The B-52’s & Devo Announce Joint 2025 Tour

The 2025 Cosmic De-Evolution Tour marks a significant collaboration between two iconic New Wave bands, The B-52s and Devo. Both groups made waves in the late 1970s and early 1980s with their distinctive sounds and eclectic performances, and this tour represents a union of these influential forces for the first time in their long careers. The tour, spanning 11 dates across North America, signifies a continuation of farewell festivities for both bands, who had previously embarked on separate farewell tours. This tour offers fans an opportunity to revel in the nostalgia of New Wave music while celebrating the enduring legacies of these bands.

Fred Schneider of The B-52s expressed his initial hesitations about returning to tour life. Following their farewell tour in 2022, the band focused on special performances, such as their successful Las Vegas residency. However, the chance to team up with Devo for a short series of shows was simply too enticing to pass up. Fellow band member Cindy Wilson shared how the recent SNL 50 concert prompted conversations that led to the tour, highlighting that despite their long history, The B-52s and Devo had seldom performed together, making this collaboration a historic occasion. Kate Pierson reminisced about their beginnings, when punk and New Wave scenes were burgeoning in New York City, recognized by icons like David Bowie and Brian Eno. Devo’s unique style resonated with The B-52s, aligning well with their surreal performance art.

Devo, characterized by their techno-pop beats and satirical takes on popular culture, shares a mutual admiration for The B-52s. Mark Mothersbaugh, a founding member of Devo, noted that “Rock Lobster,” a hit from The B-52s, was a favorite that Devo would perform for fun. The chance to unite for this tour seemed like a destined alignment of their parallel careers—both bands had crafted distinctive paths in a shared musical heritage. Gerald Casale, co-founder of Devo, remarked on the mind-boggling fact that it took nearly five decades for this joint tour to happen, emphasizing the timeless appeal and enduring relevance of both groups in popular music.

The tour, dubbed ‘Cosmic De-Evolution,' reflects both bands' thematic focus on unconventional and cosmic elements, reinforced by the tour’s opening act, Lene Lovich. The itinerary covers significant cities across North America, including Toronto, Los Angeles, and Houston, with venues ranging from amphitheaters in Mansfield, Massachusetts, to the iconic Hollywood Bowl in California. The structured setlist promises to deliver both new and longtime fans back to an era defined by vibrant colors, eclectic sounds, and the punk rock ethos.

The involvement of Live Nation as the concert promotion company ensures a wide reach and a seamless experience for concert-goers eager to see these legendary avatars in action. Presales began shortly after the tour's announcement, building anticipation among the fanbase. This well-thought-out partnership signifies not just a musical reunion but a convergence of cultures and a celebration of an era that continues to influence contemporary music.

For the B-52s and Devo, the Cosmic De-Evolution Tour is more than just a series of performances; it's a cultural event that reaffirms their status as pillars of the New Wave movement. It allows band members to reflect on their journeys, from humble beginnings to becoming worldwide phenomena, and affords audiences a chance to witness the vibrancy and energy that these bands brought—and continue to bring—to the music scene. As audiences prepare their “wig hats” and “Devo bonnets,” this tour promises to be a unique, escapist journey into the signature eccentricities of The B-52s and Devo, making it a must-see for New Wave aficionados and music enthusiasts alike.

The B-52's and Devo, Cosmic De-Evolution Tour Dates
September 24 – Toronto, ONT @ Budweiser Stage
Sept. 25 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
Oct. 2 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
Oct. 4 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
Oct. 5 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
Oct. 16 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
Oct. 18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
Oct. 24 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
Oct. 25 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Nov. 1 – Austin, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Nov. 2 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion