Billy Idol, DEVO rock nostalgia at BankNH Pavilion

GILFORD — Billy Idol and DEVO took the stage in front of a zealous crowd at BankNH Pavilion Aug. 18, in what was a double bill that defined the sound of the 1980s.

DEVO kicked things off with a wildly energetic performance, complete with psychedelic visuals that fit the theme of their out-of-this-world, new wave persona.

Plenty of fans were rocking DEVO gear, including Brian Dillard, and his children, Alex and Anika. The family from Moultonborough was pumped for the show, with Brian saying he has listened to DEVO his whole life, and his kids were just as into them. They saw the band last year at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

“I’ve been a fan my whole life,” Brian said.

It was tough for them to choose a favorite song. Anika said she really likes all of them. Brian said his favorite was probably “Turn Around,” a deep cut they ultimately didn’t play. He said he could have chosen about 10 others.

Widely known for their 1980 hit “Whip It,” and their iconic red caps and quirky attire, DEVO put on a show with songs spanning back to their 1978 album “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We are Devo!” and beyond.

Over the course of an hour, they ripped through 14 songs, often with Mark Mothersbaugh running around the stage causing hijinks. Mothersbaugh, a multi-instrumentalist and lead singer, and his brother Bob, the lead guitarist, founded the band, along with bassist Gerald Casale and his late brother, Bob.

Bob Casale died in 2014. For the past 12 years, Josh Hagar has filled the roles of guitar and synthesizer. Jeff Friedl, the band’s drummer for nearly two decades, laid down dance-driven, rhythmic grooves.

From the opening the notes of “Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)" to the encore — “Freedom of Choice,” complete with political undertones and even overtones — the band had it. Hits like “Jocko Homo” and “Uncontrollable Urge” had fans dancing the whole time.

DEVO set the stage nicely for the main event: Billy Idol. Idol — known for his punk rock appeal with the band Generation X in the ‘70s and his explosively popular solo career in the ‘80s — showed it doesn’t matter the decade.

Idol tore through more than an hour of music that spanned the duration of his career. He opened with “Still Dancing,” a single from his 2025 album “Dream Into It,” before entering ‘80s territory with “Cradle Of Love” and “Flesh For Fantasy.”

Idol dove back into the new realm with a spirited version of “77,” before playing a rarity in “Love Unchained,” which had only been played 10 times in his career since debuting in 1988.

“I haven’t done this song in a million years,” Idol told the crowd. “Let’s see what happens.”

The crowd went nuts, as the band flawlessly went through the tune, with Idol strutting around the stage in iconic fashion. Steve Stevens, Idol’s longtime guitarist and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, sat down at the front of the stage to play a run of delicate riffs, which led into one of Idol’s big hits, “Eyes Without A Face.”

Stevens then showed off his guitar chops with a blazing solo, culminating with a mashup of a pair of Led Zeppelin tunes, “Over the Hills and Far Away” and “Stairway to Heaven." The gearshift was cranked up a notch when Idol and his band rocked out “Mony Mony,” a Tommy James & The Shondells cover,  followed by “Trouble With The Sweet Stuff.”

Idol recognized his rhythm guitarist, Billy Morrison, saying it was his turn to play lead after Stevens had just taken the spotlight. Morrison requested a Generation X song, and he ripped into the punk anthem “Ready Steady Go.”

After playing “Blue Highway” and the “Top Gun Anthem,” which Stevens won a Grammy for, Idol spoke about a birthday party he was invited to in New York City, by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. He recalled Wood, along with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, sharing a bottle of bourbon. He wondered what brand The Stones could be drinking, and when he took a look at the label, it read, “Rebel Yell.”

The energy that took over the venue was palpable, as Idol led the band through the 1983 hit, finishing the set in raucous fashion. He encored with the Generation X classic “Dancing With Myself,” followed by “Hot In The City,” which was his first solo hit while living in the United States.

Idol said there must be one more song he hadn’t played, and an image of church stained glass appeared on the screen behind him, as the band launched into his biggest hit, “White Wedding.”

Idol thanked the Gilford crowd after introducing the band, saying everyone in that venue had contributing to having the best life imaginable. Multiple generations of music lovers enjoyed the show, proving that some music — like Idol and DEVO — remains timeless.