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AEG Presents launches Milton Keynes Bowl festival

AEG Presents is debuting a one-day alternative music festival at The National Bowl, Milton Keynes.

Forever Now will launch on 22 June next year and will be the UK sister event of US festival Cruel World, with lineup details to be revealed next week. Tickets start at £85 (€102).

Dedicated to post-punk music, fashion and literature, the gathering will feature two music stages, as well as a third stage, The Echo Chamber, hosted by music journalist John Robb.

“We are delighted to present a festival that reflects the rich heritage of artists in the alternative music field,” says AEG UK CEO Steve Homer. “The day will feature some amazing artists, unique sets, and collaborations not seen on a UK stage before. As the birthplace of alt counterculture, the UK is the perfect home for a festival to pay homage to alternative creative artistry.’’

The Echo Chamber stage will explore the artistry, movement and culture through in-depth discussions with renowned artists.

“If you feel a nostalgia for an age yet to come whilst still seeking the classic and have a curiosity for the next wave, then this will be a day to get immersed in,” says Robb.

Manchester’s Outbreak Festival will form part of the lineup for AEG’s new Lido Festival in Victoria Park

Presented by AEG’s Goldenvoice division, the promoter behind Coachella and Stagecoach Festival, Cruel World is held annually at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Its fourth iteration is slated for 17 May 2025, headlined by New Order and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Other acts will include The Go-Go’s, Devo, OMD, Death Cult, Garbage, Madness, ‘Til Tuesday, She Wants Revenge and Alison Moyet.

Earlier this year, AEG partnered with Yungblud to launch one-day festival BludFest, also at Milton Keynes Bowl. Prices were capped at £49.50 for the multi-genre event, which was headlined and curated by the singer-songwriter.

Meanwhile, the firm has revealed that Manchester’s Outbreak Festival will form part of the lineup for its new Lido Festival in London’s Victoria Park next summer. Described as “the biggest outdoor event led by hardcore acts that the UK’s ever had”, the 13 June gathering will be topped by a UK exclusive performance by Turnstile, as well as acts such as Alex G, Sunny Day Real Estate, Danny Brown, Fleshwater, Have A Nice Life and Knocked Loose.

The inaugural London edition will be followed by a two-day event at Outbreak’s usual home of Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester on 14-15 June, headlined by Knocked Loose & Alex G.

 


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Morrissey, Blondie to head up new Goldenvoice fest

The inaugural edition of Cruel World festival is taking place in Los Angeles this May, marking the newest addition to the Goldenvoice portfolio.

Morrissey, Blondie, Bauhaus, Devo, Echo and the Bunnymen and the Psychedelic Furs are among acts performing at the one-day event on 2 May at the Grounds at Dignity Health Sports Park (27,000-cap.), LA.

Promoted by AEG’s Goldenvoice, Cruel World adds to the organiser’s stable of California festivals, which includes Coachella, this year headlined by Travis Scott, Frank Ocean and Rage Against the Machine, and country music event Stagecoach Festival.

Goldenvoice also operates multiple venues in Los Angeles and the Bay Area and promotes over 1,400 concerts a year in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada, in addition to recently promoting a number of North American tours, including dates by K-pop stars Blackpink.

Tickets for Cruel World festival go on sale on Friday 14 February at midday pacific time, with the presale beginning the day before. Prices start from US$135.

 

 


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