Billy Idol and Devo @ Darien Lake PAC, Darien, NY 8-14-26

The 80’s came alive at the Darien Lake PAC this past Friday night. As punk/rock artist Billy Idol and the new wave outfit DEVO played to a sparse but appreciated crowd. The tour just started a week earlier so the bands by now should be hitting their stride.

Opening up the show was the weird, wonderful world of Devo. I haven’t seen the band since 2010, since that time founding member Bob Casale passed away. The band still consists of original members Gerald Casale on bass, Bob Mothersbaugh on lead guitar and Mark Mothersbaugh on lead vocals. It’s been 16 years since the band released any new music, but the band still tours on their previous outputs. They opened the show with “Don’t Shoot I’m a Man,” and the strange ride began from there. They did wear the flowerpot hats for a portion of the show. That included during their most infamous song “Whip It.” They had yellow latex suits that they wore during “Uncontrollable Urge,” where Mark Mothersbaugh went around ripping portions of other members suits off during the track. Their hour-long set included an encore, which is rare for an opening band. They finished the set off with another hit of theirs in “Freedom of Choice.” Odd images were shown throughout their set on the accompanying video screen backdrop. The show was what I expected, a lot of deadpan humor accompanied by eclectic music. They go by the moniker, “WE ARE DEVO!” I can say they certainly are!

Next up was newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Billy Idol. Unlike Devo, and maybe a lot of other artists from his genre, he consistently releases new music. Last year he released his 9^th studio effort titled “Dream Into It.” Idol has had a long-storied solo career and has been through it the entire time with his longtime collaborator, Steve Stevens. He, like Idol, will be making the journey into the Rock Hall as well. Idol played two tracks off his latest effort including the opening song “Still Dancing.” He went back to “Charmed Life” record for what was one of his biggest hits in “Cradle of Love.” With Stevens leading the way and rhythm guitarist Billy Morrison laying down the tasty licks, it pretty much drove the band for the entire set. When the flamenco guitar makes an appearance, you know “Eyes Without a Face’ is not too far behind it. The timing could not have been more perfect as the park usually shoots off fireworks at 10pm and it was simultaneously happening during Steven’s guitar solo. The videographer gets the gold star for the night as he fed the video feed from the fireworks onto the screen where it looked like Stevens’ guitar solo was causing firework explosions. Idol went back to his Generation X days for a few songs including the fluid “Ready Steady Go.” He closed the set out with “Rebel Yell.” His encore included one of my favorite Idol songs in “Hot in the City.” An appropriate song as the area has been dealing with some unseasonably warm weather.

Idol and Stevens played off each other the entire night, and it made for flawless show. Idol’s voice sounded terrific and his demeanor was every bit the rock start you have come to know and love from Idol. A fantastic show and evening from Idol and crew!

Billy Idol setlist:

Still Dancing

Cradle of Love

Flesh for Fantasy

Love Unchained

Eyes Without a Face

Guitar solo

Mony Money (Tommy James & The Shondelles cover)

Trouble With the Sweet Stuff

Ready Steady Go (Generation X song)

Blue Highway/Top Gun Anthem

Rebell Yell