So Long, Cruel World? Festival with Bauhaus, Blondie, Devo, Echo and the Bunnymen, and More Canceled

Due to the “ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic” California-based concert promoter Goldenvoice has canceled the  Cruel World festival in Los Angeles, which would have seen an unprecedented convergence of bands sharing a bill together and celebrating the 1980s alternative era. The lineup was topped by legends such as Bauhaus, Blondie, and Devo, PiL, Echo and the Bunnymen, along with younger acts such as Sextile and Drab Majesty.

Goldenvoice posted on the event’s website that they “we are disappointed to announce Cruel World 2020 will not take place.”

Currently, no plans for a reschedule festival for 2021 has been announced at this time.

Furthermore, it has been announced by the festival organizers that all tickets “purchased through our official ticket provider Elevate” will be canceled and automatically refunded within 30 business days.

During mid March, the early weeks of the global pandemic, Goldenvoice had rescheduled the event, moving it from May 2nd, to Sept. 12th.

Cruel World, previously scheduled to take place at The Grounds at Dignity Health Sports Park, was also to have featured performances by The Psychedelic Furs, Violent Femmes, The Church, The English Beat, Gary Numan, Marc Almond, Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel, Bad Manners, Berlin, Missing Persons, 45 Grave, London After Midnight, The Meteors and Christian Death, and more.

Here’s the full note from Goldenvoice:

Dear World,

After much consideration and monitoring of the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are disappointed to announce Cruel World 2020 will not take place. All we want is to dance and sway to songs we love, but our number one priority is the health and safety of you and everyone involved in the festival. We appreciate your understanding, and we can’t wait to come together soon.

All 2020 tickets purchased through our official ticket provider Elevate will automatically be cancelled and refunded. Tickets will be refunded within 30 business days.

Stay safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you soon.