DEVO to perform at Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver

DEVO, one of post modern rock’s most visionary and influential bands, have been invited to perform live at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on Feb 22, 2010. This performance will conclude a Victory Ceremony and will be broadcast live on NBC Networks. It’s your duty as citizens of the earth to tune in, watch, listen and learn.

This exclusive appearance comes in anticipation of the band’s first studio album in nearly 20 years. With an estimated 3 billion worldwide television viewers, this is probably DEVO’s biggest single event audience and one of many future opportunities to expose their music, knowledge and message to the world. DEVO will perform old favorites as well as future favorites from the upcoming album.

The announcement of DEVO completes the lineup of 15 top North American headline acts for the Whistler Victory Ceremonies, which also includes Feist, Usher, Our Lady Peace, and The Fray. Each act will perform for one night from February 13 to 27 during the Games at Whistler Medals Plaza. For more information on the lineup, visit www.vancouver2010.com.

This news follows the announcement last year that DEVO have signed a unique, ground-breaking worldwide partnership with their original label home Warner Bros. Records that exhibits the band’s long-time commitment to innovation in all aspects of their career.

"We are really excited to have the opportunity to let everyone know that De-evolution is real!" - Jerry Casale

“DEVO were collectively ready to relax in their matching LAZYBOY loungers, sipping drinks by the 19th hole, but the rate things have been falling apart, and the velocity of de-evolution these days left us with no choice but to get back out there and inform people that now, more than ever before, it is time to disobey the mob and think for ourselves! To remind people that biology is destiny, and de-evolution is real! We are back with inspirational tomes of truth and neuro-simpatico sonic nuggets for the entire world, not just our species! From your inarticulate pal,”
booji boy oxo

And now, the fine print: Formed in Akron, OH in 1974 as a multi-media experiment, DEVO caught the attention of such pop music luminaries as Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Neil Young, as well as an equally curious and loyal fan base whose support led to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. The label released the Brian Eno-produced Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! in 1978 and suddenly the world, for all intents and purposes, was now both round and flat. Duty Now for the Future followed in 1979. In 1980, DEVO released its commercial breakthrough album Freedom of Choice, which featured the timeless Top 20 hit “Whip It.”

Rounder and flatter than ever, New Traditionalists came next in 1981, 1982’s Oh, No! It’s Devo, and 1984’s Shout, its last album for Warner Bros. Records. After releasing 1988’s Total Devo and 1990’s Smooth Noodle Maps on Enigma Records, the band went on hiatus.

Now original members Gerald Casale, Bob Casale, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Bob Mothersbaugh are joined by drummer Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Weezer, Guns N’ Roses) and are currently activating massive scale maneuvers to be unveiled at the appropriate time and place. De-evolution 2010 will include the release of new musical adventures and recordings (featuring an eclectic cast of producers and collaborators), international festival appearances, and a proper tour of North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America.

Stay tuned to: www.clubdevo.com for DEVO, news, tour dates, merch store and more.

“We’re excited to add DEVO to the amazing lineup at Whistler Medals Plaza, which features cutting-edge solo artists and bands,” said Christy Nicolay, vice president of sport production and Victory Ceremonies for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). “We’re all looking forward to seeing them bring their unique brand of live performance to our outdoor amphitheatre under the stars in celebration of the world’s greatest athletes,” she added. “These nightly Victory Ceremonies are possible thanks to our partners, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Government of Canada.”

Additional fine print: The ticketed nightly ceremonies in Whistler, which kick off on February 13 with the All American Rejects and the presentation of medals for men’s ski jumping and downhill skiing, as well as the women’s 7.5-kilometre sprint event in biathlon ― are designed to pay tribute to the world’s best competing in 2010 and celebrate Canada’s hosting of one of the world’s largest sporting events.

Whistler Medals Plaza includes a large “turntable” stage to accommodate both the medals presentations and the entertainment programming. Adjacent to each side of the stage will be video walls featuring Vancouver 2010 Look of the Games’ graphics, as well as two giant screens showing highlights of the athletes’ performances and enhancing the activity on stage.

Gates open nightly at 4:30 pm (Pacific Time) with a DJ and interactive games for the crowd, followed by a live simulcast of the nightly provincial and territorial pre-show held at BC Place in Vancouver. At 7:00 pm, the medal ceremonies will be held for the winning athletes of the day at Whistler-area venues, followed 30 minutes later by that night’s headlining act. The evening celebrations will end at approximately 8:30 pm. All medal presentations in Whistler for the 2010 Winter Games will be televised around the world.

Ticketing information for Whistler Victory Ceremonies
Whistler Victory Ceremony tickets were distributed to the public in the Sea to Sky region through a contest operated in partnership with Tourism Whistler at www.whistler.com. Winners were notified via e-mail by January 22. Tickets must be picked up by the winner (with ID and proof of address in the Sea to Sky region) at the Main Ticket Centre in Whistler, located next to Whistler Medals Plaza, by January 31.

The contest operated for 11 days, beginning January 4, 2010 and was open to residents from Squamish to Mount Currie. The contest closed on January 15, 2010 and winners were notified via e-mail by January 22, 2010. Tickets must be picked up by the winner (with ID and proof of address in the Sea to Sky region) at the Main Ticket Centre in Whistler, located next to Whistler Medals Plaza, by January 31, 2010.

About VANOC: VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.