11,12,13,14-08-2011 Open Flair

Location: Eschwege (Germany)
By: Nina Mende

Open Flair hits Eschwege again. And I still must say it is the best festival of all.

Sold out way in advance. No wonder with this amazing line up. Ticket sales for 2012 are going fast already too. So first things first: Get your ticket for Open Flair 2012 now before it is too late and don’t miss out on the most rocking weekend of the year.

Two stages on the main festival ground, another stage down by the lake, shows at E-Werk, a tent with special events like comedy and such, a kids section and more. Open Flair has something to offer for everybody.

A pre-party / warm-up gig day is the Thursday. Only the stage by the lake is occupied on that day. Friday, Saturday and Sunday all other stages and venues are inviting you to rock along as well. So it was also Friday when most people arrived. A stroll by the camping area left everyone speechless: An ocean of tents was all you could see from the bridge that lead across it. Amazing!

Friday:

Basically you just had to turn around to see the other stage across from the mainstage, where the band began right after Culcha Candela had stopped: Disco Ensemble were now ready to rock the stage. Disco Ensemble is a Finnish post-hardcore/alternative rock band, originating from the small town of Ulvila. They’ve been noted for their energetic sound and rhythm, original guitar riffs and electronic synthesizer sounds. Disco Ensemble had just flown in and were now here on stage, ready to rock. Quite many people seemed to know the Finns and their songs. The audience could sing along to old and new songs. They danced and shouted along to the awesome music of Disco Ensemble. The band went through their songs, talked to the audience in between every other song and thanked them for being so great. The guys rocked around on stage, and the audience on the hay that covered up the mud. Disco Ensemble is always an amazing live band that spreads a whole lot of energy.

Back on the main stage, Itchy Poopzkid took over, a German punk rock band that became quite popular throughout their nine years of band history. 6pm main stage and the area was packed with fans, girls with signs and more people. Amazing. The trio rocked the festival and owned the stage like the biggest rock legends and worked it big time. Jumping around, almost breaking a leg and jumping around even more, Itchy Poopzkid rocked the rain away. You can tell the guys love what they are doing. Itchy Poopzkid passionately played their old and new songs, spreading good vibes and a lot of energy. Nine years of band history and more than 600 shows in total, Itchy Poozkid are pros when it comes to live shows and this was the proof for it.

A little bit calmer – but only a little bit – with a lot more heart and soul – in a girly and emotional way – was brought to the Open Flair audience by Frank Turner and his band now. Frank Turner is an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Winchester, who was born in Manama, Bahrain. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band’s split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, a rarities compilation album and four EPs. With an acoustic guitar and a beautiful smile the handsome looking Frank Turner conquered the girls’ hearts and the guys loved the funky folk music that simply made you go along. The band was absolutely down to earth and the festival stage turned into a little club where everybody knew each other. Familiar atmosphere surrounded the stage and crowd as Frank Turner and band played their brilliant songs. Simply amazing.

Mainstream is calling – main stage as well. The Subways were up next. The Subways are an English alternative rock band. Their debut album “Young For Eternity” was released on 4 July 2005 in the UK and February 14, 2006 in the U.S. Their second album “All or Nothing” was released on 30 June 2008. Although the band have not experienced a great deal of commercial success, they have gained a loyal cult following amongst attendees of the annual Reading and Leeds festivals, in which on each occasion they attracted a crowd big enough to fill the second stage tent beyond capacity, resulting in the band becoming main stage regulars. Their debut album was certified gold in January 2007 for 100,000 units shipped. Now they rocked Open Flair again. People were gathering to rock along with the trio. The female bass player was dressed in a glittery dress but still rocked like a little punk; shaking her head and body, rocking out while playing her bass and singing. The audience sang with her and with the guitar player, sang along to the songs, old and new. People loved it, The Subways loved it, everyone had a blast. Such a positive flair. Beautiful.

It was getting dark, the day was getting closer to an end. But it was not over just yet. The Locos were up to rock the audience in Spanish. The Locos are a Spanish ska punk band formed in 2005. The Locos were founded as a side project by Pipi, the backup vocalist for Spanish ska-punk group Ska-P, after the latter dissolved that same year. Although originally inclined not to rejoin Ska-P subsequent to their break-up, Pipi now divides his efforts between the two bands. After a world wide tour that spanned 2005 to 2007, a second Locos album was slated for release in April 2008, called “Energia Inagotable”. In the central back of the stage a big devil like monster stood and stared at the audience. The Locos entered the stage in complete darkness and it stayed like that for two songs at least – due to issues with the light. But the band did not mind and began their Ska. The singer took a flashlight and held it underneath his face to bring some light on stage, then the stage lights came back on finally. The audience went bollocks with The Locos on stage, joking, dancing, moshing and shouting. Even though the audience was mostly German, the fans seemed to understand the Spanish The Locos was speaking in between the songs. The audience could also sing along to the Spanish songs. The Locos spread a good mood and a whole lot of energy. Nobody seemed tired, neither band nor audience. And the day was still not over yet.

Saturday:

I began my Saturday with 3 Feet Smaller. Judging by the rate and intensity 3 Feet Smaller have been going at to go through with their thing ever since their formation 8 years ago in Austria, it could only be a matter of time before something big happened. With a cool head they are starting 2009 at full speed, and as of now, countries will be toured under a new flag: that of Sony. This band is comparable with Itchy Poopzkid, only difference: less punk and one more person. But 3 Feet Smaller can rock big time. Maybe they should change their name to 3 Feet Bigger because they owned the huge main stage and the audience in front of it. With their Austrian accent they guided the audience and made them to what 3 Feet Smaller wanted them to do; sitting down, jumping, dancing up on stage for everyone to copy and go along to – the guys got up a few girls and had them dance up on stage – and the usual singing and clapping along. Very nice guys and amazing rock music. Can’t wait for their tour. By the way, they will tour with Itchy Poopzkid.

Next was Wirtz. The band around Daniel Wirtz – ex- singer of Sub7even – and Daniel himself rocked the crowded area. Many fans had gathered to rock with the guys, to talk about truth and free minds. Singing along to amazing German songs talking about life as it is, with no decoration of lies. These guys definitely have no attitude and their nose is not up high but down on the ground. A feature that the audience loves and appreciates about the Wirtz band. Everyone can connect to the guys, and not only the songs. All the Wirtz songs are in German, filled with heart and soul. Wirtz played some of his hits like “Sag Es” or “Ne Weile Her”. Songs that literally everyone could sing along to. Wirtz is always amazing to see live, with all the energy, power and passion they put into their music and infect the audience with the same. This show could have gone on for much longer without anybody getting tired of the music or physically exhausted. But the next band had to play.

So here they were: Back on the main stage Bosshoss had already set up their stuff and were ready to rock. BossHoss is a band from Berlin which started in 2004 with Country & Western style cover versions of famous pop, rock and hip hop songs, for example “Hot in Herre” by Nelly, “Toxic” by Britney Spears and “Hey Ya!” by Outkast. They incorporate stereotypical American cowboy behavior into their act. They wear stetson hats, tank tops, large sunglasses, display whiskey bottles, and yell yeehaw. The band refers to their music style as “Country Trash Punk Rock.” Dressed in jeans pants and jackets looking all country, the guys pretty much filled the entire stage with their music instruments and themselves. All chilled out half of them were sitting and stayed seated throughout the show. Both singers walked around a little bit, playing to the audience here and there, teasing them. But they are not about moving around on stage. The Bosshoss is about great Country & Western style, their country and western instruments and the appearance. Which they all mastered. The audience loved the great music. The Bosshoss played mostly songs of their own and also a few covers. Nice one. Cheers!

After a quick “lunch break” I was back at the main stage for Dropkick Murphys. Dropkick Murphys are an American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St. Patrick’s Day week shows, held in and around Boston. The band’s final Hellcat release, 2005’s “The Warrior’s Code”, features two charting singles, “Tessie”, which was recorded for the Boston Red Sox to be played after home game wins, and “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”, which was featured in the Academy Award winning movie The Departed. The audience room was packed with fans, all ready to go nuts with Dropkick Murphys. And they did. As soon as the band entered the stage everyone went insane. Crowd surfing, moshing in circle pits, jumping, clapping, shouting, the audience did it all. The guys on stage ran around animating everybody to go along just a little more. Thriving punk music with an Irish touch and a lot of St. Patrick’s Day green Dropkick Murphys kept the pit busy. Amazing.

It had gotten dark and quite late already. Time flies when you are having fun. The masses were moving from one stage to the other now, a basic turning around would have done it as well, but not enough if you want to rock close with heroes: H-Blockx were up now. H-Blockx is a nu metal/alternative punk/hardcore punk band founded in Münster, Germany in 1991. A German rock band that is almost something like heroes in German rock history. Now they were back after a long break. Ready to rock Open Flair. Looking at the band and audience it seemed like H-Blockx have never been gone. People knew all the songs, all the moves, all the names, rocking strong with the band. H-Blockx whirled around on stage and made it worth while. Memories of “the olden days” when all their hits were just released came up amongst all of us. Simply amazing.

The night was going to be better. Even if this was unbelievable because it was amazing already. But the godfather of punk was still going to rock on the main stage. Iggy Pop, ladies and gentlemen, Iggy Pop and the Stooges were up now. Most of the older audience was excited like little kids for Christmas whereas only a handful of the teenagers knew who this “old guy” was. Well, it was Iggy Pop. The one and only. A man that does not need further introduction except for: Iggy fucking Pop, people! Iggy fucking Pop! The living punk legend! One that – as it seems – will never die, but always live and always rock. He has aged over the years – making music since the 60s already, that’s a few days back – but still looks amazing and rocks like a youngster. Shaking and moving around to his music, getting kids up on stage to dance with him. Those were absolutely excited. Stage diving – oh yes, he did! – and posing for every single one of us, as it seemed. Always up for a joke or two and not too good for anything. Iggy Pop impersonated what punk should be like and true punk means. The Stooges played all the hits, adding a little blues here and there, this concert was a journey through music – or punk – history and simply breathtaking. Playing two hours there could be no better end of a perfect day at an amazing festival like Open Flair.

Sunday:

Sunday, day three or even four for some. Looking at everybody’s faces you could tell. This festival has been long. Good, but long. Last day. And it began early. Noon. Templeton Pek opened the main stage. Only a hand full of people was there to watch them. Bummer. Because this brit-punk trio is brilliant. Listen to their album “Scratches And Scars” and keep in mind it is home recorded. Sounding as if Universal or Sony paid for the best studio on earth to record it, no kidding! And live, they are just as killing! Noon, Sunday, last day, I was up because I wanted to see this punk prodigy. Templeton Pek didn’t care that the festival ground was still quite empty. They rocked as if the house was packed. The people who had looked a little disturbed because of the early hours now were glad that they had crawled out of their tents that early and rocked with the guys. Literally! Since the bass player went down to the audience and played right in midst them. Awesome! A must-check-out!

Next on the little stage was Fiddler’s Green. Fiddler’s Green is basically the German version of Flogging Molly. A guy with a goose skull on his head entered the stage first, trying to get the audience in the right mood. Then the band entered. All totally motivated and excited they jumped and bounced around on stage, singing their songs, and the steadily growing and waking audience danced and sang along with them. To me it seemed as if they mixed a whole lot more into their originally Irish image and ended with something that you could call a mash of traditions. Some songs even sounded like medieval juggler music. But the audience loved it and that’s all that mattered.

Breakfast, lunch break and socializing. As I returned the festival grounded was packed. Good Charlotte had their stage set up and were ready to rock. Good Charlotte is an American punk rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed on April 1, 1996. They took their name from the children’s book Good Charlotte: The Girls of Good Day Orphanage written by Carol Beach York. Not only girls had gathered and conquered the front rows, many guys were eager to see them too. Open Flair, please welcome Good Charlotte. After the intro for “Cardiology” the guys entered the stage and played all their hits of all albums and some more songs of the new album, but not only, with everyone singing along. Joking in between Benj and Joel made the audience feel as if they were just hanging out with the twins. Good Charlotte had the audience sit down, jump up, sing for them and do a whole lot more to make this show amazing. And it was. Good Charlotte is a brilliant live band. They rock around on stage with so much passion and heart, you can feel the love. And the rock. Good Charlotte’s “The River” was dedicated to the deceased Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. (Rest in) Peace brother!

Talco taking over. Talco is an Italian ska punk and alternative band from Marghera, Venice. Musically the group combines the horns and rhythms of ska-punk with Italian folk music. Their lyrics reflect the band’s support for left-wing politics and often include anti-fascist, anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist themes. Musical influences include The Clash, Ska-P, Modena City Ramblers and especially Mano Negra, often describing their sound as “patchanka” after Mano Negra’s first album. “Why so serious?” could be their slogan as they were far from serious and all about the fun. Talco moved around non stop throughout their show, never standing still, neither did the audience. No sign of tiredness and exhaustion.

Keep running: Bullet For My Valentine was keeping the ball going, and the mosh moving. Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matt Tuck (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jay James (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Michael Thomas (drums). They were formed under the name Jeff Killed John and started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana. Jeff Killed John recorded six songs which were not released; two of these tracks were reworked later in their career as Bullet for My Valentine. Financial difficulties dictated the name change, which was followed by a change in music direction. In 2002, the band secured a five-album deal with Sony BMG. The band has stated that their music is influenced by classic heavy metal acts such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene. Long hair and loud guitar bringing metal to Open Flair. Bullet For My Valentine screamed and banged along with the audience, playing all their hits, and thanking for the great support. The guys also announced that they will be heading to the US soon to record their new album. Which means they will be back on the roads of Europe soon, presenting their newest stuff.

A little calmer but a little more legendary was the next band: Boy Hits Car. Boy Hits Car is a four piece American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1993. Only the singer is the last remaining original member, but the current line-up is together since 2006 – more or less. Twelve-string guitar on a stand, long blond curls and bare feet. A typical view for the center stage during a Boy Hits Car show. Maniac music, or simply brilliant beyond sanity. Boy Hits Car is more than meets the eye – and ear! The guys rocked on stage with so much passion, the singer seemed to be performing in his own little bubble, sometimes stepping out of it before crawling back in. But that is only one of the things that make this band so interesting and amazing. to watch. Boy Hits car. Always a show, always amazing.

One last gathering before the first festival visitors headed home and to bed. It had been an exhausting weekend with all these great acts that did not let you stand still and breathe for a second. But Rise Against could not be skipped. No way. Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Zach Blair (lead guitar, backing vocals), Joe Principe (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Brandon Barnes (drums, percussion). 90 minutes, not enough for Rise Against to play their hits and play all the songs the audience wants to hear. But 90 minutes was all they had and so Rise Against packed them with a whole lot. Beginning with the fast and kicking songs, punk at its best, against crime and injustice in the world, hunger and pain. Social punk, straight edge punk, supporting PETA and other social organizations and sharing their views with the audience. Because they shared these views too. Making aware of Greenpeace on site, and Viva Con Aqua: give them your cups instead of returning them and help 3rd World Countries to have water, to build wells and water pipelines. And rocking strong in between such announcements. As Rise Against felt that the audience was getting a little tired, they gave them a break with an acoustic set against war. Simply beautiful. It felt like war on the world had stopped for a second, as if everyone was taking a hand of the other, peace on earth… Only a feeling though, and not reality. Rise Against played all their hits and loved the audience as much as they loved the band. A brilliant show. Amazing and heartwarming. Making us aware that we can make the world a better place. Bit by bit, step by step.

The Sound were up next and the crowd was still strong. Not as big anymore but still strong. Guys with signs like in the old boy group days only the girls had drawn them, the audience was stoked to see the Swedish band. The Sounds are a Swedish Indie Rock band. Formed in Helsingborg in 1999, the group’s musical style has been compared to New Wave acts such as Blondie, The Cars, the Epoxies and Missing Persons. Female fronted the guys and girl rocked strong from first to last. If I had to draw a super hero today that had to be female, I would definitely take Maja. Beautiful, funny, cool and kicking ass. The Swedish wonder woman. And her wonder boys. The audience danced just like The Sounds did on stage. Playing old and new hits, the audience knew them all. Word by word. Maja danced with and to the audience, flirting with the guys here and there, making the time worth while and the festival simply perfect with no wish unfulfilled. The Sounds, you just had to love them and their catchy music.

Exhausted after The Sounds and the weekend in general I now resigned and therefore missed Pendulum. Not good, I know. But I will be back.

Open Flair 2012! The best weekend of the year. Be there!

More photo’s of this event can be found at roseofthedevilsgarden.com