Former Saturday Night Live cast member Fred Armisen pulled double duty during the first half of the SNL 50 concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Friday night (February 14th). The funnyman played drums for a pair of legendary new wave bands: The B-52s and DEVO.
First up, Armisen teamed up with the B-52s for a rousing rendition of “Love Shack,” joining the Roots in backing founding B-52s members Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson.
Midway into the tune, current SNL cast members Sarah Sherman and Bowen Yang appeared onstage, engaging in the “bang, bang, bang” call-and-response portion of the song.
Just a short time later, Armisen manned the kit as DEVO took the stage for “Uncontrollable Urge.” The comedian kept a steady beat as singer Mark Mothersbaugh and company ripped through the tune that apparently earns the vocalist roughly $1 million a year thanks to its use as the theme song on MTV’s “Ridiculousness.”
The band, including Armisen, wore the same yellow suits they sported during their original appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1978.
Meanwhile, DEVO will embark on a spring North American leg of their ongoing farewell tour beginning May 1st in Philadelphia. Pick up tickets here.
See clips of Fred Armisen performing at the SNL 50 concert with the B-52s and Devo below.
#SNLHomecoming Sarah Sherman and Bowen Yang join the B-52s on stage pic.twitter.com/P2jdLHqGIu
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) February 15, 2025
At least #DEVO is still #DEVO. #UncontrollableUrge still sounds like it always has. #SNL50 Finally someone performing like they actually care about their performance. pic.twitter.com/9JY2hi65zl
— Not An “X” Man (@ZodsHenchman) February 15, 2025