th February 2027. Pre-sale to The Piper mailing list are available on Thursday 25th June, and general sale tickets can be bought on Friday 26th June. Find yours HERE.
The Rezillos:
Fay Fife – vocals and keyboards
Eugene Reynolds – vocals and guitar
Phil Thompson – guitar and backing vocals
Chris Agnew – bass
Angel Paterson – drums
Martin Metcalfe – guitar
The Rezillos setlist:
‘Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight’ (Fleetwood Mac cover – from 1978 ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’ album)
‘Flying Saucer Attack’ (from 1978 ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’ album)
‘Destination Venus’ (a 1978 single)
‘Curse Of The Pretty Man’ (a 2024 white label single & probably on forthcoming 2026 ‘Psycho Tornado’ album)
‘Cranium’ (a 2024 white label single & probably on forthcoming 2026 ‘Psycho Tornado’ album)
‘Motorbike Beat’ (a 1980 Revillos single)
‘Peppermint Lounge’ (probably on forthcoming 2026 ‘Psycho Tornado’ album)
‘Edge Of Delight’ (probably on forthcoming 2026 ‘Psycho Tornado’ album)
‘Top Of The Pops’ (from 1978 ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’ album)
‘(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures’ or ‘I Can’t Stand My Baby’ (from 1978 ‘Can’t Stand The Rezillos’ album)
The time has finally come for me to catch DEVO live in the flesh, having initially been absolutely stunned by watching ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ on 28th March 1978, when Boring Bob Dinosaur introduced the legendary eccentric ‘Jacko Homo’ video. I had never witnessed anything like this in my life before, and no wonder it’s now widely regarded as an iconic piece of 1970s new-wave television.
DEVO formed in Akron, Ohio in 1973 and the current lineup features Gerald Casale (lead and backing vocals, bass, keyboards 1973–1991, 1996–present), Mark Mothersbaugh (lead and backing vocals, keyboards, occasional guitar 1973–1991, 1996–present), Bob Mothersbaugh (lead guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals 1974–1991, 1996–present), Josh Freese (drums, percussion 1996–present) and Josh Hager (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals 2014–present), and as far as I can tell the spud boys are all present and correct for this evening’s 65 minute 15 tune set, which commenced at 8:10pm with an enjoyable backing film of DEVO back in the day.
The quintet graced us with their presence at 8:16pm and their initial format was three keyboards, guitar and drums, as they kick off with ‘Don’t Shoot (I’m A Man)’ which is found on their 2010 ‘Something For Everybody’ album. The standout lines for me being “But wishin’ is for chumps, high hopin’ is for fools”, and this is the only “modern” cut in the whole set, with all the other material consisting of classic material from their 1978 to 1982 period. The first of two cuts from 1982’s ‘Oh, No! It’s Devo’ album is next, this being the solid sounding ‘Peek-A-Boo!’, and is followed by the heavy bass synth intro of 1981’s ‘Going Under’, which is from their ‘New Traditionalists’ album. The fantastic chugging beats of ‘That’s Good’ signals the second and final cut from 1982’s ‘Oh, No! It’s Devo’ album, with the opening lines “Everybody, it’s a good thing; Everybody wants a good thing” and the beats reminding me of Tubeway Army’s ‘We Are So Fragile’.
It’s time for a trio of cuts from 1980’s ‘Freedom Of Choice’ album, with the first of these being ‘Girl U Want’ and the DEVO trademark red hats are donned by the band. They refer to these as “Energy Domes” and their music energy levels are heading through the roof! These early tunes are far more electronic than I had remembered and I’m certainly not complaining. The synthy vibes continue with the arrival of their breakthrough US Top 20 ‘Whip It’ hit single which eventually made the Yanks fully aware of heavily synthesized music as it got picked up by the mainstream audience, and thus becoming a cornerstone of the development of new wave music in the early 1980’s. During the tune Mark Mothersbaugh offloaded a number of red “Energy Domes” into the front of the audience – the ultimate DEVO souvenir! Lead vocal duties are switched for ‘Planet Earth’, the third of the trio in a row from ‘Freedom Of Choice’, and no it’s not a Duran Duran cover.
The band then vacate the stage as another video plays out across the giant screen. This references The Milky Way and Planet Earth. After this the band return and they are all dressed in bright yellow plastic suits this time, with guitars and bass taking over from the keyboards. They now have a feel of a different outfit, such is their versatility. The clock has been wound back to 1978 and the first from their debut ‘Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!’ long player is unleashed, this being the punky ‘Uncontrollable Urge’. ‘Blockhead’ from 1979’s ‘Duty Now For The Future’ album is up next and followed by an excellent bass guitar intro on ‘Mongoloid’ from ‘Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!’. They stick with the same album as they offload the seriously out there ‘Jocko Homo’, which witnesses the band ditching their bright yellow plastic jumpsuits half way through. Although Mark Mothersbaugh had long partly destroyed his in a showing of punk defiance. Suffice to say ‘Jocko Homo’ was epic!
The heavy rockin’ ‘Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA’ from 1979’s ‘Duty Now For The Future’ record is delivered with aplomb and Josh Freese carries on drumming which serves as the bridge to ‘Gates Of Steel’ from 1980’s ‘Freedom Of Choice’ album. The keyboards are prominent within this tune, which is something we haven’t encountered since ‘Planet Earth’, and there’s some notable Sex Pistols style guitar riffage down down here, as well as a Talking Heads style vocal delivery. Another video was shown after this as DEVO left the stage, this being ‘Devo Corporate Anthem’ from ‘Duty Now For The Future’. Thankfully, after much hollering and clapping from the fans, the band returned for one more ride, this being the title track of their 1980 ‘Freedom Of Choice’ album, which has copious amounts of punk “f*ck the system” mentality going on. The time is 9:15pm and that’s our lot. I have to honestly say that DEVO far exceeded my expectations and surprisingly were fabulous!
Devo:
Gerald Casale – lead and backing vocals, bass, keyboards
Mark Mothersbaugh – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, occasional guitar
Bob Mothersbaugh – lead guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals
Josh Freese – drums, percussion
Josh Hager – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Devo setlist:
‘Don’t Shoot (I’m A Man)’ (from 2010 ‘Something For Everybody’ album)
‘Peek-A-Boo!’ (from 1982 ‘Oh, No! It’s Devo’ album)
‘Going Under’ (from 1981 ‘New Traditionalists’ album)
‘That’s Good’ (from 1982 ‘Oh, No! It’s Devo’ album)
‘Girl U Want’ (from 1980 ‘Freedom Of Choice’ album)
‘Whip It’ (from 1980 ‘Freedom Of Choice’ album)
‘Planet Earth’ (from 1980 ‘Freedom Of Choice’ album)
‘Uncontrollable Urge’ (from 1978 ‘Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!’ album)
‘Blockhead’ (from 1979 ‘Duty Now For The Future’ album)
‘Mongoloid’ (from 1978 ‘Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!’ album)
‘Jocko Homo’ (from 1978 ‘Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!’ album)
‘Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA’ (from 1979 ‘Duty Now For The Future’ album)
‘Gates Of Steel’ (from 1980 ‘Freedom Of Choice’ album)
(encore)
‘Devo Corporate Anthem’ (from 1979 ‘Duty Now For The Future’ album)
‘Freedom Of Choice’ (from 1980 ‘Freedom Of Choice’ album)
A mere 27 minutes after DEVO vacated the stage, it is then populated by The B-52s who arrive after a 3 minute intro megamix video featuring a mashup of some of their highlight moments since their inception in 1976 in Athens, Georgia. The live music starts at 9:42pm and we are in their company for the next 65 minutes until 10:47pm. The band features original founding members Fred Schneider III (vocals, glockenspiel, bird whistle, mini keys, cowbell, walkie-talkie 1976–present), Kate Pierson (vocals, Nord Electro 6 keyboard, shaker, tambourine 1976–present), and Cindy Wilson (vocals, tom toms, tambourine 1976–present). They are accompanied by a quartet of touring members who are Tracy Wormworth (bass 1992–present), Sterling Campbell (drums (1992–present), Ken Maiuri (keyboards, guitars 2016–present), and John Andrews (guitars 2023–present).
They kick-off their set with the title track of their 1989 ‘Cosmic Thing’ album, with its earworm “Shake, shake, shake; Cosmic, cosmic, cosmic” lyrics and trademark dual vocal harmonies from Kate and Cindy. After which Fred, who is sporting a John Waters ‘Female Trouble’ Divine t-shirt, addresses the full stadium “Hello London!…we are going for a history lesson” and they launch into the title tune of 1982’s ‘Mesopotamia’ album. As history buffs will know, Mesopotamia, which translates to “land between the rivers” in Greek, is the historic region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates river system. Widely considered the world’s first “cradle of civilization,” this area corresponds primarily to modern-day Iraq, alongside portions of northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and western Iran. The B-52s tune is a funky little number and red haired Kate’s vocals are sounding fabulous, which is quite amazing as she’s the oldest of the trio, being 78, and for the record Fred is 74 and Cindy is 69.
Selection three is ‘Give Me Back My Man’ from 1980’s ‘Wild Planet’ album, with its earworm “I’ll give you fish; I’ll give you candy; I’ll give you everything I have in my hand” lyrics. For this Fred utilizes a heart shaped glockenspiel which is held vertical as though a cherub is playing it. The deeper vocal parts delivered by Cindy aren’t quite at it to be honest, but her higher-pitched joint vocals with Kate are on the money. We are informed that track four is “about utopia..it’s called ‘Topaz’” which is found on their 1989 ‘Cosmic Thing’ album, and it’s another funky number. There are brilliant dual vocals on ‘52 Girls’ from 1979’s ‘The B-52’s’ album with standout lines being “Can you name, name, name; Name ’em today?”. The tempo is brought down somewhat for ‘Roam’ from ‘Cosmic Thing’, with the initial vocals sounding autotuned. Singalong now…“Roam if you want to; Roam around the world”. It’s during this tune that I realise that Kate sings with her eyes open, whereas Cindy regularly has them closed, maybe in order to concentrate or feel the music.
Fred then blasts out “Surprise!” which is the opening cue for the party to begin on ‘Party Out Of Bounds’ from 1980’s ‘Wild Planet’ album…“Who’s to blame when parties really get out of hand?; Who’s to blame when they get poorly planned?”. Fred notably uses a bird whistle on this tune, and then he plays a mini blue and white child’s keyboard which is held aloft by his chin for ‘Dance This Mess Around’ from 1979’s self-titled long-player, and he also has a go on a cowbell. This proves to be a popular selection judging by the applause at the end. The quirkyness returns with the arrival of ‘Private Idaho’ from 1980’s ‘Wild Planet’ album…“You’re living in your own private Idaho”. The musicians are then introduced and then they launch into the longer album version of ‘Love Shack’ (from ‘Cosmic Thing’)...“The love shack is a little old place where; We can get together; Love shack baby; A love shack baby”…which gets everyone up and out of their seats, although a vast majority have been standing for the previous numbers. The musicians take their leave at 10:34pm.
Three minutes later and the party continues with the excellent ‘Planet Claire’ from 1979’s ‘The B-52’s’ album, which features Fred using what appears to be an Archer micro space patrol walkie talkie. Kate’s “ahhhh” 1960’s sci-fi vocals were absolutely fabulous and a highlight of the whole set. They ended the only way they could with their timeless classic ‘Rock Lobster’ which is also found on their ‘The B-52’s’ album. A giant sized red lobster joins them on stage in order to add to the merriment. It’s 10:47pm and that’s our lot. It’s been a truly brilliant special adventure to London and of the other 10 people that I knew and bumped into on the night, the overall consensus was that DEVO shaded it, and I agree.
The B-52’s:
Fred Schneider III – vocals, percussion
Kate Pierson – vocals, keyboards, percussion
Cindy Wilson – vocals, percussion
Current touring members:
Tracy Wormworth – bass
Sterling Campbell – drums
Ken Maiuri – keyboards, guitars
John Andrews – guitars
The B-52’s setlist:
‘Cosmic Thing’ (from 1989 ‘Cosmic Thing’ album)
‘Mesopotamia’ (from 1982 ‘Mesopotamia’ album)
‘Give Me Back My Man’ (from 1980 ‘Wild Planet’ album)
‘Topaz’ (from 1989 ‘Cosmic Thing’ album)
‘52 Girls’ (from 1979 ‘The B-52’s’ album)
‘Roam’ (from 1989 ‘Cosmic Thing’ album)
‘Party Out Of Bounds’ (from 1980 ‘Wild Planet’ album)
‘Dance This Mess Around’ (from 1979 ‘The B-52’s’ album)
‘Private Idaho’ (from 1980 ‘Wild Planet’ album)
‘Love Shack’ (from 1989 ‘Cosmic Thing’ album)
(encore)
‘Planet Claire’ (from 1979 ‘The B-52’s’ album)
‘Rock Lobster’ (from 1979 ‘The B-52’s’ album)
