Brought new wave frenzy to Pasadena, including Simple Minds, Tone on Tail, and the Jesus and Mary Chain.
In the end, the weekend solar storm did not cancel this year’s Cruel World Festival, which will be held Saturday (May 11) at Brookside at Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Instead, bands like Duran Duran, Blondie and Simple Minds lit up the golf course with a fiery musical energy that’s all the more memorable after their long tenure. From Debbie Harry’s shimmering mirror cape to Duran Duran’s vibrant visuals, the festival’s 20-plus acts demonstrated that they are consummate performing professionals who continue to be loved by fans. Of course, it goes without saying that it’s still being played constantly at Trader Joe’s and on the radio. .
Last year’s edition of the goth-meets-new-wave-flavored festival faced disaster, with a lightning strike in the middle of Iggy Pop’s set and the vast venue being evacuated before Siouxsie could take the stage. This year, some attendees were nervous after last week’s Beachlife Festival was canceled due to strong winds and Saturday’s solar flare caused fluctuations in the power grid and satellites. But “Cruel World” went off without a hitch, with clear, breezy skies, the requisite amount of fishnet stockings and black leather, and an overall calm atmosphere.
With 30 bands spread out over three stages, even the most enthusiastic beginner won’t be able to sprint back and forth to catch them all. Given Britain’s strong line-up, priorities had to be made and difficult choices had to be made by those who hadn’t visited the US in a while.
The Stranglers, currently on their 50th anniversary tour, are left with just one original member after two original musicians passed away due to the pandemic. Original bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel deftly fronts the band, creating an unforgettable sound that combines early punk attitude with harpsichord tones and sweet pop songs like “Golden Brown,” which will keep you entertained for an afternoon. The audience was on their feet early in the day.
Gary Numan performed songs from his 1979 debut solo album, The Pleasure Principle, in contrast to his recent show at the Los Angeles Fonda, which focused on material from this century. The bright Pasadena sun may not be the ideal complement to his dark, industrial sensibilities, but he’s brought his daughters on stage, including recent British chart-topper Raven. The LA resident seemed at home with familiar songs.
The Jesus and Mary Chain perform, opening with ‘Jamquod’ from their latest album ‘Glasgow’, which has all the fuzz and feedback fans have come to expect, as the Scottish twofers take to the Sad Girls stage. Ta. Elegant vocalist Zanias was featured on “Just Like Honey” and “Sometimes Always.”
Next up was Simple Minds, performing in the US for the first time in six years and rallying the crowd with the same warm enthusiasm as Billy Idol, who shared the stage with him at last year’s Cruel World. Jim Kerr was a galvanizing force, with notable contributions from drummer Cherise Osei and vocalist Sarah Brown. This short set ranges from heavy rotation hits “Promised You a Miracle” and “(Don’t You) Forget About Me” to The Call’s “And the Walls Come Down.” Even the cover touches on the high points of the shimmering sound.
Soft Cell’s more dance-club approach was a marked change from Simple Minds’ large, soulful ensemble, but it’s still a no-brainer for longtime fans of “Nonstop Erotic Cabaret.” It was powerful. Songs from the seminal album dominated the set, and screens flashed footage of his neon-lit strip club, bringing the album cover to life. Marc Almond has been the poster boy for danceable, transgressive sleaze-pop for at least his 43 years, and his yearning torch songs set to heavy beats can hardly be classified as new wave or any other genre. . The band brought out New York’s “dystopian drug terrorist” Christine in death make-up as she gyrated and sang along to “Nighthawks” and “Sex Dwarf.”
Debbie Harry on the set of Blondies Cruel World
Blondie played a fairly long set by festival standards, with Debbie Harry belting out more than a dozen hits as darkness fell. A highlight was “Heart of Glass,” in which Harry wore a poncho covered in mirror shards, reflecting a glittering windowpane. Clem Burke’s drumming remains strong, and Harry’s inventive rap on “Rupture” is an emotional flashback to the Lower East Side of the late 1970s.
Duran Duran showed their staying power with a flashy, comprehensive set that never let up, starting with “The Chauffeur” and previewing the familiar James Bond theme song, “A View to a Kill.” In addition to a fun cover of “White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It),” the band performed a mashup of “Girls on Film” and “Psycho Killer” with audience participation. Wearing silver jeans and a new-wave chartreuse biker jacket, Simon Le Bon passionately throws himself on set and is thoughtful as he dedicates “No Ordinary Love” to the people of Ukraine, Palestine and Israel. It made a noise. After the audience lit up the sky with their phone lights and sang along to “Save a Prayer,” Duran Duran closed out their set with “Rio.” It was clear that the band had been a meaningful part of many fans’ lives over the years.
Elsewhere on stage, Interpol, one of the newer acts (by Cruel World standards), performed some solid new wave-influenced songs, while Moby said Heaven 17 I showed up to see them perform “Groove Tongue”. Tones on Tail, Adam Ant, The Faint, General Public, Ministry, and Placebo took Gen Just a few of the other artists that were adjacent to that era. long dance party.