Festivals have always served as the exclusive playgrounds for iconic rock bands and superstar DJs. Events like the Open’er Festival 2026 have cemented this legacy, featuring titans such as Calvin Harris, Florence & The Machine, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, and The xx delivering impeccable headline sets.
But the festival landscape has dramatically shifted. Over recent years, pop titans have proven that infectious, slick genres can command a feral field just as easily as plush arenas. The final day of Open’er Festival 2026 was less about rock history and more about an unapologetic takeover by the brightest megastars in modern music.
JENNIE arrived as the undeniable force, demonstrating mastery over progressive pop. While she has achieved massive success through BLACKPINK, her performance at Open’er was a masterclass in self-assured artistry. She navigated the stage with confidence, seamlessly blending high-concept identity anthems with surprising indie rock bangers like Tame Impala’s ‘Dracula’. Her set wasn’t just a performance; it was a progressive pop masterclass that showcased an artist comfortable stepping into the spotlight and commanding the audience.
A notable element of JENNIE’s show was her willingness to push boundaries. She introduced unreleased solo tracks, allowing the energy to flow freely between shimmering dance beats and raw emotional moments. From the sugary rap-pop bangers like ‘Mantra’ to soaring drama, she delivered a performance that felt entirely fresh, showing a glimpse into the next era of pop.
Equally vibrant was Addison Rae, whose ascent from viral sensation to pop megastar has been meteoric. Her presence at Open’er was pure, playful pop maximalism. The hour-long set was a whirlwind of high-energy dance breaks, trust falls, and costume changes that transformed the stage into a swinging playground.
Rae channeled the excess and euphoria of pop history, pulling inspiration from legends like Britney Spears and Lady Gaga while delivering high-octane club escapism. Her performance felt like a deliciously over-the-top romp through heartache and lust, cementing her position as a contemporary spectacle leader.
Meanwhile, Jade brought a truly inclusive and reflective energy to the Tent Stage. As a solo artist emerging from the shadow of Little Mix, she explored a spectrum of emotions, balancing defiant power-pop with vulnerable introspection. Her performance showcased a journey of discovery, moving fluidly between rebel spirit and heartfelt vulnerability.
Jade also championed inclusivity, treating her audience to snippets of Little Mix songs while casting a rainbow flag onto the stage screen, declaring that everyone was welcome in the ‘church of Jade’. Her set offered a powerful message of being seen and belonging.
Adding an irresistible edge was PinkPantheress. Far from being a weakest link, she threw a hardcore dance party that fused the soft with the hard. Draping velvet vocals over drum ’n’ bass beats, she delivered a modern take on Sade while expertly weaving unexpected rave segments and moments of pure surprise into her performance.
The collective energy across the festival demonstrated that today’s music scene is defined by spectacle, fearless artistry, and a dynamic blend of vulnerability and unapologetic excess. It was a stunning showcase of how pop stars are not just making music—they are defining an entirely new kind of festival experience.
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Credit: NME
