The Cosmic De-Evolution Tour Rolls Through New Jersey

It was a flashback to the 80s on Saturday (10/4/25) at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel as 3 acts that were deep into 80s music history performed as part of the De-Evolution Tour.

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80s Music Highlight The Cosmic De-Evolution Tour 2025

DEVO and the B-52s co-headlined the tour, which will bring the show from the East Coast to the West Coast. The show features Lene Lovich as a special guest and show opener.

The opening act at the Cosmic De-Evolution Tour 2025 is the 80s performer Lene Lovich. Lovich's musical style combined her own quirky inventions with contemporary punk rock and new wave styles.

I'll admit I was not as familiar with Lene as the other acts, but I was pleasantly surprised by her sound and energy.

Lene Lovich, born in Detroit in 1949 and raised in England, is a new wave singer known for her theatrical style and distinctive voice. She began her career performing in cabaret and collaborating with other artists before rising to fame in 1978 with her hit single “Lucky Number” on Stiff Records. Her albums Stateless and Flex cemented her place in the late-70s new wave scene. After a break from recording, she returned with Shadows and Dust in 2005 and later formed her own label, Flex Music. Lovich remains known for her originality and lasting influence on alternative music.

Next up with DEVO. The classic 80s "art" band that had a lot to say back in the 80s, and the culture of the time from the 70s and 80s.

DEVO formed in the early 1970s in Akron, Ohio, by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, who developed the concept of “de-evolution”—the idea that society was regressing. Blending art, satire, and technology, they gained attention for their quirky image, synthesizer-driven sound, and matching outfits. Their debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978), produced by Brian Eno, established their style, and their 1980 hit “Whip It” made them a mainstream success. Though their popularity declined in the mid-1980s, DEVO continued performing and recording, influencing generations of alternative and electronic musicians.

Rounding out the night was 80s "party" band the B-52s. The band brought its big music catalog and had folks dancing in the aisles in Holmdel. Kate Pierson (Weehawkin) and Fred Schneider (Newark) are from New Jersey.

The B-52s formed in 1976 in Athens, Georgia, blending surf rock, new wave, and quirky humor into a colorful, danceable style. With hits like “Rock Lobster,” they became cult favorites before reaching mainstream success with Cosmic Thing in 1989, featuring “Love Shack” and “Roam.” Despite the loss of guitarist Ricky Wilson in 1985, the band continued recording and touring, known for their playful energy, retro flair, and lasting influence on alternative pop.

It was a fun show that brought back many memories of 80s music, and it was a great trip through time. It was a beautiful October night in New Jersey, and the show was a treat.

Concert Photos From The Cosmic De-Evolution Tour