Intake. Talk about leaving it till the last minute. Manor Park. There is a war in progress, don't be a casualty. The Wicker. Now is the time of the quickening. Norton. Frechville. What are you frightened of? Welcome to the new era. Hackenthorpe, happening in a cul-de-sac near you, on some damp, acrylic afternoon. Shalesmoor. Wombwell. Dancing at motorway service stations. Fear not brothers and sisters we shall prevail. Catcliffe. Brincliffe. Attercliffe. All these places really exist... Ecclesall. Do you remember the first time? Woodhouse. I remember every single thing. Wybourn. Oh, Pitsmoor woman, oh let oh let me in tonight... The Rave is on. Pitsmoor. Badger. It's OK to grow up, just as long as you don't grow old. Wincobank. Go and tell it to the trees. Crookes. Walkley. A disused factory just off the Wicker. Broomhill. Heeley. Taking it all the way down to the marrowbone. Hold tight. This is what we do for an encore.

PULP - SHEFFIELD ARENA - YOU MIGHT GET YOUR HAPPY ENDING

I'd better bring a clapped out old washing machine that I need to sell then.

weej wrote:

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Anyone know what you can / can't bring into the arena?

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 It's all in the faq

https://www.utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk/faqs

Nick tweeted that theyre collecting for dogs tonight, and theres a lovely photo of one on his bass drum. Odds on Dogs are Everywhere being played maybe raised a couple of half-percent?

superchob wrote:

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Nick tweeted that theyre collecting for dogs tonight, and theres a lovely photo of one on his bass drum. Odds on Dogs are Everywhere being played maybe raised a couple of half-percent?

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 Steve Lamacq played it on the radio this evening! It was a moment of relief during the apocalypse of the M1 traffic. He had some write in feature about a golden retriever convention and it turned out a number of people had suggested Dogs are Everywhere who were all going to see them tonight/tomorrow.

Setlist.fm is showing the "standard issue" setlist. Surely the show hasn't finished yet?

Show starts in 2mins. Has someone glimpsed a setlist?

It could be an orchestra setlist. In which case, makes sense any extra songs are unlisted.

-- Edited by lipglossed on Friday 14th of July 2023 09:00:10 PM

By me!

Amazing once again. No previously unheard songs but I finally got Razz ticked off my list so have heard every song played on the tour so far.

Glory Days with the film montage of archive Pulp through the ages...really packed an emotional punch.

Another amazing performance.

Hearing all about tonight's gig and it sounds amazing so far - as all concerts have been like. Cannot wait for tomorrow and it can't come sooner.

Anyone at the Leadmill? Help...average age is approx 19.

They were very good and the staging is excellent. Shame about the formulaic setlist, it was slightly crushing when Jarvis said "this is the oldest song we'll play for you tonight" and they played Razz but I kinda expected it. Pink Glove was the highlight for me though, sounded as wonderful as ever. What was the footage at the start of the Glory Days montage though? It was 80's and Jarvis was in the wheelchair I think? I'm certain I haven't seen that before. That footage also featured Russell singing one of his songs.

I was surprised when they played Weeds II, is that usually on the set list?

Weeds II (truncated) has been played at every gig this year, yeah.

The mention of Paula was hilarious. About 20 of us in the arena would have got it...

Special mention for the pretty shambolic disorganised logistics at the Arena. On an evening of pissing rain, there was no proper instruction over which entrance people should use to access the venue meaning a large bottleneck formed and by the time Hawley started playing, there were probably as many people still trying to get in as there were on the arena floor, watching.

It looked like there were a lot of young agency staff in raincoats outside not knowing how to improve the situation.

Then, the queues for drink and food left little room for people to squeeze past and find the right access for their ticket was.

 

It was quite amusing to hear Jarvis introduce Glory Days by saying it had been a "glorious day". I guess VIPs must be shielded from inclement weather!

Lovely to meet some of you at the pub beforehand along with some folk who had heard of the gathering on Facebook. People coming from Australia, the US....even my taxi driver said he had a fella in his cab who had travelled from Singapore just for the show...it must be incredibly humbling for the band that they inspire such devotion. The best thing about Pulp maybe is that you know they won't let those people down and were always going to make it a really memorable and worthwhile experience for everyone.

-- Edited by Eamonn on Saturday 15th of July 2023 10:33:22 AM

lipglossed wrote:

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Eamonn wrote:

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Glory Days with the film montage of archive Pulp through the ages...really packed an emotional punch.

Another amazing performance.

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 Deeply deeply envious!

Another round of five-star reviews I'm guessing...

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You know what...I think you got the best experience of that song at Bridlington, being up the front and the song itself being so unexpected. 

Last night, the film montage was so evocative that it distracted me from the band performing the song a little. And you'll surely get to see the video visuals once they release a film/stream a performance of this tour in the coming months.

-- Edited by Eamonn on Saturday 15th of July 2023 11:11:54 AM

Eamonn wrote:

Special mention for the pretty shambolic disorganised logistics at the Arena. On an evening of pissing rain, there was no proper instruction over which entrance people should use to access the venue meaning a large bottleneck formed and by the time Hawley started playing, there were probably as many people still trying to get in as there were on the arena floor, watching.

It looked like there were a lot of young agency staff in raincoats outside not knowing how to improve the situation.

-- Edited by Eamonn on Saturday 15th of July 2023 10:33:22 AM

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Yeah, much the same mismanagement as in 2012 when there were several queues/entrances and some doors opened earlier than others. After queuing in sub-zero temps for about 7 hours it waa pretty crushing to ger inside and find a load of people already at the front with no chance of making it to the barrier!

Last night on the other hand I was seated so it was just a case of join a queue, any queue, then figure out where to go once you're in. Missed about half of Hawley trying to get across from one side of the Arena to the other.

Can't fault the show though, it sounded great. Was hoping for a surprise in the second encore but sadly not to be. Sat in the upper tier for tonight, might even have a go at recording it if the people around me aren't the singing kind. Got all the singing out of my system yesterday!

-- Edited by Pip on Saturday 15th of July 2023 12:37:40 PM

Based on last night, if you want to be sure of catching all of Hawley, I'd be there for 7.

By the way, last night, did anyone notice a scene in the crowd about 20 rows back from the front, on the floor? There was a commotion with people waving their arms and lights on phones shouting for attention. It looked like they wanted to gig to pause, presumably someone had fainted or hurt themselves.

Jarvis didn't notice this as he introduced Underwear but the group of people (maybe about twenty) continued to wave for attention. There didn't seem to be any security racing in to see what was happening. A regular guy then seemed to come over and take charge of things, presumably he was a doctor or something.

Last night was excellent! Ticked a couple more off the 'heard it live' list

It felt to me like the band were really enjoying it, with better stage production, leaning into the nostalgia side more than 2012 (I've not been able to get to any other nights of this tour and have avoided spoilers) and properly embracing songs that they've been a bit sniffy about in the past (Disco 2000!) Not sure how much I'm projecting as life has been a slog as of late and it really hit the spot for me.

 

Edit: I've never really got on with Glory Days, but that was perfect with the video montage.

-- Edited by blueowl0708 on Saturday 15th of July 2023 01:35:47 PM

Bit late notice but I've got a spare for tonight, Lower Tier, Block 117, Row L, £90.

You're being serenaded, Eamonn!

Eamonn wrote:

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Currently having a vegan roll and orange juice in Fagans. Someone in the back room is doing a spirited cover version of Underwear with an acoustic guitar.

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 That must be exactly the same time I almost ran someone over in Broad Lane just before Fagan's. Studenty looking lad stepped out right in front of me, luckily he stopped just in time, so I am a bit anxious now.

I think he was a little after that. 19:50 - 20:35

saw119 wrote:

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There's a link on YouTube to a livestream of tonight's Sheffield gig. I was looking for vids of last night and it appeared. I searched pulp Sheffield 2023. I know little of these things to know whether it's legit or not.

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 Have seen those before. Would expect they're dodgy, they usually re-direct you to a website so I wouldn't risk it.

You still there?  I may stroll over

robbroncs wrote:

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You still there?  I may stroll over

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Hey Rob, I'm not. Actually, I wanted to check out The Wash before the gig but don't think that will be doable now.

DM-ed you 

So who is going tonight? I got the impression everyone seemed to be going yesterday.

lipglossed wrote:

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Anyone seen Jarvis's famous blue plaque?

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 I've seen it before, not been past it this time. Last  saw it, it had lost a corner and looked a bit sad in a very Pulp kind of a way.

robbroncs wrote:

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You still there?  I may stroll over

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 Rob did I see ages ago you are in the Leopold? I saw a lady this morning with a Pulp 2023 t-shirt at breakfast who'd been last night and at Finsbury Park.

lipglossed wrote:

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Anyone seen Jarvis's famous blue plaque?

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-- Edited by Eamonn on Saturday 15th of July 2023 05:28:13 PM

robbroncs wrote:

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Fran wrote:

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robbroncs wrote:

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You still there?  I may stroll over

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 Rob did I see ages ago you are in the Leopold? I saw a lady this morning with a Pulp 2023 t-shirt at breakfast who'd been last night and at Finsbury Park.

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 I am.  Just left For the venue!

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 I am in a café next to cathedral tram stop, working lack of tram action at the moment

I'm at the front if anyone wants a natter.... Blue different class tee, black fleece

Not as bad as I thought. T'other side ot arena to last night but not that high.

Fran wrote:

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What block is that? I am in 206. 

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 205

I'm in the bright orange t shirt say hi

-- Edited by saw119 on Saturday 15th of July 2023 07:24:48 PM

15 mins to Hawley and still half empty. 

 

SarahAWilson wrote:

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I'm over in 219. I'm dressed in black. Will wave a torch. Don't know if you can see it but look towards the furthest right hand corner.

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 You're not too far away. Have a good one...again!

lipglossed wrote:

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I am so profoundly envious of you all, by the way. Cannot emphasise that enough.

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 Well, this has just been ratcheted up a notch.

Bar Italia, how are we feeling? :D

Thanks so much to Jayjay of this parish who gifted me her accompanying ticket.

One thing that I clocked from the beginning was that they started five minutes earlier than last night so I was hoping all through the gig that it would mean we had time for one extra song.

At various points towards the end, Jarvis teased Styloroc Nites Of Suburbia and My Legenday Girlfriend (which Mark was only too happy to respond to by giving two quick blasts of the MLG pre-chorus riff) and I would happily have taken either of those but the fact we got to hear a brand new song obviously is the best news of the night.

joemc5054 wrote:

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God i was a muppet. sat in the wrong seat number AND wrong block. luckily was only told at the end of Hawley's setlist. Glad i was made aware as block 214 were the best (as it should be) and we danced like there was no tommorrow. Superb gig - and I'm sorry for anyone who was sat on row P next to me in 9 and 10 and 12 and 13, i was only trying to have fun with my awful singing and dancing

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Don't feel so bad Joe, I made exactly the aame mistake! Ended up in block 213 by accident, only realised my error when someone else came along and had done the same. Signage wasn't great.

And in the end you were only two rows behind me, I was on Row M, seat 14. Good atmos in that block, though there was the usual cooling off during Weeds/Weeds Ii - the couple next to me went to the bar and the guy in front went on Facebook! Heathens!

 

-- Edited by Pip on Sunday 16th of July 2023 12:58:06 AM

I ended up in Block 213 by mistake too!! Jayjay (Jodie) off here spotted my errant orientation and guided me back to where I belonged. Would have been nice to meet you, Pip!

Well it was a pretty special couple of nights in Sheffield this week. I thought seeing Candida up front and centre at the piano with Jarvis was just wonderful. In the end I didn't care it was the same setlist and it was just magical spending time with them again. All I could think during the gig was "I could do this every night".

Jarvis was embarrassed by Paula pretty soon after it was recorded, I think!

imagine if theyd given us a download code for Hymn Of The North or whatever its called at this point, like they did with After You as Jarvis seemed to reference the 2012 show a hell of a lot. At least us who were there have got the bragging rights to say we saw the Pulp lineup at that point perform it live first

For years I regretted not going to Leeds 2011 and Sheffield 2012 (for various reasons), as I was convinced that Pulp would never play live again, and so I was taking to the grave the fact I missed two chances to see one of my all time favourite artists. How thankful I was that all these years later, I was given another chance to see this wonderful band. This time there was absolutely no way I was going to miss out, I made a point that I needed to right my previous wrongs, and man oh man, was last night worth that very long wait!

It's really hard to name a standout song from the set because each and every single one was a genuine contender for highlight of the night. All the big hits were exceptional as you can imagine, but the deeper cuts were just as good. I loved the slightly theatrical and thematic performance of E's & Whizz, the way they had strobe lights, lasers, smoke machines and the orchestra were decked out in rave clothes and blowing whistles, emulating a '90s rave. This Is Hardcore was pure goosebumps from start to finish, as I finally got to witness this cinematic masterpiece of a song live in all its dark, sleazy glory. Weeds 1 and 2 brought a brilliantly eerie and psychedelic atmosphere. Something Changed felt even more poignant with the Steve Mackey tribute. Playing After You was a nice touch. Sunrise was beautiful. Glory Days was empowering. And the supposed new song was quite interesting, it reminded me a little of the Room 29 album Jarvis did a few years ago.

I've seen other bands during second reunions and felt underwhelmed because at that point I knew they were just going through the motions, and I had concerns Pulp would be the same, that the magic was all spent up in 2011/2012, but I felt like last night was the band at their absolute best. Jarvis, in his '60s, owning the stage and making it his domain, with the same energy and charisma that he had in 1995.

-- Edited by TheDev on Sunday 16th of July 2023 09:02:46 PM

Long shot but can anyone remember who it was that Jarvis recited before Like a Friend on the Friday night? All I can remember is one of the quotes was saying that singing is one of the best ways to get your point across. 

Well its only 24 hours since last nights show - and im only just getting to do a write up. What an insane 24 hours its been.

I was walking the dog around dinnertime with my sister, and ended up getting the crap scared out of us with some loud cracks of thunder that came out the blue. Poor Pipi bolted and wanted to leg it home, but soon calmed down. When dried off at home, I get an alert from TheTrainLine.... my train to Manchester has been bloody cancelled. Great. I quickly packed my case and get to Chorley to make the slightly earlier train.

Sheffield. 345pm. Pissing it down. South Yorkshire never ever changes. Grab an Uber to my AirBnB and get checked in. By this point, I have established that I am the wrong end of Sheffield - the next Uber was from the AirBnB to the Arena. £14. Have a stroll to the Arena and queue up and get talking to a few lads from Geordieland - at this point, I started to feel excited for the night. The queue starts shifting, and were walking up the steps and getting checked by security. I only get sniffed out by the Police Dog - that in all honesty scared the crap out of me as I havent been around anything other than my diabetic medication. The grumpy police dog handler let me go and off we go....power walk to the front of the stage.

Time seemed to drag on for some time, and one thing the whole night pissed me off.....why on earth would you go to a concert and SIT ON THE BLOODY FLOOR !!!! It just made it feel a little awkward for those around them. Anyhow, rant over....Richard Hawley hits the stage, and says his favourite "Tonight Matthew, The Streets Are Ours"....and what a wonderful rendition it was. I have heard a few tracks by his Hawleyness over the years - but never got right into them. In my opinion, his is a better live performer than studio. That said though, having listened to his music tonight - its growing on me. Loved his "dance like a knob" comment.

Now then.....Pulp........

I noticed that the show had started early....and didnt really think much of it regarding the time.... however as the set progressed - I was getting gut feelings. The usual start of I Spy, Disco 2000 certainly got the crowd in fine voice. Misshapes sounded the best its sounded ever. I usually get bored during Feeling Called Love, and Sorted - but tonight they hit home, and they sounded like they were on form.

Before we know it, Sunrise has finished and we start with the first encore. Its 1010pm. At this point, im seriously thinking that something else is going to happen. Like A Friend, Underwear and Common People run like clockwork - and the second encore is here. After You definately hit the spot, as did Razzmatazz, but the highlight of the night was without doubt - Glory Days. It was as good today as it ever was then.

Then the electric piano is getting wheeled out, and Jarvis becomes visably nervous, and I scream "a new song!!!!"

The rest......is history.