Written by: Alex Green

The Cruel World festival, whose billing was pulled from the dreams of anyone who grew up loving alternative music in the ’80s, has been cancelled.

The Los Angeles event was to be headlined by Morrissey, Bauhaus, Blondie and Devo and additionally it was to feature sets by a murderers’ row of ’80s bands like Echo & The Bunnymen, The Psychedelic Furs, Violent Femmes, The Church, The English Beat, Public Image Ltd., Gary Numan, Marc Almond, Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel, Bad Manners, Berlin, Missing Persons, 45 Grave, London After Midnight, The Meteors and Christian Death.

The festival’s promoter Goldenvoice had moved Cruel World from May 2nd to September 12th, but made the decision today to pull the plug completely.

At this point an altogether new 2021 festival announcement is unlikely.

In a statement Goldenvoice wrote:

Dear World,

After much consideration and monitoring of the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are disappointed to announce Cruel World 2020 will not take place. All we want is to dance and sway to songs we love, but our number one priority is the health and safety of you and everyone involved in the festival. We appreciate your understanding, and we can’t wait to come together soon.

All 2020 tickets purchased through our official ticket provider Elevate will automatically be cancelled and refunded. Tickets will be refunded within 30 business days.

Stay safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you soon.