diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/arm/util/cs-etm.c b/tools/perf/arch/arm/util/cs-etm.c
index 051e906..6654bcf 100644
--- a/tools/perf/arch/arm/util/cs-etm.c
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/arm/util/cs-etm.c
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ static int cs_etm_recording_options(struct auxtrace_record *itr,
 		if (err)
 			goto out;
 
-		tracking_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+		tracking_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 		perf_evlist__set_tracking_event(evlist, tracking_evsel);
 
 		tracking_evsel->core.attr.freq = 0;
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/arm64/util/arm-spe.c b/tools/perf/arch/arm64/util/arm-spe.c
index 9302c65..745f2d5 100644
--- a/tools/perf/arch/arm64/util/arm-spe.c
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/arm64/util/arm-spe.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ static int arm_spe_recording_options(struct auxtrace_record *itr,
 	if (err)
 		return err;
 
-	tracking_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	tracking_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 	perf_evlist__set_tracking_event(evlist, tracking_evsel);
 
 	tracking_evsel->core.attr.freq = 0;
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/x86/tests/intel-cqm.c b/tools/perf/arch/x86/tests/intel-cqm.c
index 111c0ab..0329b91 100644
--- a/tools/perf/arch/x86/tests/intel-cqm.c
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/x86/tests/intel-cqm.c
@@ -62,9 +62,9 @@ int test__intel_cqm_count_nmi_context(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subt
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 	if (!evsel) {
-		pr_debug("perf_evlist__first failed\n");
+		pr_debug("evlist__first failed\n");
 		goto out;
 	}
 
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/x86/tests/perf-time-to-tsc.c b/tools/perf/arch/x86/tests/perf-time-to-tsc.c
index 10b7ace..fa94795 100644
--- a/tools/perf/arch/x86/tests/perf-time-to-tsc.c
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/x86/tests/perf-time-to-tsc.c
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ int test__perf_time_to_tsc(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe
 
 	perf_evlist__config(evlist, &opts, NULL);
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	evsel->core.attr.comm = 1;
 	evsel->core.attr.disabled = 1;
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/intel-bts.c b/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/intel-bts.c
index e81535c..e2c7095 100644
--- a/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/intel-bts.c
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/intel-bts.c
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ static int intel_bts_recording_options(struct auxtrace_record *itr,
 		if (err)
 			return err;
 
-		tracking_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+		tracking_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 		perf_evlist__set_tracking_event(evlist, tracking_evsel);
 
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/intel-pt.c b/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/intel-pt.c
index 886b3ac..84a65524 100644
--- a/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/intel-pt.c
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/intel-pt.c
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ static int intel_pt_track_switches(struct evlist *evlist)
 		return err;
 	}
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	perf_evsel__set_sample_bit(evsel, CPU);
 	perf_evsel__set_sample_bit(evsel, TIME);
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ static int intel_pt_recording_options(struct auxtrace_record *itr,
 				if (err)
 					return err;
 
-				switch_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+				switch_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 				switch_evsel->core.attr.freq = 0;
 				switch_evsel->core.attr.sample_period = 1;
@@ -775,7 +775,7 @@ static int intel_pt_recording_options(struct auxtrace_record *itr,
 		if (err)
 			return err;
 
-		tracking_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+		tracking_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 		perf_evlist__set_tracking_event(evlist, tracking_evsel);
 
diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
index 9499714..48600c9 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
@@ -756,9 +756,9 @@ static int record__open(struct record *rec)
 		if (perf_evlist__add_dummy(evlist))
 			return -ENOMEM;
 
-		pos = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		pos = evlist__first(evlist);
 		pos->tracking = 0;
-		pos = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+		pos = evlist__last(evlist);
 		pos->tracking = 1;
 		pos->core.attr.enable_on_exec = 1;
 	}
diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-script.c b/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
index e7a49e2..22c1d11 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
@@ -2043,7 +2043,7 @@ static int process_attr(struct perf_tool *tool, union perf_event *event,
 		return err;
 
 	evlist = *pevlist;
-	evsel = perf_evlist__last(*pevlist);
+	evsel = evlist__last(*pevlist);
 
 	if (!evsel->priv) {
 		if (scr->per_event_dump) {
diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-top.c b/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
index 474b986..73bf790 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ static bool perf_top__handle_keypress(struct perf_top *top, int c)
 				prompt_integer(&counter, "Enter details event counter");
 
 				if (counter >= top->evlist->core.nr_entries) {
-					top->sym_evsel = perf_evlist__first(top->evlist);
+					top->sym_evsel = evlist__first(top->evlist);
 					fprintf(stderr, "Sorry, no such event, using %s.\n", perf_evsel__name(top->sym_evsel));
 					sleep(1);
 					break;
@@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ static bool perf_top__handle_keypress(struct perf_top *top, int c)
 					if (top->sym_evsel->idx == counter)
 						break;
 			} else
-				top->sym_evsel = perf_evlist__first(top->evlist);
+				top->sym_evsel = evlist__first(top->evlist);
 			break;
 		case 'f':
 			prompt_integer(&top->count_filter, "Enter display event count filter");
@@ -962,7 +962,7 @@ static int perf_top__overwrite_check(struct perf_top *top)
 		/* has term for current event */
 		if ((overwrite < 0) && (set >= 0)) {
 			/* if it's first event, set overwrite */
-			if (evsel == perf_evlist__first(evlist))
+			if (evsel == evlist__first(evlist))
 				overwrite = set;
 			else
 				return -1;
@@ -986,7 +986,7 @@ static int perf_top_overwrite_fallback(struct perf_top *top,
 		return 0;
 
 	/* only fall back when first event fails */
-	if (evsel != perf_evlist__first(evlist))
+	if (evsel != evlist__first(evlist))
 		return 0;
 
 	evlist__for_each_entry(evlist, counter)
@@ -1644,7 +1644,7 @@ int cmd_top(int argc, const char **argv)
 		goto out_delete_evlist;
 	}
 
-	top.sym_evsel = perf_evlist__first(top.evlist);
+	top.sym_evsel = evlist__first(top.evlist);
 
 	if (!callchain_param.enabled) {
 		symbol_conf.cumulate_callchain = false;
diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-trace.c b/tools/perf/builtin-trace.c
index 91c73c7..9766728 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-trace.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-trace.c
@@ -3427,7 +3427,7 @@ static int trace__run(struct trace *trace, int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	trace->multiple_threads = perf_thread_map__pid(evlist->core.threads, 0) == -1 ||
 				  evlist->core.threads->nr > 1 ||
-				  perf_evlist__first(evlist)->core.attr.inherit;
+				  evlist__first(evlist)->core.attr.inherit;
 
 	/*
 	 * Now that we already used evsel->core.attr to ask the kernel to setup the
diff --git a/tools/perf/lib/include/internal/evlist.h b/tools/perf/lib/include/internal/evlist.h
index c5a0689..16ae6d6 100644
--- a/tools/perf/lib/include/internal/evlist.h
+++ b/tools/perf/lib/include/internal/evlist.h
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 #include <linux/list.h>
 #include <api/fd/array.h>
+#include <internal/evsel.h>
 
 #define PERF_EVLIST__HLIST_BITS 8
 #define PERF_EVLIST__HLIST_SIZE (1 << PERF_EVLIST__HLIST_BITS)
@@ -55,4 +56,14 @@ struct perf_evlist {
 #define perf_evlist__for_each_entry_reverse(evlist, evsel) \
 	__perf_evlist__for_each_entry_reverse(&(evlist)->entries, evsel)
 
+static inline struct perf_evsel *perf_evlist__first(struct perf_evlist *evlist)
+{
+	return list_entry(evlist->entries.next, struct perf_evsel, node);
+}
+
+static inline struct perf_evsel *perf_evlist__last(struct perf_evlist *evlist)
+{
+	return list_entry(evlist->entries.prev, struct perf_evsel, node);
+}
+
 #endif /* __LIBPERF_INTERNAL_EVLIST_H */
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/code-reading.c b/tools/perf/tests/code-reading.c
index 7dac69a..f5764a3 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/code-reading.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/code-reading.c
@@ -652,7 +652,7 @@ static int do_test_code_reading(bool try_kcore)
 
 		perf_evlist__config(evlist, &opts, NULL);
 
-		evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 		evsel->core.attr.comm = 1;
 		evsel->core.attr.disabled = 1;
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/event-times.c b/tools/perf/tests/event-times.c
index 0228ba4..1ee8704 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/event-times.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/event-times.c
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 static int attach__enable_on_exec(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 	struct target target = {
 		.uid = UINT_MAX,
 	};
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ static int detach__enable_on_exec(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int attach__current_disabled(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 	struct perf_thread_map *threads;
 	int err;
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ static int attach__current_disabled(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int attach__current_enabled(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 	struct perf_thread_map *threads;
 	int err;
 
@@ -104,14 +104,14 @@ static int attach__current_enabled(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int detach__disable(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	return evsel__enable(evsel);
 }
 
 static int attach__cpu_disabled(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 	struct perf_cpu_map *cpus;
 	int err;
 
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ static int attach__cpu_disabled(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int attach__cpu_enabled(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 	struct perf_cpu_map *cpus;
 	int err;
 
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ static int test_times(int (attach)(struct evlist *),
 		goto out_err;
 	}
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 	evsel->core.attr.read_format |=
 		PERF_FORMAT_TOTAL_TIME_ENABLED |
 		PERF_FORMAT_TOTAL_TIME_RUNNING;
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/event_update.c b/tools/perf/tests/event_update.c
index cf4f901..cd6cae8 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/event_update.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/event_update.c
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ int test__event_update(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_unu
 	evlist = perf_evlist__new_default();
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("failed to get evlist", evlist);
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("failed to allocate ids",
 			!perf_evsel__alloc_id(&evsel->core, 1, 1));
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/evsel-roundtrip-name.c b/tools/perf/tests/evsel-roundtrip-name.c
index 5330f10..956205b 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/evsel-roundtrip-name.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/evsel-roundtrip-name.c
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ static int perf_evsel__roundtrip_cache_name_test(void)
 	}
 
 	idx = 0;
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	for (type = 0; type < PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MAX; type++) {
 		for (op = 0; op < PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_OP_MAX; op++) {
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/hists_cumulate.c b/tools/perf/tests/hists_cumulate.c
index fa55b7b..6367c8f 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/hists_cumulate.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/hists_cumulate.c
@@ -721,7 +721,7 @@ int test__hists_cumulate(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_u
 	if (verbose > 1)
 		machine__fprintf(machine, stderr);
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	for (i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(testcases); i++) {
 		err = testcases[i](evsel, machine);
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/hists_link.c b/tools/perf/tests/hists_link.c
index 1a3bdc0..a024d3f 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/hists_link.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/hists_link.c
@@ -311,8 +311,8 @@ int test__hists_link(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_unuse
 			print_hists_in(hists);
 	}
 
-	first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
-	evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	first = evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	first_hists = evsel__hists(first);
 	hists = evsel__hists(evsel);
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/hists_output.c b/tools/perf/tests/hists_output.c
index 3f6dfa2..38f804f 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/hists_output.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/hists_output.c
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ int test__hists_output(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_unu
 	if (verbose > 1)
 		machine__fprintf(machine, stderr);
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	for (i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(testcases); i++) {
 		err = testcases[i](evsel, machine);
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/keep-tracking.c b/tools/perf/tests/keep-tracking.c
index bd4ae8e..92c7d59 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/keep-tracking.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/keep-tracking.c
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ int test__keep_tracking(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_un
 
 	perf_evlist__config(evlist, &opts, NULL);
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	evsel->core.attr.comm = 1;
 	evsel->core.attr.disabled = 1;
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ int test__keep_tracking(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_un
 
 	evlist__enable(evlist);
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	CHECK__(evsel__disable(evsel));
 
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/parse-events.c b/tools/perf/tests/parse-events.c
index c25c8e7..25e0ed2 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/parse-events.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/parse-events.c
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ static bool kvm_s390_create_vm_valid(void)
 
 static int test__checkevent_tracepoint(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 0 == evlist->nr_groups);
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_tracepoint_multi(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_raw(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_RAW == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_raw(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_numeric(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", 1 == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_numeric(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name_config(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name_config(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_symbolic_alias(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_SOFTWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_symbolic_alias(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_genhw(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HW_CACHE == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_genhw(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_BREAKPOINT == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_x(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_BREAKPOINT == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_x(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_r(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type",
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_r(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_w(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type",
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_w(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_rw(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type",
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_rw(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_tracepoint_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ test__checkevent_tracepoint_multi_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_raw_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_raw_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_numeric_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_numeric_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_exclude_host_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude guest", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_guest);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude host", evsel->core.attr.exclude_host);
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_exclude_host_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_exclude_guest_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude guest", evsel->core.attr.exclude_guest);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude host", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_host);
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_exclude_guest_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_symbolic_alias_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_symbolic_alias_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_genhw_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_genhw_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_exclude_idle_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude idle", evsel->core.attr.exclude_idle);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude guest", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_guest);
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_exclude_idle_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_exclude_idle_modifier_1(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude idle", evsel->core.attr.exclude_idle);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude guest", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_guest);
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_exclude_idle_modifier_1(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_x_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_x_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_r_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_r_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_w_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_w_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_rw_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_rw_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 static int test__checkevent_pmu(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
 
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_RAW == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_pmu(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_list(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 3 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_list(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_pmu_name(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	/* cpu/config=1,name=krava/u */
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 2 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_pmu_name(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_pmu_partial_time_callgraph(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	/* cpu/config=1,call-graph=fp,time,period=100000/ */
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 2 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_pmu_partial_time_callgraph(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_pmu_events(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_RAW == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_pmu_events(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_pmu_events_mix(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	/* pmu-event:u */
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 2 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ static int test__group1(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 1 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* instructions:k */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -684,7 +684,7 @@ static int test__group2(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 1 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* faults + :ku modifier */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_SOFTWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_SW_PAGE_FAULTS == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -739,7 +739,7 @@ static int test__group3(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 2 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* group1 syscalls:sys_enter_openat:H */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_TRACEPOINT == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong sample_type",
 		PERF_TP_SAMPLE_TYPE == evsel->core.attr.sample_type);
@@ -831,7 +831,7 @@ static int test__group4(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 1 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* cycles:u + p */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ static int test__group5(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 2 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* cycles + G */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -961,7 +961,7 @@ static int test__group_gh1(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 1 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* cycles + :H group modifier */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -1001,7 +1001,7 @@ static int test__group_gh2(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 1 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* cycles + :G group modifier */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -1041,7 +1041,7 @@ static int test__group_gh3(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 1 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* cycles:G + :u group modifier */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -1081,7 +1081,7 @@ static int test__group_gh4(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 1 == evlist->nr_groups);
 
 	/* cycles:G + :uG group modifier */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -1120,7 +1120,7 @@ static int test__leader_sample1(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 3 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 
 	/* cycles - sampling group leader */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -1173,7 +1173,7 @@ static int test__leader_sample2(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 2 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 
 	/* instructions - sampling group leader */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -1207,7 +1207,7 @@ static int test__leader_sample2(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 
 static int test__checkevent_pinned_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -1225,7 +1225,7 @@ static int test__pinned_group(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 3 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 
 	/* cycles - group leader */
-	evsel = leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
 			PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES == evsel->core.attr.config);
@@ -1251,7 +1251,7 @@ static int test__pinned_group(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_len(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_BREAKPOINT == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -1266,7 +1266,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_len(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_len_w(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 1 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_BREAKPOINT == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -1282,7 +1282,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_breakpoint_len_w(struct evlist *evlist)
 static int
 test__checkevent_breakpoint_len_rw_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
@@ -1294,7 +1294,7 @@ test__checkevent_breakpoint_len_rw_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_precise_max_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 2 == evlist->core.nr_entries);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_SOFTWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
@@ -1305,7 +1305,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_precise_max_modifier(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_config_symbol(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong name setting", strcmp(evsel->name, "insn") == 0);
 	return 0;
@@ -1313,7 +1313,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_config_symbol(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_config_raw(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong name setting", strcmp(evsel->name, "rawpmu") == 0);
 	return 0;
@@ -1321,7 +1321,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_config_raw(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_config_num(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong name setting", strcmp(evsel->name, "numpmu") == 0);
 	return 0;
@@ -1329,7 +1329,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_config_num(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_config_cache(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong name setting", strcmp(evsel->name, "cachepmu") == 0);
 	return 0;
@@ -1342,7 +1342,7 @@ static bool test__intel_pt_valid(void)
 
 static int test__intel_pt(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong name setting", strcmp(evsel->name, "intel_pt//u") == 0);
 	return 0;
@@ -1350,7 +1350,7 @@ static int test__intel_pt(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__checkevent_complex_name(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong complex name parsing", strcmp(evsel->name, "COMPLEX_CYCLES_NAME:orig=cycles,desc=chip-clock-ticks") == 0);
 	return 0;
@@ -1358,7 +1358,7 @@ static int test__checkevent_complex_name(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__sym_event_slash(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", evsel->core.attr.type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", evsel->core.attr.config == PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES);
@@ -1368,7 +1368,7 @@ static int test__sym_event_slash(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 static int test__sym_event_dc(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", evsel->core.attr.type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE);
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", evsel->core.attr.config == PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES);
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/perf-record.c b/tools/perf/tests/perf-record.c
index 199a664..401e8d1 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/perf-record.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/perf-record.c
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ int test__PERF_RECORD(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_unus
 	/*
 	 * Config the evsels, setting attr->comm on the first one, etc.
 	 */
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 	perf_evsel__set_sample_bit(evsel, CPU);
 	perf_evsel__set_sample_bit(evsel, TID);
 	perf_evsel__set_sample_bit(evsel, TIME);
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/switch-tracking.c b/tools/perf/tests/switch-tracking.c
index 30a70db..ffa592e 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/switch-tracking.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/switch-tracking.c
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ int test__switch_tracking(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_
 		goto out_err;
 	}
 
-	cpu_clocks_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	cpu_clocks_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	/* Second event */
 	err = parse_events(evlist, "cycles:u", NULL);
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ int test__switch_tracking(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_
 		goto out_err;
 	}
 
-	cycles_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	cycles_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	/* Third event */
 	if (!perf_evlist__can_select_event(evlist, sched_switch)) {
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ int test__switch_tracking(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_
 		goto out_err;
 	}
 
-	switch_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	switch_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	perf_evsel__set_sample_bit(switch_evsel, CPU);
 	perf_evsel__set_sample_bit(switch_evsel, TIME);
@@ -401,12 +401,12 @@ int test__switch_tracking(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_
 	switch_evsel->immediate = true;
 
 	/* Test moving an event to the front */
-	if (cycles_evsel == perf_evlist__first(evlist)) {
+	if (cycles_evsel == evlist__first(evlist)) {
 		pr_debug("cycles event already at front");
 		goto out_err;
 	}
 	perf_evlist__to_front(evlist, cycles_evsel);
-	if (cycles_evsel != perf_evlist__first(evlist)) {
+	if (cycles_evsel != evlist__first(evlist)) {
 		pr_debug("Failed to move cycles event to front");
 		goto out_err;
 	}
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ int test__switch_tracking(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_
 		goto out_err;
 	}
 
-	tracking_evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+	tracking_evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	perf_evlist__set_tracking_event(evlist, tracking_evsel);
 
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ int test__switch_tracking(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_
 	perf_evlist__config(evlist, &opts, NULL);
 
 	/* Check moved event is still at the front */
-	if (cycles_evsel != perf_evlist__first(evlist)) {
+	if (cycles_evsel != evlist__first(evlist)) {
 		pr_debug("Front event no longer at front");
 		goto out_err;
 	}
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/task-exit.c b/tools/perf/tests/task-exit.c
index 7fc39af..24565f8 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/task-exit.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/task-exit.c
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ int test__task_exit(struct test *test __maybe_unused, int subtest __maybe_unused
 		goto out_delete_evlist;
 	}
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 	evsel->core.attr.task = 1;
 #ifdef __s390x__
 	evsel->core.attr.sample_freq = 1000000;
diff --git a/tools/perf/ui/browsers/hists.c b/tools/perf/ui/browsers/hists.c
index 589168c..7a7187e 100644
--- a/tools/perf/ui/browsers/hists.c
+++ b/tools/perf/ui/browsers/hists.c
@@ -3319,13 +3319,13 @@ static int perf_evsel_menu__run(struct evsel_menu *menu,
 			switch (key) {
 			case K_TAB:
 				if (pos->core.node.next == &evlist->core.entries)
-					pos = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+					pos = evlist__first(evlist);
 				else
 					pos = perf_evsel__next(pos);
 				goto browse_hists;
 			case K_UNTAB:
 				if (pos->core.node.prev == &evlist->core.entries)
-					pos = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+					pos = evlist__last(evlist);
 				else
 					pos = perf_evsel__prev(pos);
 				goto browse_hists;
@@ -3417,7 +3417,7 @@ int perf_evlist__tui_browse_hists(struct evlist *evlist, const char *help,
 
 single_entry:
 	if (nr_entries == 1) {
-		struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 		return perf_evsel__hists_browse(first, nr_entries, help,
 						false, hbt, min_pcnt,
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/bpf-loader.c b/tools/perf/util/bpf-loader.c
index 37283e8..10c187b 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/bpf-loader.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/bpf-loader.c
@@ -1568,7 +1568,7 @@ struct evsel *bpf__setup_output_event(struct evlist *evlist, const char *name)
 			return ERR_PTR(-err);
 		}
 
-		evsel = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+		evsel = evlist__last(evlist);
 	}
 
 	bpf__for_each_map_named(map, obj, tmp, name) {
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/evlist.c b/tools/perf/util/evlist.c
index 559db38..e8f0357 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/evlist.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/evlist.c
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ struct evlist *perf_evlist__new_dummy(void)
  */
 void perf_evlist__set_id_pos(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	evlist->id_pos = first->id_pos;
 	evlist->is_pos = first->is_pos;
@@ -559,14 +559,14 @@ struct evsel *perf_evlist__id2evsel(struct evlist *evlist, u64 id)
 	struct perf_sample_id *sid;
 
 	if (evlist->core.nr_entries == 1 || !id)
-		return perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		return evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	sid = perf_evlist__id2sid(evlist, id);
 	if (sid)
 		return container_of(sid->evsel, struct evsel, core);
 
 	if (!perf_evlist__sample_id_all(evlist))
-		return perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		return evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	return NULL;
 }
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ static int perf_evlist__event2id(struct evlist *evlist,
 struct evsel *perf_evlist__event2evsel(struct evlist *evlist,
 					    union perf_event *event)
 {
-	struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist);
 	struct hlist_head *head;
 	struct perf_sample_id *sid;
 	int hash;
@@ -1222,7 +1222,7 @@ u64 perf_evlist__combined_branch_type(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 bool perf_evlist__valid_read_format(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist), *pos = first;
+	struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist), *pos = first;
 	u64 read_format = first->core.attr.read_format;
 	u64 sample_type = first->core.attr.sample_type;
 
@@ -1242,13 +1242,13 @@ bool perf_evlist__valid_read_format(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 u64 perf_evlist__read_format(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist);
 	return first->core.attr.read_format;
 }
 
 u16 perf_evlist__id_hdr_size(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist);
 	struct perf_sample *data;
 	u64 sample_type;
 	u16 size = 0;
@@ -1281,7 +1281,7 @@ u16 perf_evlist__id_hdr_size(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 bool perf_evlist__valid_sample_id_all(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist), *pos = first;
+	struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist), *pos = first;
 
 	evlist__for_each_entry_continue(evlist, pos) {
 		if (first->core.attr.sample_id_all != pos->core.attr.sample_id_all)
@@ -1293,7 +1293,7 @@ bool perf_evlist__valid_sample_id_all(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 bool perf_evlist__sample_id_all(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist);
 	return first->core.attr.sample_id_all;
 }
 
@@ -1568,7 +1568,7 @@ int perf_evlist__strerror_open(struct evlist *evlist,
 				    "Hint:\tThe current value is %d.", value);
 		break;
 	case EINVAL: {
-		struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist);
 		int max_freq;
 
 		if (sysctl__read_int("kernel/perf_event_max_sample_rate", &max_freq) < 0)
@@ -1630,7 +1630,7 @@ void perf_evlist__to_front(struct evlist *evlist,
 	struct evsel *evsel, *n;
 	LIST_HEAD(move);
 
-	if (move_evsel == perf_evlist__first(evlist))
+	if (move_evsel == evlist__first(evlist))
 		return;
 
 	evlist__for_each_entry_safe(evlist, n, evsel) {
@@ -1751,7 +1751,7 @@ bool perf_evlist__exclude_kernel(struct evlist *evlist)
 void perf_evlist__force_leader(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
 	if (!evlist->nr_groups) {
-		struct evsel *leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		struct evsel *leader = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 		perf_evlist__set_leader(evlist);
 		leader->forced_leader = true;
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/evlist.h b/tools/perf/util/evlist.h
index ad9c0ba..6529ad2 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/evlist.h
+++ b/tools/perf/util/evlist.h
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include <api/fd/array.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <internal/evlist.h>
+#include <internal/evsel.h>
 #include "events_stats.h"
 #include "evsel.h"
 #include <pthread.h>
@@ -242,14 +243,18 @@ static inline bool perf_evlist__empty(struct evlist *evlist)
 	return list_empty(&evlist->core.entries);
 }
 
-static inline struct evsel *perf_evlist__first(struct evlist *evlist)
+static inline struct evsel *evlist__first(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	return list_entry(evlist->core.entries.next, struct evsel, core.node);
+	struct perf_evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__first(&evlist->core);
+
+	return container_of(evsel, struct evsel, core);
 }
 
-static inline struct evsel *perf_evlist__last(struct evlist *evlist)
+static inline struct evsel *evlist__last(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
-	return list_entry(evlist->core.entries.prev, struct evsel, core.node);
+	struct perf_evsel *evsel = perf_evlist__last(&evlist->core);
+
+	return container_of(evsel, struct evsel, core);
 }
 
 size_t perf_evlist__fprintf(struct evlist *evlist, FILE *fp);
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/jitdump.c b/tools/perf/util/jitdump.c
index 9f9c6c6..1bdf4c6 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/jitdump.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/jitdump.c
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ jit_process(struct perf_session *session,
 	 * track sample_type to compute id_all layout
 	 * perf sets the same sample type to all events as of now
 	 */
-	first = perf_evlist__first(session->evlist);
+	first = evlist__first(session->evlist);
 	jd.sample_type = first->core.attr.sample_type;
 
 	*nbytes = 0;
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c b/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
index d7aebe9..d69ff74 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
@@ -1936,7 +1936,7 @@ int parse_events(struct evlist *evlist, const char *str,
 
 		perf_evlist__splice_list_tail(evlist, &parse_state.list);
 		evlist->nr_groups += parse_state.nr_groups;
-		last = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+		last = evlist__last(evlist);
 		last->cmdline_group_boundary = true;
 
 		return 0;
@@ -2050,7 +2050,7 @@ foreach_evsel_in_last_glob(struct evlist *evlist,
 	 * So no need to WARN here, let *func do this.
 	 */
 	if (evlist->core.nr_entries > 0)
-		last = perf_evlist__last(evlist);
+		last = evlist__last(evlist);
 
 	do {
 		err = (*func)(last, arg);
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/record.c b/tools/perf/util/record.c
index 8a015fc..8579505 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/record.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/record.c
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ static int perf_do_probe_api(setup_probe_fn_t fn, int cpu, const char *str)
 	if (parse_events(evlist, str, NULL))
 		goto out_delete;
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 	while (1) {
 		fd = sys_perf_event_open(&evsel->core.attr, pid, cpu, -1, flags);
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ void perf_evlist__config(struct evlist *evlist, struct record_opts *opts,
 		use_sample_identifier = perf_can_sample_identifier();
 		sample_id = true;
 	} else if (evlist->core.nr_entries > 1) {
-		struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		struct evsel *first = evlist__first(evlist);
 
 		evlist__for_each_entry(evlist, evsel) {
 			if (evsel->core.attr.sample_type == first->core.attr.sample_type)
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ bool perf_evlist__can_select_event(struct evlist *evlist, const char *str)
 	if (err)
 		goto out_delete;
 
-	evsel = perf_evlist__last(temp_evlist);
+	evsel = evlist__last(temp_evlist);
 
 	if (!evlist || perf_cpu_map__empty(evlist->core.cpus)) {
 		struct perf_cpu_map *cpus = perf_cpu_map__new(NULL);
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/sort.c b/tools/perf/util/sort.c
index a2308eb..43d1d41 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/sort.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/sort.c
@@ -2329,7 +2329,7 @@ static struct evsel *find_evsel(struct evlist *evlist, char *event_name)
 		if (nr > evlist->core.nr_entries)
 			return NULL;
 
-		evsel = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
+		evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
 		while (--nr > 0)
 			evsel = perf_evsel__next(evsel);
 
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/top.c b/tools/perf/util/top.c
index ef96e3d..3dce2de9 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/top.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/top.c
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ size_t perf_top__header_snprintf(struct perf_top *top, char *bf, size_t size)
 	}
 
 	if (top->evlist->core.nr_entries == 1) {
-		struct evsel *first = perf_evlist__first(top->evlist);
+		struct evsel *first = evlist__first(top->evlist);
 		ret += SNPRINTF(bf + ret, size - ret, "%" PRIu64 "%s ",
 				(uint64_t)first->core.attr.sample_period,
 				opts->freq ? "Hz" : "");