By Susan Hornik
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/27/25 – For many people attending the annual Goldenvoice’s Cruel World music festival, it’s hard to believe that the music they most cherished decades ago is still so much a part of their lives.
“Seeing these bands and hearing the songs from a different era brought me back to a prior time in life, when it was simpler, with very different priorities,” acknowledged attendee Samantha Allen.
“It was truly a flashback! Being there with all the folks who listen to the same music is like being in high school again and hanging out with your friends. It’s truly a special day.”
Kris Magner-Redemske, who attended the festival with her husband, looks forward to the event each year.
“Cruel World is the one weekend a year when all middle-aged, music-loving, goths, punks, and new wave synth fans get together from around the country, and even the globe, to see their favorite bands,” said Magner-Redemske.
“It is a kind of miracle that reaches into the past and pulls forward the best of what we all loved—alternative genres of music.”
For Magner-Redemske, Cruel World has become just as much about the friendships she has made in the festival’s passionate Facebook group, which was put together in 2020, when the event was postponed due to Covid and now has over 18,000 members.
“I love meeting like-minded people who go to live shows all the time, share interests, love and support each other, and go out of their way to meet in person, during this one glorious weekend in Pasadena, California. We will even make arrangements to meet up in different cities if we are traveling. It’s become a community, not just a festival!” she enthused.
This was Magner-Redemske’s fourth CW festival, which she has attended each year.
“The bands were amazing! How the hell did they get Blancmange back together and in America?! ‘Til Tuesday also talked about how they have not performed together for over 40 years!”
There were also younger bands at CW, which have that goth vibe.
“We’ve had TR/ST, Twin Tribes, and Molchat Doma at prior festivals, and this year saw Nation of Language and Actors. It’s pure heaven to get exposed to what’s up and coming in the same vein as the sound we grew up with.”
Cindy Zack was also still feeling the effects of the much-loved festival.
“My heart is full of musical joy! Cruel World never disappoints. Lots of amazing music, fantastically dressed people (mostly in black!) and this year’s weather event, rain! The music still makes my inner teenager happy!”
Zack enjoyed “dancing my ass off,” walking all over (4 football fields between Outsiders and Sad Girls stages) and clocked in 34K steps.
“This music festival is the ultimate workout, which is why The Whip It into Shape group was started. It has helped me to maintain a consistent fitness routine and allowed me to have the stamina and energy to survive a whole day at Cruel World. Yes, I was sore and achy the next day and actually felt like a middle-aged person. But I recovered quickly and am ready for next year!”
Bands like ACTORS that performed at CW had a fantastic time performing for the fans.
“It’s beyond an honor for ACTORS to share the stage with some of the greatest artists in our genre. So many of these bands have influenced and inspired us from the very beginning. Coming in from Canada, we feel a responsibility to bring our A-game and represent,” said Jason Corbett.
Midge Ure, who performed a myriad of songs from his former bands Ultravox and Visage, was impressed by the wide age range of people attending.
‘It’s a strange but satisfying sensation knowing that alternative and sometimes challenging music performed at Cruel World will be celebrated by an audience who will consist of a lot of people who weren’t born when most of these songs were created, said Ure.
“The relevance of good music goes beyond just one generation.”
Ure was deeply touched by how attendees responded. “Despite the Scottish weather the festival was a joy to do. I was taken aback by the response and song recognition by the audience.”
Added Blancmange’s Neil Arthur: “The ‘road’ to Cruel World for us was to say the least, not without its ridiculous twists and turns with many obstacles to be overcome. With help we did just that and we’re so bloody pleased we got to play at this amazing festival. It has been an honor and a privilege, both as performers and as spectators to be a part of.”
She Wants Revenge’s Adam Bravin grew up in the 80s and strongly resonates with that decades’ music.
“That era shaped everything for me. It wasn’t just the sound, it was the feeling. Bands like New Order, The Go-Go’s, Devo, Madness, ‘Til Tuesday, and OMD weren’t just making music, they were building entire worlds. Hearing them for the first time cracked something open in me. It changed how I listened, how I felt, how I understood what music could be. Those songs became part of my DNA.”
He continued: “To now be on the same stage as so many of the artists who defined that time is surreal and deeply meaningful. It’s a rare thing to be part of something that feels both personal and historic. Sharing space with the very musicians who helped shape my creative path is more than just exciting, it’s emotional. It reminds me why I started, and why I still love it.”
