Devo All Around

February 28, 2016 11:59 AM

Devo creates an interactive 360 music video, What We Do. To watch 360 degree videos, you'll need the latest version of Chrome, Opera, Firefox, or Internet Explorer on your computer. On mobile, use the latest version of the YouTube app for Android or iOS. Devo also created a non-interactive version of the same video (but it's really not the same).
posted by hippybear (13 comments total)

Last week the BBC released a 360 video, but even with Attenborough presenting I felt it missed the mark.

Viewing video projected in a surrounding sphere is not actually immersive, or rather, it's the first cut at immersion

More immersion comes with becoming intermingled in the scene, and even more with some sort of agency, i.e. ability to affect the environment.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 12:09 PM on February 28, 2016

Only 745 views so far?
posted by infinitewindow at 12:31 PM on February 28, 2016

I bought this goofy thing for viewing 360 degree videos. It's like several steps up from Google Cardboard, but several hundred steps down from an Oculus. Still, pretty amusing and maybe worth it if you like techy toys.

We're going to be seeing a ton of these since Samsung, LG, and Ricoh are all releasing sub-$500 360 degree cameras.
posted by miyabo at 12:48 PM on February 28, 2016 [1 favorite]

Interesting. Could watch it a few times and follow different "subnarratives".
posted by Capybara at 12:56 PM on February 28, 2016

Devo has always been really good at grokking multimedia. Had a chance to catch a concert WAYYYYYY back and it was an amazing show designed perfect for ADD people like me.
posted by Samizdata at 1:09 PM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]

I recall this being a special feature on the deluxe edition of their last album. Is this the same video presented in a new, YouTubeable format?
posted by tobascodagama at 1:09 PM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]

Devo prevails.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 1:18 PM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]

Apropos of nothing, but I found myself last night watching this 1978 interview on French TV of the band.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 1:25 PM on February 28, 2016 [1 favorite]

Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon: "Devo prevails."

And they always will.

Talk about the first people to upload (after me, that is)...
posted by Samizdata at 1:42 PM on February 28, 2016

I have a Gear VR, and 360 videos are a lot more immersive with it, in large part due to the fact that you can actually look around.
posted by NoxAeternum at 3:00 PM on February 28, 2016 [1 favorite]

Wait: as per OP's last link, this was already released (as 360° video) five years ago - and what's new here is that YouTube/other browsers/apps have caught up now?

Devo: always ahead of the(ir own) curve...
posted by progosk at 6:54 AM on February 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

The latest Devo album may be my favorite because of how slick and glossy and "look, this is what you like, right?" Feeling it has. It's modern consumer culture turned up just 10%.
posted by The Whelk at 9:12 AM on February 29, 2016 [2 favorites]

Yeah, it's not necessarily their best music (though it's pretty darn good), but the super-meta performance art aspect of the album was extremely Devo.

Loved the "focus testing" they did by releasing a couple of songs early and letting people vote on which ones should be on the album.
posted by tobascodagama at 10:55 AM on February 29, 2016