Following the end of Pulp's amazing gig at Glastonbury last month, I got ready for a bit of grabbing and begging as the time came for the setlists to be given to the crowd. Now, either my arms stretched more than most, or maybe the reasonably nice bouncers recognised that I'd been having the time of my life for the last 90 minutes in front of them, but instead of getting a setlist, I got the attached.
Please excuse the dishevelled look. I had been in the audience since 2:30 that afternoon.
Upon receipt of the paper and gaffer tape, I balled it up and stuck it down my shirt 'til I emerged from the crowd. I think it was either Cheryl or Lisa who took the photo, for which I fished out what I'd received, and we had a good gawp at what it actually was.
The messed up ball of sticky tape and paper made it back from Glastonbury and was unfolded on the Monday. I separated it into its component parts and laid them between some hard books 'til today when I sellotaped up the tears and ironed most of the creases out. I've just scanned the papers, so I thought I'd share them with you. I'm also more than happy for them to go on the Wiki for Glastonbury.
First up we have Jarvis' opening announcement which, sweetly, he had to write down so he'd remember it. There's presumably a youtube clip of him saying these words. Later on he chucked frisbees into the crowd. Again, I think it's wonderful that, not only did he bring presents for the crowd, but that he determined not to forgive to give them out. What a lovely man!
Next, he'd presumably gone online and noted down Important Things That Happened On This Day. He didn't mention the Battle of Little Bighorn or the transmission of All You Need is Love on the 1st global TV programme, but he did let us know that it was Ricky Gervais' and George Michael's birthdays. Again, the time and research he put into this makes me love him just that little bit more.
Finally, we have something even sweeter, and really important to me. We were watching Pulp at Glastonbury '95 just the week before Glastonbury and Jarvis' speech about how "if you want something to happen enough then it actually will happen. In fact that's why we're stood here on this stage today after 15 years. So if a lanky get like me can do it, you can do it too." This idea has stayed with me throughout the last eleven years of being in a band as we made our way through quitting drummers, major label interest, stolen equipment, BBC Radio play, playing to four people, laying hands on our first vinyl etc. etc. The idea that It Could Still Happen does keep me going somewhat, and as Jarvis stated, if he found success in his early 30s, there's hope for the rest of us.
And it was lovely that he'd presumably recently been reminded of the speech and decided to give it to a new generation of fans. Absolutely lovely. And to have it in the great man's writing is just....wow!
So there we have it. Enjoy the attached!
As I was getting the photo at the top taken, a random guy told me how much money this would be worth. I hadn't even contemplated it, and I honestly don't think I ever would. It just means so very much to me!
oh wow!! your very lucky! ive been given Jarvis' ciggy once and his beer twice :) i have the set list (signed by candida) from the London 'keep calm' gig from august 2000? - i still treasure all of them!
This is the only time in my life I'll ever say this, but my head is in between Jarvis' legs. I'm the guy taking a picture on the fence...I also look a hell of a lot darker than I actually am!
I thought I'd share with you mine, the pink one is Glasto 98 and the other is Village Underground two years ago nearly nicely displayed on my hallway with my autographed records :)
Nice one, Abs! I saw you throughout the gig. You seemed to be having a great deal of fun!
When had you got into the crowd to get that spot...?
I came just before the Walkmen came on (I had sprinted through the mud from Anna Calvi), but to be honest even if the special guest was Justin Bieber I would have been there since I wanted to see The Walkmen (who were excellent) and Tame Impala (who disappointed me) although maybe I wouldn't have stayed after that.. Of course I was having lots of fun - and as I've recounted on here already I'll never forget saying to someone (who I've since found out posts on here) how much I'd love to hear Like a Friend but how it was never going to happen..
Tame Impala were poor weren't they? Are they always that bad live or does anyone think they were freaked out by the size of the crowd waiting for Pulp? Walkmen were excellent!
Abs, we got there during Those Dancing Days who we already knew of. Then the wonderful, Graham Coxon. Best set I've ever seen of his, I think. Then the Walkmen who were, as you say, excellent. Tima Impala were indeed a bit dull, but perfectly acceptable background noise. I've sat through a lot worse support bands. 'Chapel Club' supporting Suede three nights in a row for starters! They were certainly a lot more acceptable than them...
