PHOTOGRAPHS BY RYAN BOUSSARD

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | PHOENIX, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

The one-day Just Like Heaven festival returned to Pasadena on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 for its fifth year, and it definitely felt like a high school reunion for fans of early 2000s alternative music. Organized by Goldenvoice, this incredible festival at the beautiful Brookside at The Rose Bowl brought together a stellar lineup of 21 artists and bands, including headliners The Postal Service, Phoenix, and Death Cab for Cutie. From the moment the gates opened, attendees were treated to a nostalgic yet vibrant atmosphere that celebrated both the past and the present of indie rock.

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | FESTIVAL GROUNDS, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

The festival's lineup was a dream come true for fans of indie royalty. The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie, both featuring Ben Gibbard, delivered mesmerizing performances as part of their 20th Anniversary Tour, celebrating the iconic albums "Give Up" and "Transatlanticism." Phoenix, alongside acts like Passion Pit, The War on Drugs, and Two Door Cinema Club, kept the energy high with their synth-inflected sounds. The crowd was a mix of millennials reliving their youth and newer fans discovering these timeless bands for the first time, creating a unique and electrifying vibe.

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | FESTIVAL GROUNDS, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

Just Like Heaven's atmosphere was remarkably chill and family-friendly, with many attendees bringing along their children, making it a festival experience like no other. Despite the challenges of choosing between overlapping sets, the festival's layout and scheduling allowed for a relaxed day of music enjoyment. Highlights included standout performances by Alvvays, Tegan and Sara, and Metric, each bringing their unique sound and energy to the stage. As the sun set and the final notes of Miike Snow's exhilarating set filled the air, it was clear that Just Like Heaven 2024 had once again lived up to its name, offering a heavenly escape into the best of indie music's past and present.

PHANTOGRAM

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | PHANTOGRAM, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

MIIKE SNOW

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | MIIKE SNOW, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

ALVVAYS

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | ALVVAYS, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

CSS

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | CSS, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

METRIC

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | METRIC, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

PASSION PIT

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | PHASSION PIT, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

PHOENIX

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | PHOENIX, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

SLEIGH BELLS

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | SLEIGH BELLS, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

TEGAN AND SARA

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | TEGAN AND SARA, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

THE WAR ON DRUGS

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | THE WAR ON DRUGS, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

WARPAINT

JUST LIKE HEAVEN 2024 | WARPAINT, PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN BUSSARD FOR A BOOK OF

Nostalgia was a palpable force throughout the day, both for the audience and the performers. Many bands acknowledged the sentimental journey of playing these songs again, often remarking on how these tracks defined an era for both themselves and their fans. Phoenix's Thomas Mars likened the experience to a high school reunion, while Tegan and Sara reflected on the surreal nature of performing in front of longtime fans who have grown with them. This sense of shared history and emotional connection created an intimate, almost familial atmosphere, making Just Like Heaven 2024 not just a festival, but a heartfelt celebration of a musical era that continues to resonate deeply.