The 8th edition of the Düsseldorf based festival offers again a delicate line-up in the perfect environment. The day program takes place at a racecourse located in the picturesque Grafenberger Forest. At night the party continues in the old industrial Stahlwerk. During the day Carhartt WIP presents a stage. HereDarkstar will introduce their latest album News from Nowhere. Furthermore Dubstep cross-head Mala, Berlin-via-Bulgaria rap gal DENA, and the London based Jazz border crossers Porticoquartet play. On the main stage Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def will perform with Jazz pianist Robert Glasper. Afterwards the Alternative Rock legends Dinosaur Jr. tune their guitars loud. Later at Stahlwerk Modeselektor will enthuse with their one-off Dubstep, big bass Techno, and psychedelic Electro bastard sound. Before their mates Siriusmo, who will introduce his new album Enthusiast, and Sound Pellegino Thermal Team will heat up the night location of a festival, that always overwhelms with a varied line-up. We wanted to know more about the soul behind the festival and sent some questions to their team. Booker Philipp sent us answers that gain an insight into the spirit of one of the finest one-day festivals in Germany.
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What is your musical background? What was the impetus behind the start-up of your festival?
Philipp: As part of the Phoneheads I have been performing at many European festivals in the late nineties / early noughties. In our hometown Düsseldorf there was no festival format at all for contemporary - lets say - pop music offside the mainstream. So I just started it with two other greenhorns. In 2006 we set up two stages in a local public bath, invited Zoot Woman, Mala & Pokes, DJ Koze, Digitalism, Mouse on Mars and many more to celebrate the first Open Source Festival. At this very first edition I have been DJing my self and sweared to myself to never do this again... No need to tell it was pouring and we almost went bankrupt. After this very first edition we decided to stop - now we are approaching the 8th Open Source Festival on June 29th...
Do you have a "wish list" of musicians you would like to see on your festival stage?
Philipp: There are many artists which very rarely play live in Europe. Such as Frank Ocean, Antony and the Johnsons, Daft Punk, Kraftwerk et cetera. They are on the wishlist of every booker of the universe and yes - we would not say no too... But I am always stoked when we managed to book an artists exactly at the right time: six month before the festival the debut album gets released and turns out to be great. This is what makes the difference to me.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Philipp: The team spirit and enthusiasm which is evolving during the production of the festival and the continuous support of the scene.
What’s the worst thing about your job?
Philipp: Weather forecasts!
Can you give some advice to someone who is interested in starting his or her own festival?
Philipp: Don't copy, develop something new and love the detail. Be prepared: it takes time! And always plan at least 5% of your budget for "unpredictable costs"!
What was your first festival visit ever?
Philipp: Right on our old school yard back in 1988 I think. My school mate Jan Edler organized a mini EBM festival at Gymnasium Odenkirchen. The first festival I organized myself took place in my parents living room while they were on holiday and featured three bands.
What was the most magical festival moment you had?
What was the most magical moment for you on Open Source till today?
Philipp: Open Source Festival 2008: Uffie did not show up due to "illness" but hundreds of her very colorful young followers wanted to see her (back than). We invited the Swedish band Slagsmålsklubben to play on her slot and everybody loved it. At the end of their set the band got rid of their clothes and invited the audience to jump in the nearby lake with them. A lot of people followed their invitation and the life guards were quite stressed by this "call to action"...
Are there artists you want to book for your Open Source but you never been able to do so?
Philipp: Well - some of my favorite artists don't play live much, are dead, or need crazy production.
What performers are you most looking forward to see at this years Open Source Festival?
Philipp: That is hard to say. I am always happy to bring artists to our region which have never played here before... Best in exclusive constellations. This year Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def will perform together with Robert Glasper Experiment band. Surely one of the highlights!
If you could spend a night partying with any of your icons, who would it be?
Philipp: I would have loved to be part of the party crowd at The Party.
What are three albums that you will absolutely never get tired of listening to?
