Carnt bleedin' wait. Fingers crossed that they're their own support. Maybe put *Spoilers* in the thread title if we're going to be discussing the gig here.

saw119 wrote:

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I'm not even going to this gig and I'm nervous as hell. Who's playing bass? Do they have a replacement violinist for Russel or have the songs been rearranged a la Common People? I'm very eager to read about the set list. Hope you all have a truly brilliant time.

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 Same here. Looking forward to seeing what everyone has to say and any photos too. Enjoy people 

superchob wrote:

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Have a great time all the luckies who are going tonight. Looking forward to following set lists and reports. Speculating before my nights come round is a delicious part of the fun.

Just listening to Freaks as I read this - if the range is a worry for Jarvis then theres a rich seam to be mined there. I hope they delve that far back if playing rarities. They didnt go earlier than Separations last time did they, Lighthouses aside? (So thrilled to be there for that)

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 Little Girl With Blue Eyes at Sheffield Arena on the 2012 tour. Jarvis seemed so embarrassed singing those old songs though. I seem to remember him asking permission and kinda apologising for delving that far back. 

In the queue; and if anyone saw a daft skinny t**t try to open a bottle of beer on the kerb, with the contents spraying all over his trousers...

Yours truly.

Eamonn wrote:

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Well they went back to LA once, and also did one verse of Master Of The Universe in Italy for shits and giggles (was at that gig and thought I was hallucinating!).

Oh and they played Dogs Are Everywhere in Romania, purely because Bucharest was the stray-canine capital of the world according to Branson Cocker!

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 Fingers crossed for "a dead seaside town"  Though it's looking rather lovely by the beach in the sun 

SUPPORT = Jennifer Reid. From Rochdale. Bloody great. Sings unaccompanied, witty songs in Lancashire dialect.

This is a quintessentially Pulp choice. Really accomplished, very warmly received - people stomping and clapping along. Glad they're chosen to highlight her she's great.

Wireless mic, by the way...

Guy next to me didn't like it... started googling "Lancashire paedophiles".

Each to their own I suppose!

Just got back to Manchester, much to the delight of my dog.

After umming and arrrinng all week (I already have Finsbury to attend, plus Castlefield will be on my doorstep), the online hysteria from you lot finally became too much this afternoon. I decided as late as possible to take the plunge and arrange to buy a ticket on the door from someone on Facebook, before driving for two and half hours to the gig. I left at 6pm, giving me just barely enough time to arrive for 8.45pm. Despite a few issues en route such as getting stuck behind tractors I made it and found some street parking very close to the venue.

The band were simply sensational. It was such a confident performance that you felt like they hadn't been away at all, let alone over a decade. They had clearly been rehearsing for some time, and the investment in bits such as the string group (who were fantastic) showed a desire to give something back to the fans and set a precedent of wanting to put on a world-class show. The crowd themselves were playfully lairy and in great spirits, it was a lovely atmosphere in the Spa and later on the streets and in the bars.

For me, due to having the same long drive back to Manchester it would be my first Pulp gig sober, having just a few shandies. I'm glad I've seen them sober for once, and can bank those great memories. I've afforded myself the chance to let my hair down with some vinos at future gigs on the tour this Summer without The Fear of the tour ending and me having only blotchy recollections .

F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E, Weeds, and DYRTFT were the big stand outs tonight. They were great. Whilst anticipating it, I'm chuffed to have witnessed the debut of After You.

I was surprised at no pre-1994 material, but there are plenty more gigs to come, and it made sense to kick things off with a hit-laden.night. The setlist was packed full of big hits but still omitted some (Trees, Help The Aged), a reminder of the quality in depth the band possess. I can't wait to see how they mix it up from here. I anticipate the festivald will have more going on (the Neon lights of 2012 perhaps, and maybe longer sets with more twists.

It's going to be on hell of a Summer.

-- Edited by Barcroft on Saturday 27th of May 2023 03:11:04 AM

Pip wrote:

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String section! This is gonna be amazing.

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 As soon as I saw them settling in, I thought I Spy on Jools Holland which was one of the most astonishing performances ever.

lipglossed wrote:

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Guy next to me didn't like it... started googling "Lancashire paedophiles".

Each to their own I suppose!

-- Edited by lipglossed on Friday 26th of May 2023 08:24:21 PM

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 Woman in front of me turned round to say that's not what we were expecting in a very offended tone of voice, clearly fishing for support for her point of view. I suppose from a general gig going point of view, you might expect a band a bit like the main band, but if you know owt about Pulp, Jennifer would be exactly what you might expect. Gradely support act.

Simply Fuss Free wrote:

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No judgement - it was their first gig in 10 years and they were playing some songs for the very first time - but there were several moments throughout the show where Jarv missed/forgot his lyrics. He missed a chunk of lyrics in Glory Days and the band had to play catch up. First night nerves, I'd imagine. They'll sort it over the course of the tour, I'm sure.

Most folks probably wouldn't notice, but I can't expect Jarvis to know his songs better than I do. He's sane.

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Weeds II was a little bit shorter than it was meant to be, I thought. I don't think it was intentionally shortened. The "Care for some weed?" part - was that there?

Glory Days - I didn't hear any Cocaine Socialism being sung. Did he skip "My face is unappealing..." and go straight to the I Ching? I thought the latter half of the song was pretty sturdy - could be wrong though.

The way he started it - sitting on the blocks contemplatively at the front - what a performer. Absolutely unreal.

 I have a few other thoughts:

• I Spy, such a riveting opener. Spent most of it with my hands over my mouth in a state of awe. When Jarvis came to the front and went "It's just like in the old days!" - huge cheer.
• Disco 2000 - the clapping trick - really fun and a nice way to kick things off
• Dishes - really glad they gave it a moment in the sun. I know Jarvis is fond of it but he also sang it really really well
• Pink Glove - very warmly received by the crowd, and rightly so! Glad they're still playing His 'n' Hers tracks
• The transition from Weeds II into FEELING was incredible, so smooth and tight
• DYRTFT? - HUGE roar from the crowd when he announced it, the biggest reception of any song so far. Glad they didn't open with it because it's incredible powerful towards the end of the main set. Clearly a song much-adored.
• Like a Friend - really, very glad that this has been promoted to a setlist staple, it's absolutely magical live with the intimate intro. Noticed Mark was playing guitar during that intro whereas it used to be just Jarvis
• Common People - "what song have we not played yet?" - I heard so many song names being shouted! I don't think Jarvis himself anticipated that! 
• Mis-Shapes - really glad they haven't gone and ditched it again, it's brilliant live
• Glory Days - when push comes to shove, possibly the highlight of the whole set. It was absolutely incredible.

-- Edited by lipglossed on Sunday 28th of May 2023 03:25:45 PM

Acrylic...now you're talking. Over the last couple of months I must have watched the MTV semi-acoustic performance of it a dozen times. When people used to say they way prefer HnH to DC I didn't geddit but AA has that sweet spot of odd, inventive and catchy that is irresistible. Chris Thomas gave them pop-sheen in 1995 but they had that idiosyncratic wonder from '92-94 that is unbeatable in a way (not quite the same but the only comparison of art-pop I can think of is Roxy Music with Eno and afterwards).

My favourite on HnH is Have You Seen Her Lately though, I loved the Reunion#1 version of it, and I hope they dust it off again.

Good point about DYRTFT working really well mid-set. I couldn't believe how the place was bouncing to it so much, I felt very proud to be a Pulp-head. You forget even some of their non-hits still pack a punch amongst casuals (and although Remember wasn't exactly a hit, it wasn't a 'miss' either as it was their first Top 40 entry and they were on the way up, not down).

Pink Glove shares DYRTFTs consistent propulsion throughout which again, lends itself really well to folk who may not know it. I'm trying to think of other non-hit energetic  Pulp songs that would fit that category and that they would win over a festival crowd with....She's A Lady? Live On? We Are The Boyz? Sylvia? Minnie Timperley?

Ha, yeah, it was the elongated "Weeds" bit I was thinking about that you didn't like. Did you say it was like a squealing pig or something?! The shit I remember from this forum...

I thought the version in Brid sounded muscular (ironically) and I admire the balls of them to go straight into Weeds II (did they always do this in 2001/02?).

Five stars is ace - can't read full thing though as not a subscriber.  To be honest there wasn't THAT much glitter and crushed velvet considering, though in the long taxi slog I did spot an amazing retro patterned dress I was pretty jealous of that was fittingly mid-90s-Pulp. 

Surprised not to see more reviews in the nationals really - maybe they're waiting for the bigger-city-friendly dates.

Ended up getting back to Manchester pretty late last night after our planned train home from Scarborough was cancelled (cheers TransPennine Express!) so only just got a proper chance to sit down and reflect on what was an amazing day/night.

Pre-Show - I'm so glad I joined the queue early on as all the folks at the front, including an old friend from past Pulp gigs, were brilliant company throughout the day and helped the time pass much quicker. There was a slightly tense moment mid-afternoon when a group of older ladies in Pulp t-shirts arrived and made straight for the front. Clearly they had already made a good start on the booze (all drinking from cans on the street) and we all suspected they were angling to push in! Thankfully a few of them headed off to the pub across the street and didn't return, so an awkward and frank conversation was thankfully avoided and it didn't sour the day. The girl at the very front of the queue had been there since 5.30am (!!!) so there was no way any f**ker was pushing in.

Support - Jennifer Reid was great, I thought. Folk music in the a capella style is clearly not going to be for everyone, and opening at such a massively anticipated gig must have been pretty daunting, so I was pleased at how respectful most of the crowd were, giving her encouragement with lots of stamping and clapping. Bit of a John Cooper Clarke vibe, which this working class Manc appreciated.

The Arrival - I was on the barrier for Hyde Park in 2011 (to the right, still felt like ages away from the stage) and got fairly near the front for the big Sheffield gig in 2012, but until Friday I'd never managed front and centre for a Pulp gig. So the band arriving on stage, then the sound of Jarv singing I Spy... talk about bucket list stuff! Proper goosebump moment.

The Band - For a man approaching his seventh decade, Jarv still has the energy of a teenager. He put everything into those two hours, bringing all the moves and looked absolutely spent at the end. I was absolutely convinced he was going to trip over the mic lead on several occasions - big love to the roadie chasing around the stage! - and watching him roll off the monitors was hilarious. I'm not sure if it was nerves, or knowing that they only had two hours, but I was surprised he didn't talk more between songs. The intro to Something Changed - a tribute to Steve - was beautifully judged. Candida looked so happy, I loved seeing her beaming at the crowd reaction throughout. Mark seemed to be enjoying himself, busy with a lot of the engine work as usual. I didn't get a great view of Nick, as Andrew McKinney tended to stand in front much of the time (you're forgiven!), but the drums sounded immense and he is certainly 100% match fit after his wrist injury. The Jarv... Is gang were unsurprisingly solid and really added to the sound, and I loved watching the Elysian gang with their little pre-arranged routines throughout the set (the beginning of Sorted in particular was a great laugh).

The Crowd - The atmosphere was electric, all the people around me really getting into it and singing along, even during the album tracks. Bit of surging forward at times - to be expected! - and I heard there was some trouble behind, apparently a fight broke out at one point? The people behind were very sweet though, apologising for pushing against me. Didn't bother me, obviously. Sadly Common People kinda passed me by though as I found myself unexpectedly giving a helping hand to a crowd surfer - thankfully a light woman and not a big bloke! No big deal though.

The Setlist - They handed out a fair few setlists after the gig, but I've scanned my copy and put it on the PulpWiki for posterity. I Spy was a great opener and justifiably so but then Disco 2000 went OFF! Wow. One of the highlights of the night for sure. Something Changed as mentioned above was really poignant, and Dishes helped cool things off a little. Pink Glove is always welcome here, though I didn't think it sounded *quite* as strong as 2011 (was a warm-up gig to be fair). The Hardcore intro with the live strings was amazing, really lifted the song to another level. I was so chuffed that Weeds got in (I'll always take as much WLL material as possible) but Weeds II was an incredible surprise, never expected them to segue into that in a million years. Can't see it appearing for the festivals/arenas though, as the crowd reaction sadly seemed a little muted. DYRTFT was incredible, sparking a manic reaction from the crowd that continued with Babies. Thankfully it was around this point (I think?) that Jarvis kicked a water bottle off the stage, which was hugely welcome cos I was desperately in need of a cold drink! Sunrise was a dependable closer, as ever (apologies to those around me for jumping around like a loon). Being a live debut, After You was always going to be a highlight of the night, but they really saved the best for last with Glory Days which has aged like wine and sounded epic (despite some forgotten lyrics). I only wish we could have had The Day After The Revolution as a last goodbye, and maybe Lipgloss during the encore, but hey ho.

Post-Show - Sadly I couldn't hang around for a nightcap as I had promised the missus a trip to Bridlington Animal Park the next morning, but I'd absolutely love to see you all in Sheffield if something can be arranged. I did, however, find enough time to avail myself of a very fetching Pulp baseball cap and take a pic of the trucks loading up (see attached). Did anyone get to meet the band after? Felt like a non-starter with all the trucks/security around.

... and breathe! Sorry for the length of the post - would have been quicker writing War And Peace - but it's been nice to actually sit and process all this stuff. Happy times and places. Scarborough will feel like a long wait!