The Sounds – Showbams

Just Like Heaven returns to Pasadena in 2023 with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, MGMT, Future Islands, Empire of the Sun, M83 & more on the bill

Just Like Heaven //
Brookside at the Rose Bowl – Pasadena, CA
May 13th, 2023 //

While last Tuesday served as a big day for live music with Goldenvoice revealing the 2023 lineup for its signature event Coachella, the renowned California-based concert promoter is moving full steam ahead by announcing plans for one of its other annual music festivals this spring.

Just Like Heaven, which became an instant success in 2019 and expanded to two days that year for its debut, will return to the Brookside Golf Course at the Rose Bowl with another top-notch roster that most indie-music fans can get behind after an outstanding showing in 2022 featuring Interpol, Modest Mouse, The Shins, M.I.A. and a whole lot more (read our festival review here).

Even with that in mind, we think it’s safe to say that Goldenvoice CEO Paul Tollett and company have once again put together a heavenly assortment of indie artists and bands for its third edition.

register now to access passes on jan 20 at https://t.co/I1diy5dPAZ 💫 meet us at our pasadena paradise saturday, may 13 pic.twitter.com/X204EUtGy4

— Just Like Heaven Fest (@JLHeavenFest) January 17, 2023

This time Yeah Yeah Yeahs, MGMT, Future Islands, Empire of the Sun and M83 will lead the way for only one Saturday in May, but there’s plenty more stellar acts listed further down the the bill with an undercard that boasts Hot Chip, Caribou, The Walkmen, The Bravery, Fever Ray, Peaches, Azealia Banks, Ladytron, STRFKR, Metronomy, The Faint, The Sounds and Cults. See the poster above for those who are not already mentioned and are scheduled to perform. It’s worth bringing up that Yeah Yeah Yeahs, MGMT, STRFKR and The Faint were all part of the 2019 festivities down at the Queen Mary Park in Long Beach, yet as we know, so much has changed since then.

The inclusion of Peaches is particularly noteworthy considering that Merrill Nisker just took the stage at the fest last year and made quite an impression upon many of us (our photos will give you a clear idea about what we mean). How will she top her 2022 set? Well, you’ll just have to be there — or back here — to find out. MGMT, meanwhile, have been booked to play their 2007 debut LP Oracular Spectacular, so we’ll be sure to keep our eyes peeled in case we see Leonardo DiCaprio raving once “Kids” begins.

If you’re sold on going to Just Like Heaven, make sure to register for the presale here before GA passes go on sale this Friday, January 20th at 10 a.m. PT for $149 (Tier 1) and eventually increase to $169 (Tier 2) and $189 (Tier 3). GA+ wristbands will be a new option this year for $249 that offers a dedicated GA+ entry lane at the main entrance, fast-lane access at the main merch stand and an exclusive GA+ lounge with air-conditioned restrooms, shaded areas plus additional seating, complimentary bottled water and a dedicated bar for 21+ patrons. VIP and Clubhouse tickets, should you want to splurge, are also available for $369-389 and $649, respectively, prior to any additional fees. Mark your calendars because “heaven” for music lovers of all things indie is less than four months away!

By Tom Dellinger //

The Sounds with Blondfire, Strange Talk //
The Regency Ballroom — San Francisco
Friday March 21, 2014 //

Swedish indie rockers The Sounds made a stop in San Francisco as they continued an extensive US tour in support of their latest studio offering, Weekend. Hugely popular at home in Sweden and across Europe, they enjoy a well earned reputation as an excellent live band. Over the past fifteen years this band has been together, they have also made a number of excursions to the US where they’ve opened for several well known acts (No Doubt, The Strokes, Panic at the Disco, Vans Warped Tour), a 2004 appearance at Coachella and a headlining tour of their own last fall which included a stop at The Fillmore. On Friday night, they brought it to The Regency Ballroom where they delivered a show that showcased their signature pumping pop rock dance numbers, and more.

With a superb, tight band behind her, vocalist Maja Ivarsson took the stage and opened up in classic fashion akin to a rock goddess. Stunningly attired in short leather jacket, shorts and heels, all eyes and ears were immediately focused on her. She appeared fit and quickly attacked the performance with an intensity that she sustained throughout the evening. Ivarsson has an impressive voice and coupled with her engaging personality, she had the crowd with her from the very start. She comes on confident, with a swagger, working up and down the stage. Leaning over to get closer contact with the audience, she keeps the energy and engagement high.

Musically, The Sounds are a mix of many styles and references, but copies of none. You can hear the influences of new wave, punk, synth pop, classic rock and more. They are all that and much more. A listen to their catalog reveals a band in motion; moving forward with an evolving sound and style, both musically and lyrically. Sadly, it appears they remain a bit under the radar in our area as attendance was on the low side. However, those that were there knew this band and had a good idea of what they were going to see. This band has the material and the ability to turn a show into something remarkable, and for those of us who were there, we were richly rewarded.