Cruel World Festival, Pasadena, CA May 14-15, 2022

Cruel World Festival was a 2 day music festival on May 14-15 2022. Each day was identical in performers and stage times, so I only attended one day, May 14. This inaugural festival was 2 years in the making and was brought to life by Goldenvoice. If you love alternative 80s music like I do, this festival was essential and hit all the marks! There was a little bit of picking and choosing who to see at what time and on what stage, which is par-for-the-course at any festival, but overall I don’t feel like I missed anyone that I had my heart set on seeing. Best In Show was Devo and Bauhaus, hands down! Echo & The Bunnymen didn’t make it to the festival, due to visa issues, but they were on all of the merch and posters for the festival. Bummer! Massive festival producers, Goldenvoice, have their festival game down to a science by now, and although I may not have loved them in the past, I willingly admit that they know how to throw a damn fine festival! Here are some highlights from the festival on Saturday May 14, 2022.