Live, in Photos: Cruel World 2023 with Siouxsie, Iggy Pop, Gang of Four, and More

EventsLive, In Photos

Live, in Photos: Cruel World 2023 with Siouxsie, Iggy Pop, Gang of Four, and More

Gary Numan, Love and Rockets, Boy Harsher, Billy Idol, and more from the event’s second year in Pasadena.

Photos: Kevin Allen

Additional photos: Pooneh Ghana and Coen Rees

May 22, 2023

Cruel World festival returned to Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the second year of post-punk, goth, and new wave greats past and present. This year's edition included the extra special allure of Siouxsie's first US show in 15 years, as well as Iggy Pop, Echo & the Bunnymen, Gang of Four, Gary Numan, Human League, and Love and Rockets (also playing their first show in 15 years). The one-day festival did not go as planned, however, as the artists were forced to evacuate after a severe weather and impending lightning storm alert, just as Iggy Pop and Human League were only a few songs into their sets.

The show must go on, however. Somehow, someway, the festival managed to bring back Siouxsie and Iggy for full sets on Sunday for all ticket holders (including an additional set from Numan), while fans who were unable to make it back were also offered partial refunds. Props to Goldenvoice for navigating through these conditions and warming the hearts of the many thousands of music lovers in the Southland (and around the world) who came to witness Siouxsie's return and this one-of-a-kind festival.

FLOOD photographer Kevin Allen was there to capture the action—check out his photo recap below (with additional shots by Pooneh Ghana and Coen Rees as noted) below.