Heineken Open’er Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in style this year as global superstars graced their stages including Prince, Coldplay, The Strokes, Pulp, M.I.A, Deadmau5, Hurts, The Foals and hundreds more. As two time Best Major European Festival winner, Open’er once again sets the standard for which other European festivals follow.
Over four days festivals goers experienced some of the best music moments seen for years including Jarvis Cocker performing in a tornado of wind and rain, M.I.A inviting photographers on to the stage for her set, Coldplay delivering a phenomenal performance for the first time ever in Poland and James Blake moving the audience to tears with his moving set on the Tent Stage. Not to mention the ultimate performance from Prince who did six encores. Providing everything from musical hero’s, sun, sea, sand, culture, fashion and a huge ferris wheel; Heineken Open’er has once again delivered everything a music lover could ever want from a festival.
Mikolaj Ziolkowski, Alter Art & Heineken Open’er Festival said: “Prince gave his first exclusive show in this part of Europe at Heineken Open’er this year, enchanting the audience. It was a great privilege for us to host him. We also attained the perfectly convenient size of 85,000 festival goers and entertained the crowd in new original ways, offering them a Silent Disco, Fashion’er, a Kids Zone, the Ferris Wheel, Alter Space artistic activities and much more. Next year, we are planning to focus even more on art and culture.”
Thursday 30th June 2011
The sun was shining as festival goers descended on Gdynia for the four day Heineken Open’er Festival, kicking off which a international start as Coldplay took to the stage for the first time in Poland. Setting the scene with a bang the band introduced themselves to Poland with fireworks, butterfly confetti and flower petals that fell as they serenaded crowds with their classics such as Yellow, Shiver and Trouble.
Two Door Cinema Club impressed festival goers at the Tent Stage with their energetic melodies as they jumped around enthusing the crowd with their vibrancy. The winners of a Choice Music Prize wowed Heineken Open’er goers with their eclectic indie pop melodies and catchy tunes.
Simian Mobile Disco gave a tremendous performance when closing the first day of the festival, keeping the crowd dancing well through the night. With their electronic sound and ecstatic pace, Simian Mobile Disco once again ended the festival on a high as their sound carried thousands to distant lands of dancing and fun.
Friday 1st July 2011
Friday played host to one of the most anticipated bands on the line-up, Pulp. Jarvis Cocker battled with the down pour of unpredictable rain with wit and charm as thousands went crazy for what is expected to be the bands last summer festival tour.
Twilight Singers eased festival gores into the second day at the Tent Stage as their calming sound drifted through the crowd. Bringing a united atmosphere to the stage, the crowd and band clearly felt they were a part of a moving experience. Emotions rose as the band serenaded their audience with skilful plectrums and beats until there was not a dry eye in the house.
The Foals as always performed a breath taking set, keeping festival goers on their toes as they gave a new and old mix of tunes to an avid crowd. This was one of the Foals first festival appearances of the summer and they certainly set the standard.
Saturday 2nd July 2011
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour pulled in the punters with their melodic, indie-pop beats and did not disappoint. Singer Mette Lindberg lived up to the group name dressed head to toe in gold sequins and together with the band, gave a spectacular performance to an excitable audience.
Kate Nash rocked the tent stage with her controversial lyrics and a truly powerful performance. Nash showed passion throughout every song and definitely pleased their fans.
On Saturday evening the one and only Prince took to the stage to close the day. Joined by a fantastic band, his energy was clearly infectious as the heaving crowd sung and danced in the field. Playing an extensive set including hits such as Nothing Compares To You (written by himself), and Michael Jackson tracks. With a total of six encores the crowd could not get enough of the Prince of Pop.
Sunday 3rd July 2011
M.I.A gave a stunning performance on Sunday, with obscure visuals and dynamic dancers to wowing festival-goers. Inviting photographers on stage during her second song, she bounced around the stage in gold hot-pants giving an amazing show.
James Blake played an incredible set on the Tent Stage; the crowd were fixated by his sound and truly beautiful voice. Playing his signature hits ‘Limit To Your Love’ and ‘The Wilhelm Scream’ as well as many others, his mesmerising performance certainly made an impact on the crowd.
Deadmau5 ended the festival with a bang, entering the stage with his trade-mark hat. With incredible visuals and light show, Deadmau5 was certainly a triumphant end to Heineken Open’er’s 10th anniversary.
