Cruel World Festival is set to return to Pasadena on May 17, 2025, transforming the historic Brookside at the Rose Bowl into a gathering of post-punk and new-wave royalty. Topping the lineup are Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and New Order, two iconic acts that have defined alternative music for decades. This one-day festival from Goldenvoice promises to deliver once again a carefully curated collection of dark anthems, emotional gravitas, and danceable dystopia.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds take the stage in the final leg of their North American tour, supporting their highly anticipated eighteenth studio album, Wild God. Known for their brooding intensity and poetic lyricism, Cave and his band continue to push the boundaries of rock, blending haunting narratives with an atmospheric sound that remains singular in its emotional depth. Their Cruel World set marks the final stop of this tour, offering fans a cathartic culmination of their journey through Wild God‘s dark and stirring landscapes.
New Order, too, promises a headlining set of synth-driven grandeur. The band, now featuring Bernard Sumner and other original members, continues to enchant audiences with their fusion of electronic beats and post-punk melancholia. Though Peter Hook is not part of the lineup, their live performances still carry the weight of a band whose influence can be felt across generations of alternative music.
Joining these headliners is a stellar collection of acts spanning eras of new wave, post-punk, darkwave, and alternative rock. Fresh off their performance at California’s Ohana Festival, Garbage will take the stage with renewed energy. Shirley Manson, who attended Cruel World in 2023 as a fan to witness Siouxsie’s only North American performance, returns with her bandmates Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig. With their eighth studio album set for a 2025 release, Garbage is primed to deliver a set that brims with electronic tension, grungy guitar riffs, and Manson’s searing vocals.
A significant reunion takes place with Til Tuesday, led by Aimee Mann, performing together for the first time in 35 years. This original lineup promises to revisit the shimmering sounds that made them an indelible part of the ’80s musical landscape, with “Voices Carry” sure to send waves of nostalgia through the crowd. Mann, whose solo career has garnered critical acclaim, returns to her roots for this rare reunion, a highlight for longtime fans of the band.
The Go-Gos, icons of punk-pop rebellion, will also reunite for the festival, marking their first live show since disbanding in 2022. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, the Go-Gos helped carve a path for women in rock, blending catchy melodies with a DIY ethos. Their hits like “We Got the Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed” remain timeless, and their return to the stage promises an infectious energy that will have the crowd dancing in the sun.
Perhaps one of the festival’s most anticipated performances comes from Death Cult. Before they morphed into The Cult and achieved mainstream success, Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy’s early project was a dark and primal force in the post-punk scene. At Cruel World, Death Cult will resurrect their gothic roots for what promises to be their only California show of the year, delivering tracks like “Gods Zoo” with all the mystique and raw energy that defined their early years. (Read our interview with Ian Astbury talking about the 2023 40 Anniversary of Death Cult show here)
Elsewhere on the bill, British stalwarts Madness and Buzzcocks bring their rebellious anthems to the mix, ensuring that the festival retains its edge with a dose of irreverent, ska and high-energy punk. The San Fernando Valley’s darkwave duo She Wants Revenge, known for their moody, post-punk revival sound, will make Cruel World their only stop of 2025, adding another layer of dark romance to the festival’s lineup.
See the full lineup below:
Additionally, Club Doom will once again host an all-day dance party at the festival.
Last year’s edition of Cruel World saw the likes of Duran Duran, Blondie, and The Jesus and Mary Chain dominate the stages, setting a high bar for this year’s iteration. But with a lineup that balances legendary acts with rare reunions and darkwave stalwarts, the 2025 festival promises to leave its own mark on the sonic landscape.
Passes go on sale Friday at 11 a.m., with a presale for past attendees starting Thursday. VIP tickets, which include access to air-conditioned lounges, are available for those looking to indulge in some festival luxury.
Register now for access to passes at Cruelworldfest.com.
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