Cruel World 2024 Photos: Duran Duran, Blondie, Ministry

Raymond Ahner

May 13, 2024 | 1:29pm ET

Now in its third year, the 2024 installment of the Cruel World festival took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, May 11th, with arguably its biggest lineup to date. Perfect weather provided the backdrop to a huge selection of bands and artists, including Duran Duran, Blondie, Ministry, Interpol, and Gary Numan.

The day began with electro-synth inspired bands such as Adult., Harsh Symmetry, and Leathers before the lineup introduced ’80s icons The Motels and The Mission UK, the latter of whom delivered a high-energy set featuring “Wasteland,” “Tower of Strength,” and “Deliverance.”

Across the festival grounds, the Outsiders Stage featured Gary Numan (who only played songs from his The Pleasure Principle LP) Adam Ant, and Dream Car (the supergroup consisting of AFI frontman Davey Havok and No Doubt members Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, and Adrian Young).

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Ministry’s set proved to be a clear festival highlight — the band kicked off their set with “Work for Love” before tearing through a nine-song setlist of material primarily from their early With Sympathy and Twitch synth-pop albums. Al Jourgensen and company performed as a 13-piece band for the afternoon, with backing vocals and strings. By the time they wrapped up their set with the seminal “(Everyday Is) Halloween,” it was quite evident that the band’s early songs were a smashing success.

After Marc Almond delivered some of Soft Cell’s most iconic songs, including “Memorabilia,” “Seedy Films,” and ‘Sex Dwarf,” (with “terrorist” drag queen Christeene Vale), Blondie hit the stage, and also delivered one of the best sets of the day. Debbie Harry and company treated the fans to such classics as “One Way or Another,” “Call Me,” and “Dreaming,” among others.

Following a brief intermission on the Outsiders Stage, it was time for Duran Duran, who most certainly did not disappoint the sea of fans that were there to see them close out the festival. Their setlist was filled with their biggest hits, including “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “The Wild Boys,” and “The Reflex.”

Scroll through the exclusive images from Cruel World Festival 2024 below.

Photo Gallery – 2024 Cruel World Festival (click to expand and scroll through):