Cruel World, the California festival that leans heavy on ’80s alternative and new wave, has announced its 2025 edition which happens May 17 at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. New Order and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds headline, and also on the bill are The Go-Go’s, Devo, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Death Cult, Garbage, Madness, ‘Til Tuesday, Blancmange, She Wants Revenge, Alison Moyet, Chelsea Wolfe, Mareux, Stereo MC’s, She Past Away, Buzzcocks, Nation of Language, Clan of Xymox, Provoker, Depresion Sonora, Kite, Midge Ure, N8NOFACE, Actors, Deceits, Light Asylum, Wisteria, and Social Order.
Tickets for the one-day festival go on sale Friday, October 25 at 11 AM Pacific
‘Til Tuesday is Aimee Mann’s former band, who had a huge hit with 1985’s “Voices Carry,” and Cruel World marks the group’s first performance in 35 years with the original members.
Death Cult was Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy’s gothy precursor to The Cult who only released a single, “God’s Zoo,” and an EP in 1983 before shortening their name and turning into riff rockers. They reformed for a 2023 show in LA and a UK tour.
Blancmange, who had ’80s alternative radio hits with “Living on the Ceiling” and “Don’t Tell Me,” haven’t played the US in decades.
Stereo MC’s will be on the East Coast in January for their first US shows in 24 years.