New Order, Nick Cave lead 2025 Cruel World Festival headliners

The event returns to Pasadena in May 2025

Goldenvoice announces the highly-anticipated return of the Cruel World Festival on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Brookside at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This year’s single-day festival will feature headlining performances from New Order and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, alongside legendary acts The Go-Go’s, Devo, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Death Cult, Garbage, Madness, ‘Til Tuesday, She Wants Revenge, Alison Moyet, and many more!

Cruel World marks the final stop of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ North American The Wild God Tour in support of their highly-acclaimed 18th studio album Wild God. The festival also celebrates long-awaited reunions, including the assembly of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honorees The Go-Go’s and the trailblazing new wave band ‘Til Tuesday, performing for the first time in 35 years with its original members.

Fans can also look forward to the return of Death Cult (later The Cult in 1984) as frontman Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy plan to revive the band’s original discography for their only confirmed California performance of the year. Additionally, Los Angeles Valley legends She Wants Revenge declared they will only play at Cruel World in 2025.

Register now for access to passes on sale Friday, October 25th at 11 am PT on Cruelworldfest.com. Payment plans are available for a limited time at only $49.99 down. Dark and devoted fans who were the original purchasers of passes for past Cruel Worlds can register and unlock access to a past purchaser presale that begins on Thursday, October 24th at 11 am PT.

GA+, GA+ lounge, VIP, and Clubhouse options are available. With the Clubhouse Pass, fans have access to a centrally located, indoor air-conditioned hideaway that has panoramic views of the festival grounds. This pass also grants exclusive access to an intimate upfront guest viewing area at both stages.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn