Cruel World Festival Announces ’80s-Centric Inaugural Lineup Featuring Bauhaus, Morrissey and Devo

The Cruel World Festival has announced its first ever lineup featuring Bauhaus, Morrissey, DEVO, as well as others. The single day festival will take place on Saturday, May 2, at The Grounds at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles.

Former frontman of The Smiths, Morrissey will be the festival’s big name headliner. The singer, songwriter, and author has enjoyed a very successful solo career after his time with The Smiths; Morrissey will be releasing his thirteenth solo album since 1988, I Am Not Dog on a Chain, this upcoming March, and will be bringing his new music to Cruel World. Morrissey has remained active throughout his career, as his last album, California Sun, was released just last Summer in July of 2019.

Formed in Northampton, England, Bauhaus made a legacy for themselves in the early 1980’s as early pioneers of gothic rock. Though they split up in 1983, the band formed up again in 2008 to record their fifth studio album Go Away White, and toured together last year for the first time in 13 years. The band recently announced reunion shows in Dallas and Chicago to occur this Summer in July.

Akron-based DEVO hit the Billboard Hot 100 with their hit “Whip It” that soared to number 14 in 1980. The quintessential 1980’s hit propelled the band into a successful career, with 9 studio albums being recorded from 1970-2010. The band has played reunion shows throughout the 2010’s, and has denied any plans to embark on an official farewell tour.

Other notable acts include English singer/songwriter Gary Numan and The Psychedelic Furs. Numan has released an astounding 21 solo albums since 1979, and the singer is not slowing down; he recently announced the release of his new album When The Sun Came Down that will take place with The Skaparis Orchestra. Founded in 1977, British new wave band The Psychedelic Furs are set to release their first new album, Made of Rain, that will be released May 1st.

Check out the official Cruel World Festival flyer below:

Photo Credit: Ekaterina Gorbacheva

Drew Feinerman: I have just completed my senior at the University of Michigan majoring in international studies with an emphasis in political economics and development, with a minor in Chinese language and culture, and I have recently been accepted into the Berklee School of Music's masters of music business program. Although my academic interests include economics, political science, and history, I consider music to be my one true passion. Music is, and has always been, a driving force for the way I think and act every day of my life. I have been playing the tenor saxophone since the age of ten, and playing an instrument at a high level has allowed me to only further my understanding and appreciation for music. While I grew up listening to predominantly classic rock, I soon found myself gravitating toward jazz, hip-hop, funk, and other genres, as my learned to both play and analyze music as a listener. As a writer, I am able to apply my skills both as a musician and a listener, and look forward to the opportunity to being able to express my thoughts on various stories in the music industry.
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