Goldenvoice, the premier California music promoter and subsidiary of AEG Presents, has announced the return of Cruel World Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Brookside at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The single-day event will showcase influential alternative music acts spanning multiple decades.
“Cruel World festival proved once again that post-punk and new wave nostalgia is alive and well in Southern California,” reported LA Magazine. “Cruel World brought with it a day of legendary artists and endless self-expression,” added i-D Magazine, describing the event as “…an epic day-long dance party,” according to Variety.
New Order and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will headline the event, marking the final stop of Nick Cave’s North American The Wild God Tour supporting their highly-acclaimed 18th studio album “Wild God.” The lineup features notable reunions, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Go-Go’s and new wave pioneers ‘Til Tuesday, performing together for the first time in 35 years with original members.
Additional performers include Devo, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Garbage, Madness, and Alison Moyet. Death Cult — which became The Cult in 1984 — featuring Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy reviving their pre-Cult material, will make their only confirmed California appearance of 2025. Valley legends She Wants Revenge have announced Cruel World as their exclusive 2025 performance.
Registration is required for ticket access. Ticket sales began Friday, October 25 at www.cruelworldfest.com.
Payment plans start at $49.99 down. Multiple ticket tiers are available, including GA+ passes featuring dedicated entry lanes and exclusive lounges, VIP access, and Clubhouse passes offering air-conditioned facilities with panoramic views and intimate upfront guest viewing areas at both stages.
