DEVO returned to Ohio for their first live performance in their hometown of Akron since 1978. Their cause: to give Presidential candidate Barack Obama a push in Ohio, a swing state in this year's election.
Read the text in this large middle column first, then go to the first thumbnail image at the top left, and click through the pages for a chronological journey through the photos.
-Michael Pilmer for DEVO, Inc.
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10.17.08: Akron Civic Theatre/Akron, Ohio
Most of the band and crew arrived in Ohio late night on October 16th. The day of the show started very early for Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale, who woke at 5am for a local TV interview at 6am. Even though DEVO was in Akron specifically to boost Obama's campaign, the news weenies still asked DEVO not to talk politics during the interview. Go figure! We're ALL De-vo.
The interior decor of the Akron Civic Theatre is truly amazing
(as seen in the photos below).
I arrived at the Akron Civic Theatre before noon, and began organizing the band's wardrobe in the dressing room, setting up my camera to film the show for the band's archives, and making sure the DEVO/Obama merchandise was delivered to the venue.
After a few opening acts, including The Black Keys and Chrissie Hynde, DEVO gave Akron one of the best performances I've seen since my time working with them. It was high-energy, with a great sound mix, and extended banter between songs. Even our beloved General Boy (Father of Mark & Bob Mothersbaugh) was in the audience for this special show.
DEVO's stage gear for their encore included the Devo/Obama tees designed specifically for this event, which were being snapped up by many spuds at the merch table before & after the show.
A fabulous V.I.P. party was held inside the Theatre immediately after DEVO's show, offering a complimentary full bar and large spread of food to those who were lucky enough to get in. The crowd consisted of those who purchased V.I.P. tickets for $150, plus friends & family of the bands & the Summit County Democratic Party members. Loyal DEVOtees who traveled from Canada and all over the USA to attend this event enjoyed the freebie refreshments as they hob-nobbed with other spuds until the party closed around 1am.
After the post-show V.I.P. party at the venue, many DEVOtees headed over to Akron's Luigi's for pizza & drinks. By the time my posse got there (Me, DEVO Tour Mgr. Ray Amico, Ed Winstead, and Tim Nolan), Luigi's had already stopped serving drinks, so we headed across the street to The Interbelt Club, a drag-friendly bar that served past 2am. They were SO very accomodating, and even played a remix of Whip It for their dance-hungry patrons while we were there. A great end to a fantastic night.
ONLINE PRESS & REVIEWS FOR THE AKRON DEVO SHOW:
AkronNewsNow 10.6.08 | BLURT 10.7.08 | Akron Beacon Journal 10.10.08 | Cleveland Scene 10.15.08 | CantonRep 10.15.08 | Akron Beacon Journal 10.15.08 | Cleveland.com 10.15.08 | KentNewsNet.com 10.16.08 | NewsBlaze 10.16.08 | LA Weekly 10.17.08 | Akron Beacon Journal 10.18.08 | WKSU 10.20.08 | Metromix 10.20.08 | LA Weekly 10.20.08 | LA Weekly 10.22.08
One DEVOted spud set up the www.devobama.com site for fans to post their photos, video, etc.
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Special thanks to everyone who supplied info & photos!
Extra special thanks to Michael Browne for his proofing skills!
DUTY NOW,
Michael Pilmer for Devo, Inc.
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