Guitars, Gratitude, and 90-Degree Heat: What Went Down at Just Like Heaven

Neither the scorching heat nor the long walks between stages stopped thousands of fans from gathering once again at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to celebrate the music that defined an era. The 2025 edition of Just Like Heaven felt like a generational reunion, where nostalgic millennials and young spirits surrendered to a sun-drenched day filled with memories and guitars.

From the start, the sun’s intensity turned every bit of shade into a golden refuge. “Just Like Heaven? More like Just Like Hell,” joked Beach Fossils’ Dustin Payseur on stage—and no one disagreed. But beyond the weather, the overall vibe was one of celebration and gratitude: everyone was there to pay homage to the anthems of Indie’s golden age.

The musical experience was divided between two main stages: Orion, which hosted acts like Slowdive, Perfume Genius, and The Drums; and Stardust, where bands like Bloc Party, Peter Bjorn and John, and Vampire Weekend lit up the crowd.

The lineup felt like an emotional time machine. Wild Nothing kicked things off with immersive synth-pop, while Toro y Moi turned the field into a sun-soaked dancefloor. Peter Bjorn and John had the entire audience whistling to “Young Folks.”

Later in the afternoon, Perfume Genius took to the Orion Stage just as the heat peaked. Mike Hadreas thanked the crowd for enduring the blazing sun with humour that landed well. His performance, subtle and restrained, offered a much-needed breath in the middle of the sun’s intensity.

Rilo Kiley dazzled in one of their rare live shows after nearly two decades, and Bloc Party had everyone on their feet with a high-octane hour of indie rock fury. 

An unexpected twist forced The Sounds to perform without their lead singer, Maja Ivarsson, who couldn’t enter the country due to visa issues. Stepping in with just a day’s notice, Shiny Toy Guns’ Cara Faye took the mic and was warmly welcomed by the crowd. For those unfamiliar with the original lineup, her performance was more than convincing—she kept the show’s energy alive and connected with the audience despite the last-minute change.

As night fell and a light breeze finally softened the heat, Empire of the Sun took the stage with their signature theatrics, paving the way for one of the most anticipated sets of the day: Vampire Weekend. The band delivered a flawless and emotional performance that fans won’t soon forget.

Ezra Koenig and company navigated seamlessly through their classics and new material from “Only God Was Above Us,” including a surprise cover of Tame Impala’s “The Less I Know the Better,” performed under a glowing purple backdrop that sparked collective euphoria.

The festival’s organisation also deserves praise, with spacious layouts, quality food vendors, and rest zones. Just Like Heaven was a musical postcard and a reminder of what can happen when music brings us together under the same blazing sky.