At the recent Just Like Heaven festival in Pasadena, Vampire Weekend stepped away from their signature sound to pay homage to the indie hits that defined their generation. The band delivered a series of electrifying cover performances that revisited the raw, unpolished energy of early-2000s indie rock and post-punk revival. Dubbed a “salute to indie” medley, they covered iconic tracks from their contemporaries, including Phoenix’s “Lisztomania,” Tame Impala’s “The Less I Know The Better,” Beach House’s “Space Song,” Grizzly Bear’s “Two Weeks,” and finished off with TV on the Radio’s “Wolf Like Me.”
The performance was a journey through time. A blend of classics, reenvisioned through the band’s unique harmonic interplay. Frontman Ezra Koenig’s vocals retained the clean, elastic clarity he brings to all their tracks, crisp yet casually unbothered. The stripped-back arrangements preserved the spirit of the originals while infusing each song with the electricity of a live performance. The medley highlights the enduring impact of those formative indie anthems on today’s music landscape.
Koenig introduced the medley with a nod to the genre’s fluid boundaries, stating, “A friend of mine said that Tame Impala’s not an indie band. He said they were psychedelic rock. Well, if my friend is correct, and I’m not sure he is, but if he’s correct: you don’t have to be an indie band to make an indie banger.”
By revisiting these influential tracks, Vampire Weekend reminded audiences of the unbridled creativity that fueled the band’s youth. The set showed that the timeless appeal of indie music continues to resonate. As the final notes echoed through the festival grounds, it was clear that this tribute was more than just a nostalgic nod; it was a declaration of the lasting legacy of a musical era that continues to inspire.
