The Killers and Peggy Gou shut the get together in fashion
The ultimate day of Open’er 2022 is a vibrant one, whether or not due to the solar that blesses the disused Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport web site or – as soon as that nice ball of fireplace has set – due to the glowing neon artwork installations dotted across the web site. In the midst of the sector that connects the primary stage with the smaller tents is a totem of fluorescent shapes that appears like a extra summary, singular model of Las Vegas’ Seven Magic Mountains. Subsequent to the Beat Stage, an in any other case drab tunnel is lit up within the colors of the rainbow, giving its gray concrete a vibrant makeover.
The music that pours out of each stage at present is simply as vivid. On the Alter Stage, Polish rapper Szczyl attracts a giant crowd early on with a set that veers from anthemic hip-hop bangers pushed by an indie base, to extra introspective cuts. Later, on the identical stage, Cate Le Bon creates a really totally different environment. Wearing a chainmail headpiece and floaty red-and-black garb, the Welsh musician places the tent right into a serene trance with the likes of ‘Moderation’ and ‘Daylight Issues’. “Thanks for being right here with us,” she says earlier than a gently bouncing model of ‘Operating Away’ sweeps over the PA, however it’s Le Bon and her band who deserve the gratitude for such an idiosyncratic, stunning efficiency.
The principle stage, in the meantime, has became a giant get together zone. With The Chemical Brothers pressured to tug out from their late-night set as they and their crew nonetheless wrestle with COVID-19, the line-up has been rejigged with Peggy Gou drafted in to get issues going within the night. In tribute to the digital heroes, she drops ‘Hey Boy Hey Woman’ mid-set, giving festival-goers a style of what might have been. There’s no time to be unhappy, although – her set effortlessly strikes from banger to banger, the Korean DJ conducting the group with a easy however assured wave of her fingers every time the drop hits. There are additionally surprises aplenty inside her alternatives – not least when she remixes a snippet of Moist Leg’s ‘Too Late Now’ right into a hypnotic membership observe.
Shortly after Gou packs up her decks, The Killers tackle the problem of being the pageant’s ultimate headliner for this yr. That they might nail the job – and accomplish that in fashion – was by no means doubtful; the Las Vegas band lengthy having proved their mettle as a few of fashionable music’s finest reside performers. Tonight solely reinforces that status as they ship one of many slickest, showiest units of the week. They stroll on stage to the synth drones from the beginning of ‘The Man’, launching into the cocksure anthem the second frontman Brandon Flowers leaps onto one of many displays and a canon of pink confetti explodes over the group. “Whats up Poland, we’re The Killers and we’re dropped at you by the use of fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada,” the singer tells the group because the track involves an finish, as if the band want any introduction.
What follows is a setlist full of hits, curated from a listing that’s rife with huge tunes. Latter-day Killers materials doesn’t get a glance in, its typically slower, extra considerate kind at odds with tonight’s angle of placing the pedal to the metallic and protecting issues at a continuing excessive. As an alternative, we’re handled to a few of The Killers’ greatest and best-loved songs – ‘Any person Informed Me’, ‘Spaceman’, ‘When You Have been Younger’ and lots of extra.
Between songs, Flowers addresses the group in as a lot Polish as he can bear in mind (or learn off a sheet taped to the stage). His fondness for the nation is palpable, not least when he halts ‘All These Issues That I’ve Achieved’ in its opening traces to pay tribute to its folks. “Earlier than we got here out right here tonight, the US Ambassador for Poland instructed us the way you’re taking within the Ukrainian refugees and it touched our hearts,” he says. “Hold doing what you’re doing, it’s a phenomenal factor and we had no thought about it till tonight. We might all take a lesson from Poland on the right way to behave.”
It’s an emotional second that may be felt by way of the top of the set, which arrives simply three songs later. After a model of ‘Mr. Brightside’ that’s accompanied by purple and inexperienced lasers and begins in electro fashion earlier than bursting into its extra typical kind, drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr jumps down from his riser and involves the entrance of the stage. The remainder of the band are lengthy gone, however he sticks round to survey the group. “We love you Poland,” he says sincerely. “Thanks very a lot for giving us this job and this chance to come back and play for you.” He swings the mic stand to the ground, giving Open’er 2022 an ideal finish – a triumphant mic drop on an excellent return.