Florence + The Machine ignited Open'er Festival 2026 like a spark to dry tinder, setting ablaze the Gdynia-Kosakowo stage with a performance that left the crowd breathless. David Byrne's innovative 'Who Is The Sky?' show roared into life earlier in the day, weaving an intricate tapestry of music, art, and drama.
Florence Welch led her band through a 90-minute set that veered from the theatrical to the communal, as if conjuring a summer solstice ritual. With 'Scream' serving as a vampiric introduction, she transitioned seamlessly into 'Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)', before pausing mid-set to offer words of solidarity and emotional release. "Whatever you've been through, whatever you're going through, know that I am with you," she declared, her voice soaring above the Gdynia crowd.
From indie-folk anthems like 'Spectrum' and 'Say My Name', to newer tracks such as 'Sympathy Magic' and 'One Of The Greats', Welch's setlist expertly balanced old with new, showcasing Florence + The Machine's evolving sound. One moment stood out: Welch's impassioned plea for the crowd to put away their phones during 'Dog Days Are Over'. As they responded with a joyful jump, the collective energy was palpable.
David Byrne's 'Who Is The Sky?' show built upon the success of 'American Utopia', marrying rock, art installations, and TED Talk-style elements. His band roamed the stage in red and orange suits, musicians strapped to bulkier instruments via body harnesses that allowed for fluid movement.
The Gdynia stage itself became a character in Byrne's artistic vision – a dynamic backdrop of screens transformed into oceans, hazy nightlife scenes, or arrays of mouths. Highlights included a rendition of 'Heaven' performed with a chamber orchestra that seemed to rise above the Earth, and 'And She Was', which saw the band march through footage of 1970s US suburbia.
With Open'er Festival now in full swing, the coming days promise an eclectic mix: Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, The Cure, Calvin Harris, and Halsey will join Florence + The Machine on the bill – and with these acts at the helm, it's set to be a truly unforgettable four-day extravaganza.