Catharsis & clove cigarettes at Cruel World 2023

Goldenvoice delivered another dose of poetic depth and darkwave to the apathetically inclined, in the form of the second annual Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, California. From near and far, New Wave-lovers, old-school punks, and all-out goths got together to celebrate the best synthy hits the 80s had to offer. Walking into the Rose Bowl, […]

Cruel World 2022

Oh, what a wonderful Cruel World it was! Presented by Goldenvoice, this nostalgic New Wave fest graced Pasadena’s Rose Bowl on Saturday, May 14th (with the same lineup repeating the next day). Arriving midday, Christian Death was already rocking the side stage, while Sextile was crushing the main Outsiders Stage. Despite the heat, people were […]

Goodbye, Cruel World 2022

As a next generation New Wave kid, when Goldenvoice announced a brand new festival for late Spring of 2020, my little black heart was overjoyed. Morrissey, Bauhaus, Echo & The Bunnymen — need I say more?! Cruel World was going to envelop my entire Spotify and Pandora streaming life, all into one day. And, then, […]

Goldenvoice’s Cruel World Fest to span two days May 2022

Announced mid-February of 2020, Goldenvoice’s Cruel World was supposed to capture the hearts of retro rockers everywhere in May. Well, the world had other plans (as we all are aware). The inaugural event — hyped beyond belief, with headliner Morrissey alongside Bauhaus, Blondie, Devo among others — offers a title even only more applicable now […]

Goldenvoice announces Cruel World Fest to hit Los Angeles

Goldenvoice, the leading west coast festival name, loves to continually spice things up. It seems every year, Goldenvoice organizes and carries out novel weekends of music with varying themes. Tropicalia Festival in Long Beach highlights Latino acts; One Love Cali Reggae Festival in the same location revolves around the finest in reggae rock; Camp Flog […]

BeachLife Fest 2019: Day Two

Day Two BeachLife Festival was upon Redondo Beach: one exciting day in the books, capped by Grateful Dead icon Bob Weir, and another yet to come for this first year fest. Saturday on the ocean brought with it perfect weather on May 4th, 2019. Attendees lined the entrance fence as opening band Latchkey Kid serenaded the early birds already inside. […]