Cruel Fest Spans Musical Genres Through Different Eras to Today
Photos courtesy of Golden Voice
The sprawling, massive Brookside at the Pasadena Rose Bowl was the site for the highly successful annual Cruel World festival on Saturday, May 17th. It was founded in 2020, and is organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents.
The emerging up-and-coming acts who performed earlier that day were later followed by popular and established musical artists as well as the reunited groups and seminal, iconic acts. The eclectic festival typically revolves around the new wave, post-punk, gothic rock and alternative rock genres. There were several stages continuously hosting live music. With so many bands that were spread across multiple stages, with very tight turnover times for fans of the acts, it could turn into tough choices to make. Thus become a logistical nightmare running around the park to see maybe a song or two then rush to catch a few minutes of another band. Nonetheless, the festival boasted some great performances with a fantastic sound and beautifully done, epic staging.
This LMN&R writer was on hand to catch Cruel World to see the music, talk to fans who have attended Cruel World and asked about the acts they most enjoyed seeing and the ones performing on the 17th and observe the scene in action. Concertgoers ranged in varying ages spanning generations. They wore clothing that reflected their choice of music and the style that went with it. The crowds grew bigger as the day got closer to the evening and co-headliners and headliners were about to perform. Unexpected cold, cloudy weather and eventually drizzle bordering on rain didn’t damper the spirits of throng of devotees. Most fans had makeshift lightweight rain jackets on and many stood under tented areas to check out the acts from afar.
The huge merchandise booths were buzzing with activity as well as the food trucks serving everything from burgers, donuts, pretzels, Thai to Mexican food, and more.
Actors and Social Order (both profiled before Cruel World took place at LMN&R) turned in strong, solid performances as did Deceits, an early Cure, goth, alternative rock-inspired band.
Light Asylum was a truly interesting and innovative act is Brooklyn, N.Y.-based electronic music project from Shannon Funchess. Funchess commanded the stage with 80s influenced electronic music that owns a nod to synth pop, post-punk and dark wave.
Depresión Sonora reached their audience on a personal level as the music tended to be foreboding and deal with themes like depression. The genre they fall into is considered mostly post-punk. Though Depresión Sonora has some influences that lean towards darkwave or even goth.
Alyson Moyet has a powerful bluesy contralto voice. The talented singer came to prominence as a member of the synth-pop duo Yazoo (known as Yaz in North America), but she has since mainly worked as a solo artist. Moyet wowed audiences with those brilliant bluesy-R&B influence pipes. One really felt the depth and breath of her songs. Moyet managed to creating a nostalgic feel at Cruel Fest, though musically a exploring more contemporary feel at the event.
Midge Ure is a striking singer/songwriter who has had success in the 1970s and 1980s in bands including Slik, Thin Lizzy, Rich Kids, Visage, and as the second bandleader of Ultravox. In 1984, he co-wrote and produced the charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Ure was famously responsible for putting together for the occasion the supergroup Band Aid. Ure gave a multi-faceted and dazzling performance at Cruel showcasing his prowess on electric guitar and gift crafting memorable songs.
From the video channel of mmmmmpopmusik
Blancmange is British synth pop duo featuring Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe that make wry and observational dance music. The songs were delivered in a sort of knowing, tongue-in-cheek way that is absurdly and dramatically delivered musically. It fun and catchy as it intoxicating and wildly entertaining.
Unfortunately due to not feeling well, I had to leave the Rose Bowl and return home. I truly wanted to see the Stereo M.C.’s, who were in the midst of their set, as I left the park. What I heard sounded really exciting and great. They had a huge, wildly enthusiastic crowd at their stage.
Unfortunately, I missed Dead Cult, who I have never seen live as with the same with She Wants Revenge, this LMN&R writer just did a pre-show coverage with them. Also the legendary Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, New Order, and OMD and others renowned acts such as Garbage, DEVO, Madness, The Buzzcocks and The Go-Go’s concluded the night’s music.
Til’ Tuesday for the first time in 35 years reunited for a one-time gig with the well-known, prolific singer/songwriter Aimee Mann back at the helm.
Til’ Tuesday SETLIST:
Maybe Monday
Love in a Vacuum
What About Love
Rip in Heaven
Looking Over My Shoulder
Coming Up Close
The Other End (Of the Telescope)
Drive (The Cars cover)
No More Crying
Don’t Watch Me Bleed
Voices Carry
From the video channel of mmmmmpopmusik
New Order setlist:
Transmission(Joy Division cover)
Age of Consent
Isolation (Joy Division cover)
Regret
State of the Nation
Sub-Culture
Bizarre Love Triangle
Plastic
True Faith
Blue Monday
Temptation
Encore:
Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division cover)
Despite a late afternoon exit from Cruel Fest, I was very impressed with the music. The event was put together so well and creatively. It was a thrill to immerse myself in different scenes of people who participated and came together to spend a special day and night at Cruel Fest. It gave thousands of fans a tremendous opportunity to listen to the acts they love as well as discovering new music, too.
OMD setlist:
Electricity
Secret
History of Modern (Part I)
(Forever) Live and Die
If You Leave
Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
Talking Loud and Clear
So in Love
Dreaming
Locomotion
Enola Gay
From the video channel of Luis Vladomir
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