Same Same But Different returned to the sandy shores of Lake Perris for another sun-soaked weekend that perfectly blended beach vibes, left-field bookings, and a tight-knit festival family. Set against a backdrop of lake views, colorful campgrounds, and art-filled pathways, SSBD 2025 once again embraced its signature “water-meets-dancefloor” energy — a celebration of peace, love, and pure SoCal sunshine.
From sunrise yoga to late-night bass sessions, the three-day festival experience reminded everyone why this boutique festival has become a Southern California favorite. Between the floating inflatables, barefoot dancing, and spontaneous moments of connection, Same Same But Different felt less like an event and more like a collective exhale — a weekend built on rhythm, community, and freedom.
Same Same But Different 2025 Standout Performances
This year’s lineup was stacked with artists who understood the assignment: bring the vibe, push the sound, and keep the energy alive. From heavy-hitting bass sets to genre-bending live performances, these acts stood out as the heartbeat of the festival — the moments that had Lake Perris glowing long after the music faded.
Here’s a smoother, editorially polished version that keeps your tone and structure but improves the pacing and flow:
Zeds Dead
Zeds Dead took command of the final night, delivering a cinematic close to the festival that felt like a spiritual journey through bass. As part of their “Return To The Spectrum Of Intergalactic Happiness” tour, the duo seamlessly wove together deep, crowd-pleasing drops with unexpected soundscapes that extended far beyond their latest album.
It was a set tailored for the wonky, expressive spirit of the SSBD crowd — a dusk-to-dance performance that pulsed with emotion and energy, leaving the beach buzzing well into the night.
LSZEE (LSDREAM + CloZee)
When two of the scene’s most creative forces collide, the result is pure alchemy. LSZEE — the joint project between LSDREAM and CloZee — delivered a set that was equal parts sonic therapy and dance-floor ritual. Euphoric basslines melted into acoustic textures, wrapped in waves of celestial sound.
It was the kind of set that invited you to close your eyes, move freely, and let the frequencies take over. For flow artists and free spirits alike, LSZEE’s performance was a masterclass in connection and release.
Dr. Fresch
Dr. Fresch has always been a master shapeshifter, effortlessly jumping between genres. At SSBD 2025, he leaned all the way into his bass-heavy side — and it worked. His set blurred the lines between house, techno, and bass music, building a bridge between the underground and the main stage.
Each drop landed with precision, each transition hit like a jolt of adrenaline. Channeling his inner wook, Dr. Fresch reminded the crowd why versatility is the new definition of headlining power.
KNOW GOOD
One of the weekend’s freshest surprises came from KNOW GOOD, the genre-defying duo made up of cousins Tanner and Sylas Morgan. Their set felt alive — not just because of the energy, but because of the live instrumentation. Drums, guitar, violin, and vocals collided with deep electronic basslines to create something both raw and refined.
The result was a dark yet melodic soundscape that blurred the lines between DJ performance and live concert. For those paying attention, KNOW GOOD didn’t just play a set — they announced their arrival.
Boogie T.rio
If the festival had a golden-hour soundtrack, Boogie T.rio owned it. Their sunset performance washed over the beach like a warm breeze — a fusion of reggae rhythm, swampy funk, and dubstep roots that felt tailor-made for Lake Perris.
The trio’s live instruments — guitar, keys, and drums — breathed life into every note, creating an organic contrast to the digital chaos that defined the night. It was the kind of set that reminded everyone why balance matters: the calm before the bass storm.
This year, the main acts were split between two alternating stages — meaning zero overlap and zero FOMO. Attendees caught every set without missing a beat, keeping the energy and community united all weekend long.
One of the weekend’s biggest surprises came when Crankdat joined Alleycvt’s dubstep-heavy set. The high-voltage energy sent the crowd into a frenzy, perfectly teeing up the night’s transition into Zeds Dead’s finale.
The atmosphere was pure festival family.
Days felt laid-back — attendees floating in the lake on inflatables — while nights pulsed with unity under art canopies and bass vibrations. SSBD remains one of those rare all-ages events where even solo attendees leave with lifelong friends. Respect and good vibes were the unspoken dress code.
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