Goldenvoice’s celebration of dark wave, post punk and classic alternative returns to Southern California with a historic line-up.
Following a wildly successful 2022 installment that featured performances from the likes of Morrissey, Bauhaus, Blondie, DEVO, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Psychedelic Furs, Violent Femmes and many more, live entertainment authority Goldenvoice has introduced the 2023 line up for Cruel World and the billing nothing short of spectacular.
Slated to return to Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, Cruel World 2023 will feature the first North American set from post punk pioneer Siouxsie Sioux in some 15 years. Sharing that top billing, thye godfather of punk in Iggy Pop will also take to the CW stage.
Reiterating the stacked bill, Billy Idol is also confirmed along with the return of Echo & The Bunnymen for a second consecutive year. Adding to the significance of the show, Cruel World will include a set from a reunited Love & Rockets – marking the band’s first show in 15 years.
Showcasing the festival’s knack for crafting a carefully curated line-up where all of the artists from start to finish compliment one another, Cruel World finds a balance of nostalgia new wave and it’s contemporary iteration. The likes of Gary Numan, Gang of Four and Modern English are grouped with their stylistic successors like Russian outfit Molchat Doma, cinematic darkwave duo Boy Harsher and texas dark synth specialists Twin Tribes.
Additional standouts on the bill include submissions from dark trap pusher Gvllow, nostalgic sets from The Motels and Modern English plus, a can’t miss set from Luis Vasquez, better known as The Soft Moon who’s 2022 Exister full length was arguably one of the best release of the year – regardless of genre.
Cruel World goes down Saturday, May 20 at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Tickets for the festival go on sale FridayJanuary 27 – HERE
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