A brilliant atmosphere, first class acts, sunshine and white sandy beaches were the catalyst for a fabulous four days in Gdynia, Poland for the ninth Heineken Open’er Festival. Heineken Open’er may not have been a festival that many festival goers would have been too aware of, however after winning the Best Major Festival at the European Festival Awards and booking a line-up that matches the biggest UK festival, the word is spreading fast. Jack White’s recent side project, The Dead Weather, with White’s own Polish heritage, was a fitting headline act to send everyone home on a high.

Over 100 artists entertained the 60,000 capacity crowd this year, with Pearl Jam, Massive Attack, Kasabian, Grace Jones, Klaxons, Empire of the Sun, Cypress Hill and Nas & Damian Marley along with live sets from top DJs Groove Armada, Fatboy Slim and 2manyDJs wowing the Open’er revellers with storming sets that had the crowd partying into the early hours.

Day one of Heineken Open’er Festival saw Pearl Jam headline with an epic two hour set that saw the veteran rock group perform 22 of their hits. The headlines may be taken by the fact that lead singer, Eddie Vedder asked the 50,000 strong crowd to take three steps back to create more room but the manner that the entire crowd responded shows how great the atmosphere was! Vedder, eager to not repeat the tragic Roskilde incident the band witnessed on their European tour on 30th June 2000, an incident that obviously still haunts the charismatic star, especially being so close to the tenth anniversary.

Vedder later went on to thank the festival’s organiser, Mikolaj Ziolkowski of Alter Art, for booking them to play in what he called “the best gig we have played in 2010”. Vedder showed an amazing command of the Polish language wowing the crowd by speaking fluently in Polish, the 50,000 strong throng gratefully responded with cheers and clapping. The band later finished their set with crowd favourites ‘Alive’ and ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’, finally leaving the stage after midnight.

Elsewhere on day one of the festival, Bristol dance legend, Tricky managed to pull in a big crowd despite going up against Pearl Jam when headlining the Tent Stage. Tricky was seen boxing onsite hours before his hour long set and seemed in great spirits as he later performed to the crowd that spread outside the huge arena. Tricky had spoken earlier about the difference between atmospheres at UK and Open’er Festival, saying “I think it is something to do with countries that have had their troubles and pain in their history, that people out of that have strong hearts and so much love to give and when they come to festivals they just do it for the love of music – I have played my best gigs here in Poland, I love it!”

The 9pm slot on the Tent Stage was one of the most popular across the four days and the first day’s act Yeasayer were not going to disappoint. The much lauded Brooklyn three-piece played a mixture of songs from their two albums, ‘All Hour Cymbals’ and ‘Odd Blood’, with recent hits ‘O.N.E.’ and ‘Ambling Alp’ whipping the crowd into a frenzy while the band sauntered across the stage surrounded by pink and purple lighting. Lead singer Chris Keating
told fans at the sunset gig: “This is our first ever show in Poland. We’ve been meaning to come over for ages so thank you for inviting us.”

Closing the opening day on the main stage was Groove Armada duo, Andy Cato and Tom Findlay, whose set was better than anything I have ever seen or heard from them before. Findlay, leaving his normal station behind the decks, was seen playing the guitar for the majority of the performance. Opening with ‘Look Me in the Eye Sister’, the atmosphere and the picture postcard sunset meant that despite seeing the band on numerous occasions this was miles better than anything I have ever witnessed. Showcasing their new Black Light album, the band were supported by the festivals spectacular lighting and their own array of seasoned performers added to a great show that brought to a close the live music on the first day, with ‘Warsaw’, ‘Paper Romance’ and closing with ‘Superstylin’ the highlights of the hour and a half long set.

Day 2 – Friday 2nd July

Following on from Tricky on day one, his old band mates, Massive Attack, were the Main Stage headline act on day two of the Heineken Open’er Festival. The duo took to the stage under darkening skies in Gdynia and performed a host of classics and tracks from their recent smash album ‘Heligoland’. Daddy G stoked up the fires in the crowd as the temperatures dropped by announcing to the crowd “It’s great playing here at sunset, thank you!” After Tricky’s warm reaction from the crowd, their must be something about people from Bristol as the crowd were going wild for ‘Teardrop’, ‘Babel’ and ‘Atlas Air’, however strangely omitted‘Unfinished Symphony’ to the dismay of some of the capacity crowd.

The Tent Stage saw the one and only Grace Jones take to the stage at 9pm, despite suffering some sound issues the 62 year old strutted her frame across the stage in a typically outrageous outfit. The crowd was bulging out of the tent with everyone trying to grab a glimpse of the enigmatic star on the stage. ‘Pull Up to the Bumper’ and ‘Nightclubbing’ were the stand out tracks from the Jamaican born singers set.

Following Jones, Klaxons performed one of their biggest shows of the year to date in the Tent Stage. Grace Jones was reportedly made to do a forward roll backstage by Jamie and gang. On stage the band continued the high spirits with a highly infectious show and despite a long hiatus from live performances, were back on form and the crowd were obviously enjoying seeing Jamie, James and Simon back in action, prompting Reynold’s to address the audience; “From the front to the back, you’ve been absolutely crazy, thank you.” Playing the tracks that a mixture of songs from their debut album such as ‘Magick’ and ‘Golden Skans’, the band received a rousing response from new single ‘Echoes’, boding well for their return.

Australian band electro-pop group Empire of the Sun closed the Main Stage with a colourful and typically theatrical offering from the head dressed pair, Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore. With only the one studio album to date, ‘Walking on a Dream’, the set only lasted over an hour but took revellers on a rollercoaster of synth pop and rock whilst seeing a flying dolphin float by the side of the stage! There was a mass exodus after the set to catch the ending of Cypress Hill, the hip-hop group from California who have been one of the most recognisable and well known acts of the West Coast rap scene. Another band to take some time out from work, their new album ‘Rise Up’ sees an end to six years without releasing a record. Playing a mixture of old school classics and tracks off the current album, including ‘Light Up’ which the band then took literally by smoking onstage. As expected the biggest roar from the crowd came from encore track, ‘Insane in the Brain’.

Day 3 – Saturday 3rd July

Saturday saw numbers at the festival reach a peak with over 60,000 festival goers onsite. There was eager anticipation for the headliners and UK festival darlings, Kasabian. Sports mad Tom Meighan and Serge Pizzorno sauntered onto the festival site eager to watch the Spain game on the TV and had backstage staff racing around to make sure they could get the game onto a large screen in the artists’ room. The Leicester group later took to the Main Stage with ‘Fast Fuse’, with Meighan dressed in embroidered blue denim shirt and sunglasses bounded around the stage with his usual nonchalant manner and closed the hour and a half long set with favourites ‘Vlad the Impaler’ and ‘LSF’.

Talking about the bands forthcoming fourth studio album, Meighan said: “Serge put some demos down while he had a couple of months off,” he explained. “They’ve definitely got a touch of ‘West Ryder’ in them but musically as a band we’re progressing all the time so things are changing. It’s sounding brilliant, he’s in the best song writing form of his life. Everything he writes just turns to gold.”

Earlier in the day there were stand out performances from Skunk Anansie, with Skin on top form as she crowd surfed during their hit single ‘Weak’. She told the audience: “We haven’t been in Poland for ten years. It’s absolutely incredible to be back.”

The band also previewed a number of tracks from their forthcoming new album, set to be released in September.

Over on the Tent Stage, singer-songwriter, Regina Spektor wore a flower print dress and red lipstick, as she spoke in Polish to thank her fans. Sitting behind her grand piano, Spektor was one of the highlights of the festival with a brilliantly simple live performance and faultless tone, playing tracks including ‘Eet’ and ‘Two Birds’.

Quirky East London indie band Hot Chip closed the third day on the Main Stage with a hit filled live set including ‘Ready For the Floor’, ‘Over And Over’ and ‘One Life Stand’ while fans waved inflatable crocodiles and a Scooby Doo toy in the crowd. The band that in recent years have been seen more at DJ sets across the country put on a sparkling show to the adoring fans at the Main Stage with tens of thousands singing and dancing along to their timeless hits.

The American Hasidic Jewish reggae artist, Matisyahu provided the World Stage crowd his unique fusion of reggae, rock and hip-hop playing hit ‘King Without a Crown’ and tracks from his latest album ‘One Day’. Over at the Tent Stage, Gorillaz Sound System provided the soundtrack to the early hours with the London DJ collective of the cartoon band playing the bands hits mixed with stunning visuals.

Day 4 – Sunday 4th July

The Dead Weather, Fatboy Slim, Nas & Damian Marley and The Hives closed the ninth annual Heineken Open’er Festival in Poland on Sunday with over 60,000 revellers partying long into the night on what was undoubtedly the finest day’s music over the four days.

Stand-out performances from The Dead Weather and the fantastic Nas & Damian Marley sent festival goers home with beaming smiles and sweaty bodies after a day of moshing, boggling and dancing.

Jack White’s latest side project band played songs from their debut record ‘Horehound’ and follow-up album ‘Sea Of Cowards’. Alison Mosshart dancing and bouncing around the stage took on lead vocal duties for most of the set but took a one song break with Jack White performing ‘You Just Can’t Win’ for fans.

White, who has Polish heritage, was dressed in all black and wearing a large black feathered hat, asked the crowd:“You OK Poland? How have you been?” The crowd that seemed to stretch back for miles on the long narrow field screamed back at the singer, prompting White to reply: “Sounds like you’ve been OK!” With a rousing two hour set, the crowd unfortunately had to choose between the headline band and Nas & Damian Marley which saw a clash of timings between the two major acts.

The best performance of the weekend came from Nas & Damian Marley, who played hits from recent smash album ‘Distant Relatives’ as well as both acts performing some of their solo material. A huge crowd gathered around the World Stage to see the Brooklyn rap and Jamaican reggae fusion. With a Rastafarian flag flying throughout the performance, the duo opened with the fittingly titled ‘As We Enter’ and later broke off into solo sets with Nas wooing the crowds with ‘Street Dreams’, ‘If I Ruled The World’, ‘Represent’, and ‘Got Urself a Gun’. Not to be outdone, Damian Marley had the crowd singing along to ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ and had the crowd in the palm of his hand when he sang his late father’s track ‘Could You Be Loved’. The crowd were dancing and singing along to the duos hits ‘Strong Will Continue’ and ‘Count Your Blessings’ which both getting the loudest cheers as lighters were brightened the dark night sky.

Earlier in the day the eccentric Swedish band, The Hives were spotted warming up and stretching backstage before they played the Main Stage dressed in black and white sailor suits. Lead singer Pelle Almqvist told the crowd before the band kicked off a version of 2002 single ‘Hate To Say I Told You So’: “Do you know what’s going to happen now? Well I do, and that is what’s making me feel so fucking good.”

Wild Beasts started their set on the Tent Stage to a half-full marquee when their gig overlapped with the Swedish band’s show. But the crowd soon grew and the boys played ‘Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants’ and ‘All The King’s Men’. Singer Hayden Thorpe told the audience: “This is our first ever day in Poland, we’re very happy to be here. This is a great introduction to you so thank you.”

Closing the final day of a splendid four days in Gdynia was Fatboy Slim, Norman Cook stood behind his decks as visuals of Iggy Pop, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and various abstract images were played on the big screen. Cook was hidden under dark light but emerged for his signature fist thumping to rouse the crowd, not that they needed it as the Main Stage was awash with a sea of bouncing bodies. The biggest cheers came for Cook’s signature tracks ‘Praise You’, ‘Right Here, Right Now’ and ‘Rockafellar Skank’.

So four days in a town that not may Brits would have heard of, Gdynia is a hidden beauty of Eastern Europe with a strangely laid back approach to life and white sandy beaches and tropical weather this is not just a festival but a great holiday! Heineken Open’er Festival harked back to the glory days of the 70’s, the crowds’ atmosphere was a joy to behold and the organisation of this festival showed that Heineken Open’er Festival is here to stay and is surely set to rival the more well known European festivals such as Exit and Benicassim in the future.

Words: Andrew Soar
Photos: Piotr Tarasewicz & Tomasz Kamiñski / Alter Art

Move over Erol Alkan, Miss Kittin, Klaxons and Felix Da Housecat it is now Hot Chip’s turn in compiling the next 2 part Bugged Out Mix CD.

Released April 27th on New State the first CD, ‘Bugged Out’ will feature techno and house with tracks from John Tejada, Mark Romboy, Dominik Eulberg & Gabriel Ananda and an incredible exclusive new Hot Chip tune called ‘Take It In.’

The second CD – ‘Bugged In’ is a dream house part mix by Alexis Taylor, Joe Goddard and Owen Clarke including everything from pop and soul to grime. Even Fleetwood Mac, Luther Vandross and The Doobie Brothers are invited to the house party.

To celebrate CD release Hot Chip will be hosting a party with Bugged Out at London’s Fire club on Parry Street, on Saturday March 21. The night will split up  like the album with a room of techno, house and dub step helmed by Felix, Al and Joe and a room of pop and disco helmed by Alexis and Joe (featuring some drum machine and synth action).

Max Cooper from Traum records (who features on the album), Jim Stanton from Horse Meat Disco and Bugged Out’s Johnno also join in the party.

Advance tickets are now £12.50 and available from www.ticketweb.co.uk .

Kraftwerk, Massive Attack, MGMT, Klaxons, Bat For Lashes and loads more confirmed for Bestival 09. Plus VERY special Sunday night headliner still TBA shortly!

Plus even more live music from;

Michael Nyman / The Beat / Squarepusher / Future Sound Of London / Little Boots /Friendly Fires / Florence & The Machine / Bjorn Again / Fujiya & Miyagi / Metronomy /Dub Pistols / James Yuill / Free Peace / VV Brown / Chase & Status / Golden Silvers /Goldie Lookin’ Chain / Kitty, Daisy & Lewis / The Cuban Brothers /dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip / Ebony Bones / Altern8 / Passion Pit / 65 Days of Staticand many more…  DJ/MC sets from:Diplo Presents Mad Decent Soundsystem / Fabio & Grooverider / London Elektricity /Rob da Bank / Zane Lowe / Annie Mac Presents / Huw Stephens / Derrick Carter / DJ Yoda /Fake Blood / Gilles Peterson / Friction / Tayo / Johnno (Bugged Out) / Skream / DJ Derek /Monsters At Work DJs Present The Psychedelic Sounds of Monsterism Island /Beardyman / Coley (Luv Jam)and many more acts to be announced… Also featuring:A Brand New Site Layout / The After Burner Rave Up / Giant Bonfire / Story Telling /Outer Space Fancy Dress Themeand all the usual Bestival magic & mayhem…

In the rarest of free moments Bestival mastermind Rob da Bank commented:
‘I keep having to look at the scruffy piece of paper I keep the line-up on in my diary to convince myself that we are indeed bringing Kraftwerk to the Isle of Wight.  Ha ha!  Im so bloody happy I could cry, but then I realise we’ve also got Massive Attack, MGMT, Seasick Steve, Klaxons, Bat For Lashes … All my favourite live acts and DJs in a field in seven months’ time in what I can humbly proclaim is our best line-up yet and when you find out who the third headliner is and then the very special guest too you’ll join me in wetting ourselves with excitement.  Its gonna be out of the world – out of space in fact!’

 www.bestival.net