Vampire Weekend will headline the main stage at Just Like Heaven Festival on May 10, 2025, but for many fans, the reunion of coheadliners Rilo Kiley is definitely more rare and possibly more thrilling.
Rilo Kiley, which hasn’t played live in more than 15 years, is fronted by singer-guitarist Jenny Lewis, who last year headlined the festival at Brookside at the Rose Bowl as part of the reunited Postal Service.
“We are so very excited to come back together for Just Like Heaven in Pasadena, California — Los Angeles,” Rilo Kiley members said in a written statement. “As a band, we began here, and we feel so fortunate to return among so many artists and friends, to this community we hold so dear, in such a beautiful and meaningful place.”
In addition to Rilo Kiley and Vampire Weekend, whose singer-guitarist Ezra Koenig made a guest appearance with Phoenix in 2024, Just Like Heaven will include performances by indie favorites such as Empire of the Sun, TV On The Radio, the Drums, Toro y Moi, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Also appearing are Grouplove, Perfume Genius, the Sounds, Panda Bear, and Beach Fossils.
Shoegazers Slowdive are billed as “very special guests.” Several high-profile acts are celebrating significant anniversaries, including the 20th anniversaries of both Bloc Party’s “Silent Alarm” and Peter Bjorn and John’s “Writer’s Block, and the 10th anniversary of Courtney Barnett’s “Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit.”
In addition, Hercules & Love Affair, Ra Ra Riot, the Sounds, Them Jeans, and Wild Nothing will play.
The recent Southern California wildfires remained in mind for the festival, which takes place just west of the devasting Eaton Fire which killed at least 17 and destroyed thousands of structures in nearby Altadena.
“We are looking forward to playing in Pasadena with so many friends in May,” members of TV on the Radio said in a written statement. “With L.A. still experiencing these devastating fires, we are sending our love and support to all those in the Altadena and Palisades area who have been affected by the catastrophic fires. We love you, L.A.”
Goldenvoice’s Pasadena festivals, which also include Cruel World Festival on May 3, 2025, in partnership with the Rose Bowl Operating Company, have donated $250,000 to Eaton fire relief. In addition, first responders verified through GOVX.com, can receive up to two GA passes for Just Like Heaven while supplies last.
Tickets for the festival go on sale at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 through JustLikeHeavenfest.com. GA passes start at $175 plus fees and VIP passes begin at $399 plus fees. Clubhouse passes are $649 plus fees. Payment plans are available for a limited time.
In addition, the festival has changed the age at which children are admitted free with a ticketed parent or guardian. Now, kids 10-years-old or younger do not need a pass, an increase from the former age limit of 5-years-old.