Devo

After the success of Devo’s Don’t Look Back performance of Are We Not Men . . .earlier in the week, there’s an air of keen anticipation for their set on the centre stage. The Devolution film whips the crowd further before a bunch of burly old men in yellow jumpsuits bound onto the stage. Devo in 2009 really shouldn’t work — the yellowcoats should seem as naff as the Butlins Redcoats of yore — but the first part of the set, drawn largely from the band’s early career, is one of the most upbeat, joyous and fun occasions of this ATP or any other. Unfortunately, when the band strip off the coats in favour of black hockey attire and plough through rockier later material the spirit is lost somewhat, and all we’re left with is some crowd-flung Devo hats. LT