Cruel World Festival is one of our absolute favorite times of the year. It makes our black little hearts happy when Pasadena transforms into a melting pot of goth nostalgia and post-punk energy. The weather gods always have their say—year one was a scorcher, year two ended in dramatic lightning strikes cutting the night short, and this year the rain took center stage. But honestly, it only enhanced the goth tone, adding an eerie beauty to the whole experience. Those still haunted by 2023’s abrupt ending held onto each other for support, but we made it through. Some performances soared, while others struggled to recapture their past magic.
These festivals are stacked, and heartbreak is inevitable. Want to see Devo? You’ll have to sacrifice part of Madness. Need Nick Cave? No Death Cult for you. The trek from stage to stage is real, so choose your battles wisely.
The Buzzcocks were our first must-see of the day. I hadn’t seen them since Pete Shelley passed, and his voice was so integral to their sound. Steve Diggle brought high-energy punk spirit, but something was missing. If you never saw Shelley live, this might do, but for longtime fans, the absence was felt. That said, they managed to stir up what I believe was the only circle pit of the day—impressive, considering it was the rainiest part of the festival. Had it been dry, it would have been even wilder.
We caught the tail end of ‘Til Tuesday’s historic set—their first reunion in 35 years! The original lineup brought a wave of nostalgia, and Aimee Mann, ever the perfectionist, confessed to taking voice lessons to reclaim the higher notes she once hit effortlessly. The key on “Voices Carry” was dropped slightly, but it worked. They ran a little long, and the stage revolved mid-song—leaving them to finish facing away from the crowd while OMD was set up and ready to go.
OMD delivered their signature synth-pop brilliance, with Andy McCluskey’s infectious energy keeping the audience engaged. Their set blended classics with newer material, though the slick stage forced a more restrained performance. Standouts? “Electricity” and “If You Leave” – pure electro bliss.
She Wants Revenge crafted an intoxicating atmosphere, their dark, brooding sound amplified by devoted fans screaming every word. I once dismissed them as Joy Division clones, but seeing them live, I get it now—they carry the torch with their own identity. For the punks, Tony Bradley of The Distillers has joined on guitar, giving them an even richer sound. They introduced a new song, *Black Wax, My Love,* which hit hard. They even brought out **AFI’s Hunter Burgan** for a cover of The Psychedelic Furs’ *Sister Europe*—a beautifully haunting moment.
Madness—ska at a goth fest? Damn right, and it was a welcome shift in energy! They kept the crowd moving, proving they belong at any festival. Kicking off with “One Step Beyond” they maintained a nonstop dance party.
Devo is simply one of the greatest bands of all time—and delivered exactly what you’d hope for: eccentric visuals, tight killer tunes, and a masterclass in de-evolution. Their performance was as polished and chaotic as ever, standing out in stark contrast to the gloom. They nailed every hit, and “Gates of Steel” plus “Smart Patrol/Mr DNA” were personal highlights.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – holy shit. I had never seen them live, and it was beyond anything I could’ve imagined. The closest festival experience I’ve had to this was Bauhaus at the first Cruel World—pure catharsis. “Spiritual experience” doesn’t even cover it. Nick was constantly crossing the barrier to interact with the crowd, backed by the Bad Seeds, who looked like a gang of sinister figures that could just as easily be members of Negative Approach—except dressed in suits and bolos. The addition of a choir elevated the whole performance. His voice and energy live is unmatched on any of the recordings, he is not to be missed.
The Go-Go’s were as the kids would say, “mid.” I love this band, but this wasn’t their best night. The energy was there, but the mix was harsh, leaving things sounding disjointed. Non-punks claimed, “It’s punk rock,” but no—punk rock has grit, this was more like lack of rehearsal, confusion, and a sound mix that needed serious fixing. Calling out the Go-Go’s isn’t easy—they’re legends (Belinda was in the Germs, for crying out loud!). At least their video package celebrating LA’s early punk flyers was a nice touch. What went wrong? I wish I knew.
New Order closed the night but struggled. Bernard Sumner’s vocals lacked spark, and even their Joy Division material fell flat. Sure, it’s two members of Joy Division playing some of the best songs ever written—but that night, something just wasn’t clicking.
Despite the ups and downs, Cruel World Festival 2025 gave us moments we won’t forget. Devo, OMD, and the true headliner—Nick Cave—proved why they are legends. Rain, chaos—whatever. This festival is a hell of a good time. See you next year.
All words Alex Napiwocki. All pics Alex Napiwocki except where noted.
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