The Open

Leeds Festival 2004 review

By Guy Powell | Published: Thu 2nd Sep 2004

Friday 27th to Sunday 29th August 2004
Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS23 6ND, England MAP
£105 for weekend (sold out), any day £45 (still available)
Daily capacity: 55,000
Last updated: Wed 4th Aug 2004

There’s something about indie bands that attracts bassists that remind me of Bungle from Rainbow. The Open join the likes of The Killers by having a bassist that, with his new facial hair, helps them to look right at home within this genre.

Six months ago The Open played a low-key tour at 300 capacity venues, three months ago they supported The Vines and a month ago they hit Scotland with their first T in the Park appearance. There’s no doubt that The Open are growing and that the release of their recent debut album has helped to propel them to stardom – and quite rightly so.

There is one issue that needs resolving - they still need to look more comfortable on stage – but everything else is spot on. The band fit together like they were bound in a Chinese finger trap and produce a rich, deep, searing sound that leaves you craving more.

There are some bands that are going places and others that aren’t. The Open aren’t just going places – but they’re going to stay there too.
review by: Guy Powell


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