It’s almost that time of year! The flowers are wilting and the Doc Martens are flooding into Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for one of the gloomiest celebrations of darkwave, post-punk and synth music at the fourth rendition of Cruel World Festival. Set to take place on Saturday, May 17th, 2025 with a haunting and rocking full-day lineup, the festival will cater to the darkest, dreamiest, and most restless of souls.
Whether you’re coming to groove or introspect on the sidelines, this year’s lineup is sure to make everyone happy (or melancholic, rather) with some classic legendary headlining acts such as New Order, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Go-Go’s, Devo, Buzzcoks, OMD, ‘Til Tuesday along with some modern day legends, Chelsea Wolfe, She Wants Revenge, and Nation of Language. The festival will also include some up and coming artists attendees won’t want to miss such as Depresión Sonora, Light Asylum, Wisteria and Deceits.
Pack your best parasol or poncho, as this event will take place rain or shine. The festival welcomes goths of all ages, with only the Club Doom clubhouse operating as a 21+ event space.
Venue doors will open at 11:30am with parking opening at 10:00am. Come early and get ready to dance, cry or sulk your day away with these historical and mesmerizing sets. Presented by Goldenvoice.
Find GA tickets, VIP and hotel packages on sale now at cruelworldfest.com
The Full Lineup
New Order
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
The Go-Go’s
Devo
OMD
Death Cult
Garbage
Madness
‘Til Tuesday
She Wants Revenge
Alison Moyet
Chelsea Wolfe
Blancmange
Mareux
Stereo MC’s
She Past Away
Buzzcocks
Nation of Language
Clan of Xymox
Provoker
Depresión Sonora
Kite
Midge Ure
N8NOFACE
Actors
Deceits
Light Asylum
Wisteria
Social Order
CLUB DOOM happening all day long