Duran Duran, Blondie, Simple Minds, Interpol to Headline 2024 Cruel World Festival

Pat Saperstein
·1 min read
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The Cruel World Festival featuring 1980s new wave mainstays as well as newer acts has been set for May 11 at Pasadena’s Brookside at the Rose Bowl venue, with Duran Duran as the headline performer.

The lineup for the daylong Goldenvoice event will also feature Interpol, Blondie, Simple Minds, Placebo, Soft Cell, Adam Ant and more acts to be announced later. In addition, Ministry will perform songs from “With Sympathy” and “Twitch,” while Gary Numan will play his first album, “The Pleasure Principle.”

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Jesus and Mary Chain, Heaven 17, the Stranglers and Tones on Tail are just a few of the other performers targeted to goths of all ages, new wavers, punks and original scenesters.

Duran Duran recently released their 16th studio album, “Danse Macabre,” which includes their interpretations of songs including “Paint It Black,” “Ghost Town” and “Psycho Killer.”

The supergroup Dreamcar, made up of AFI’s Davey Havok and No Doubt’s Tony Kanal, Tom Dumon and Adrian Young, will also perform their take on the new wave genre.

The 2023 edition saw rousing performances from Billy Idol, Gang of Four, Love and Rockets and more — and featured a dramatic ending as Iggy Pop’s set ended early amid a lightning storm. Numan, Pop and Siouxsie returned the next night to complete their sets, making it a two-day darkwave celebration.

Passes will go on sale Dec. 8 at noon PT at cruelworldfest.com, including access to the Clubhouse pass.


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