Features Preview: Open’er 2013

Whether you’re still sore after missing out on Glastonbury tickets, or if trudging around in mud doesn’t sound like your cup of tea this summer, the logical step is surely to jet off to a foreign festival. With higher chances of dependable sunlight, cheaper alcohol, and a chance for a bit culture along the way, it makes sense, no? When you think European Festival, you probably picture the beaches near Benicassim, or the hot, heady madness of Primavera. You might not, understandably, envisage Babie Doły Military Airport in the Baltic seaport city of Gdynia, Poland.

As well as being the smallest city to earn a place on the World Monopoly Board, and the birthplace of Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld (two fun facts for you there), Gdynia hosts a music festival. Open your mind to Open’er Festival, because it’s got a belting line-up, and it more than competes with any UK offerings. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, The National, Blur, and our recent tablet cover stars Queens Of the Stone Age are all representing the hard-hitting musical legends side of proceedings – and that’s before we’ve even given you a tour of everything else on offer. In honour of a certain pop diva, we’ve decided to pick #7 unmissable acts playing Open’er ’13, along with a handy festival playlist that rattles through the best of the line-up.

Savages

‘Silence Yourself’ barreled its way towards our ears at high velocity earlier this year, and it’s hard to dream up a better setting for Jehnny Beth and co. than a Polish Airfield. We can’t wait to hear the likes of ‘Husbands’ blasting at Concorde-level decibels. Savages have quickly established themselves as one of the most enthralling live bands of 2013, so this set promises to be, well, savage.
(9pm, Wednesday 3rd, Tent Stage)

Kendrick Lamar

Everyone might be harping on about the resurrection of Yeezus (and his damn croissants that need to hurry up, apparently) but here’s another rapper at the absolute height of his game. ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’ was the best hip-hop album of 2012 by a long way, and it’ll be an absolute treat to see live.
(Midnight, Wednesday 3rd, Open’er Stage)

Tame Impala

Kevin Parker et al packed out their biggest venue to date last week at Hammersmith, and after thrilling the crowds at Glastonbury too, they’re on a roll. Tame Impala are on blindingly good form at the moment, and have a suitably high-billing evening set on Gdynia’s biggest stage. One of the highlights of Open’er is going to be waving lighters in time to ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’.
(8pm, Thursday 4th, Open’er Stage)

Palma Violets

These likely lads win the prize for rowdiest live presence of 2013 – expect to see drummer Will making an appearance in his Victorian nightgown, and a fair amount of bromance between frontmen Chili and Sam, too. You should also prepare yourself for mass nudity. ‘Best Friend’ and ‘Chicken Dipper’ both seem to inspire people to whip their tops off, and with warmer European climes helping the process along, who knows what will happen?
(6.30pm, Friday 5th, Alterklub Stage)

Miguel

Our favourite purveyor of smooth, blissed-out neo-soul is on the main stage on Saturday night, and Miguel is the perfect choice to ease you into a final night of Baltic tomfoolery. Plus he’s just done #Beautiful (listen below) with Mariah Carey, so we’re secretly hoping she turns up. We can dream, eh?
(8pm, Saturday, Open’er Stage)

Animal Collective

After captivating Victoria Park with their psychedelic jams at Field Day, Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Deakin and Geologist are packing away their kaleidoscopic stage furnishings and heading for Open’er. Closing up musical proceedings at Tent Stage, it’ll be an early morning psychedelic extravaganza, and Animal Collective look set to be the dreamiest, most immersive thing you’ll see all weekend. What a way to end on a high.
(1am, Saturday 6th, Tent Stage)

Rihanna

Ri Ri isn’t technically playing Open’er – she’s got her own night separate to the main rabble, obviously on the 7th. Everyone at the festival can stay on for her Diamond tour anyway, though, so that’s nice of her. There will be pyrotechnics, crazed dance routines more oo-nah-nahs than you can count (that’s not meant as a euphemism, but you never really know). If you need us we’ll be the ones trying to dance way beyond our skill level during ‘Man Down’.
(Sunday 7th, Open’er Stage)

DIY’s Open’er Playlist