Show Me How You Do That Trick
Emma Cianciola | A&E EDITOR
September 03, 2026
On the humid dust filled afternoon of Aug. 22, the seven year old festival Just Like Heaven came to life at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Indie and alternative music lovers alike could indulge in artists ranging from iconic bands like The Strokes, LCD SoundSystem, and TV Girl, to smaller acts that take up just as much space such as the audacious George Clanton and the dreamy bubble gum pop provided by Coco & Clair Clair.
The festival was brought to us by Goldenvoice, the same big time music event production company behind Coachella and Stagecoach. Just Like Heaven was created as a one-day nostalgia fix for those itching to hear hits from the ‘2000s and 2010s. The atmosphere and lineup is typically curated towards millennials who yearn for the revival of the indie sleaze scene.
This year’s Just Like Heaven festival took place in near 100 degree heat, functioning in a spiral of nonstop dust between and during each set. Creating the initial vibe of the festival was Coco & Clair Clair who took a hold of the event at Stardust Stage. The Atlanta based duo bounced and twirled around stage singing their starry eyed tunes. Singing hits like “Crushcrushcrush,” “Kate Spade,” “My Girl,” and the classic fan favorite “Pretty.” Fans huddled around simultaneously bobbing their heads and hips while fanning themselves with the free festival fans complimentary to try to beat the heat. Festival goers wore skirts of all lengths, funky hats, boots ranging from platform to stiletto, and an ever so needed collection of diverse sunglasses.
Almost immediately after Coco & Clair Clair, George Clanton began his set. Clanton sang favorites such as “Livin’ Loose,” “I Been Young,” and “Warmpop.” The singer’s performance was half music half comedy show, harmlessly mocking the crowd exclaiming, “Hey, this one’s from TikTok!” poking fun at his own song trends. Clanton threw dozens of water balloons out into the crowd in the middle of songs. The young artist kept the energy at an all time high, while providing brief seconds of cooldown thanks to the exploding water balloons and water guns backstage members were given.
Heading towards Orion Stage, bands like Dayglow, TV Girl, and The Strokes were preparing to inhabit. Dayglow delivered a nostalgic bedroom-pop-packed set. Fans populated the grass in front of the Orion Stage setting up a rainbow of picnic blankets buzzing along to the soft beats, truly enjoying their time at the festival. Most, if not all, music lovers are surrounded by partners or groups of friends, even some families with young ones nodding along on top of parents shoulders. TV Girl takes the stage following Dayglow.
TV Girl granted its crowd another memorable performance claiming themselves as a newly self-titled “Legacy act.” Fans swayed and sang along in awe appreciating the cozy atmosphere the band had provided for their listeners. TV Girl played their greatest hits such as “The Blonde,” “Not Allowed,” and the iconic “Lovers Rock.” George Clanton had joined the band on stage singing their featured song “2000s Summer Baby.” Later the artist Jordana, who occasionally plays bass or electric guitar with the band, took center stage singing her solo trance-like tunes.
LCD SoundSystem contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the night, playing favorite after favorite. “Dance Yrself Clean” had the swaying sardine-tin packed crowd dancing as much as they could being shoulder to shoulder.
Towards this point of the night, festival attendees were dropping like flies, whether from the scorching heat of the sun mixed with sweaty dancing bodies, the dust that had colored your snot dark, or the drinks that were terribly overpriced but necessary in bulk. LCD SoundSystem then carried on with their dance punk/synth rock set, lights flashing left, right, back and forth, each musician putting their all into their instrument to the point where the crowd members could physically feel the bass rattling in their chest. Song by song, each bounced and canned party animal being escorted out, the festival prepares for the main headliners, The Strokes, to take stage.
Finally, at 9:40 P.M., The Strokes took hold of Orion stage in a timely matter, collecting the largest crowd of the whole night. Fans spread out far and wide to hear the vocals of lead singer Julian Casablancas. At this point, festival goers were fairly tired out by the looks of each dust scattered face. More picnic blankets were set towards the further ends of the stage where fans who prioritized hearing rather than seeing populated. The Strokes sang fan favorites like the classic “Take It or Leave It” and “Someday”. The band had even prolonged their set to sing the ever so crowd pleasing “The Adults Are Talking” which got a rise out of all fans previously seated.
The Strokes were the perfect concluding act to end the night, just as the festival coordinators had coordinated, leaving fans satisfied yet hungry for more if given the chance. Crowds scattered every which way fleeing the Rose Bowl grounds to begin their trek home and hopefully lead to a dirt exterminating shower.
The very last attraction for the night seemed to be the hot dog vendors who spawned in every corner of the parking lot exits, to assure the perfect ending of a goodnight, and indeed a goodnight it was.