Oh god. I genuinely don't know how to feel about this.

Last night, Nick - who was absolutely wonderful, by the way - mentioned a special Pulp concert he couldn't say anything about. I immediately thought Ooh, they might be doing a special Christmas show for the fans. I could get to hear Lipgloss and Wickerman and all of that lovely stuff.

Now? They are playing right on my doorstep. But it's £75 and I'm a poor student, and the setlist is unlikely to differ from those they played earlier this year (if it does it'll be because they removed songs from the set rather than added new ones). And for Hogmanay I'd probably have my own plans with my partner. I'd obviously love to see Pulp again - I mean, c'mon - but I'm not actually sure it makes much sense to... even though I still bloody want to... aaaaaah... decisions, decisions.

They can't just do a normal Scottish show can they? Suspect that this could be Scotland 'covered' for this entire reunion....

Has anyone been to anyone's Hogmanay gig in Princes Street Gardens before? Is the the experience any good, i.e. how comfortable is it, ease of aquiring booze, do people have good mannners, etc etc etc.

Also, is it easy to smuggle booze in. Do they touch up your bum on the way in etc.

-- Edited by PaulTMA on Tuesday 26th of September 2023 11:30:43 AM

Would love to go but already zero chance of getting a decent priced hotel in central Edinburgh on New Year's Eve, plus the inevitable fun and games with public transport.

Pip wrote:

---

Would love to go but already zero chance of getting a decent priced hotel in central Edinburgh on New Year's Eve, plus the inevitable fun and games with public transport.

---

I have just had a look and you are absolutely right. I was tempted with this because it only takes about 3 hours on the train from Blackpool but I don't think I can justify paying over £300 for a hotel for one night. Also, I don't know anything about public transport in Edinburgh but I'd imagine that the buses, trams or whatever run an extremely limited service after midnight on New Year's Eve so staying further afield would be tricky.

If anyone from Pulp is reading this, then, it's New Years' Eve - time to Party Hard, as we Countdown to a new year. And 1 January is a Monday Morning! So there you go - lots of as-yet-unplayed songs that are thematically appropriate. We all want to hear more tunez! Variety is the spice of life, etc etc.

Ian wrote:

---

Eamonn wrote:

---

I wonder will they play Countdown at five to midnight...

---

 

That would be great but imagine the "10, 9, 8..." bit of "This House is Condemned" with Russell singing? Of course, it's never going to happen.

---

 Or OU with the buildup...

OK, got an email about the presale, but there appears to be no code or special link in it? Does anyone know what's going on here?

Ticket obtained! You had to refresh the link at 10am.

Unfortunately, you can't resell, exchange or refund them. And you have to choose a fixed gate to enter through.

Tempted but...accomm + train costs + having to drag the other half along who already came-with to Hammersmith...

If I knew they were going to play a handful of different songs, I think I'd find it hard to resist. Having said that, it's a one-off type of event that they'll never do again. And it's not gonna piss rain...right?

Ugh...can't even...

Hive till five!

Eamonn wrote:

---

Tempted but...accomm + train costs + having to drag the other half along who already came-with to Hammersmith...

If I knew they were going to play a handful of different songs, I think I'd find it hard to resist. Having said that, it's a one-off type of event that they'll never do again. And it's not gonna piss rain...right?

Ugh...can't even...

---

 Sadly, my sofa's already been snapped up. But Eamonn, if you're tempted, you should think about it...

Pulp at Hogmanay, eh?

Had free accomodation from a friend but other half wasn't up for it...she got dragged to Scarborough so bit like Eamonn unless they're playing new songs can't swing it this time unforunately.

Eamonn wrote:

---

I caved-in and got tickets. Thought it would sell out quickly. Cost of travel wasn't too bad but I will be at the mercy of trains running on the way back. Accommodation, yeah, pretty pricey. Will just have to wean myself off gigs between now and Xmas.

As Giles Acrylic tweeted (with a link to the Hawley/Cocker tune "Happy New Year Baby"), hopefully the band make it a special night. They usually do, which is my main justification!

---

 Wahey! Welcome to Auld Reekie, Eamonn!

I'm hoping for a few setlist curveballs, huge bore that I am. And may well be going for barrier. We shall see.

Eamonn wrote:

---

Yeah, its a beautiful place so was a relatively easy sell to the partner. Let's all meet up in 2023/24 - how are ye sorted for fountains?

---

 Got one in West Princes St Gardens, where the gig's happening! A bright, brassily-trimmed teal affair stationed right under the looming crags of ye old castle. It's all coming together.

Much as I would love to go to this (not to mention it would be my first trip to Scotland, there are 2 very practical reasons why I can't.)

1) No fucking money.
2) I work in hospitality, and getting ANY time off during the festive season would be like trying to swim up Everest.

I agree that "Countdown" could work and "Party Hard" was always a crowd pleaser despite its lack of chart success.

How about Jarvis singing "Here comes the fear again, the end is near again" right before midnight?

Simply Fuss Free wrote:

---

lipglossed wrote:

---

Eamonn wrote:

---

I caved-in and got tickets. Thought it would sell out quickly. Cost of travel wasn't too bad but I will be at the mercy of trains running on the way back. Accommodation, yeah, pretty pricey. Will just have to wean myself off gigs between now and Xmas.

As Giles Acrylic tweeted (with a link to the Hawley/Cocker tune "Happy New Year Baby"), hopefully the band make it a special night. They usually do, which is my main justification!

---

 Wahey! Welcome to Auld Reekie, Eamonn!

I'm hoping for a few setlist curveballs, huge bore that I am. And may well be going for barrier. We shall see.

---

 

We can dream, yeah, but I reckon this will be an all party anthems setlist. This will be a set for a general audience (and, presumably, televised)

 

It's not really been all-party-anthems so far! I think they'd need to add a few to the setlist for that to be the case - Lipgloss, Countdown, Party Hard are probably the three in mind.

-- Edited by lipglossed on Friday 6th of October 2023 01:48:38 PM

The concert timings, on the website, are 21:00-00:50, including support.

So Pulp likely take to the stage between 22:00 and 22:30, there's a break for fireworks, and a bit of an encore!

There's about ten certainties (Disco 2000, Common People, Mis-Shapes, Babies, First Time, Sorted, Something Changed, Underwear, Hardcore, Sunrise). And that does leave a little room for them to mix it up a bit. We live in hope... I'm cautiously optimistic.

-- Edited by lipglossed on Saturday 7th of October 2023 12:32:35 PM

PaulTMA wrote:

---

I strongly suspect Weeds II might not be returning to the setlist.

---

 If they do it then fair fucks.

Realistically I do think Pulp are a band that have a clutch of hits and then everything else is either not going to be particularly known to the gig-going public, or fans will know it all pretty well, so I think they'd get away with mixing it up a bit more. There might be a rush for the bar if they play 'The Never-Ending Story', but probably not for 'Joyriders' or 'O.U.'.

If casuals hear the hits (Common People/Disco 2000/First Time/Babies/Sorted) then they'll come away satisfied regardless of what the rest of the setlist is like.

Timely article from Snapes in the Guardian about rewarding uberfanz wiv not just da hitz (no direct Pulp references):

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/03/bands-playing-rarities-from-their-back-catalogues-is-electrifying-live-music-again?fbclid=IwAR2G2nkQAoBp7oZJDZOY5JusGdDpFQEoGGcjcHWZnNxYKbdYVFtRNcDHgyk

-- Edited by Eamonn on Monday 16th of October 2023 09:17:09 PM

Im starting a manifestation circle in here for Countdown to be added to the setlist. Its not even been rehearsed according to Nick, and itll never happen, but its NYE, and therefore they could at least think about it. For meeeeee

When are we burning the - um - Wickerman? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

getting ahead of rehearsals - everyone rally behind the cause https://chng.it/GCZZ9sSYsj

I cant work out if this is being televised or not? The TV guide for BBC Scotland suggests not??

The day draws nearer yet. Be still my beating heart.

Hope someone knits Mark a nice Christmas scarf so he can come out on stage wearing it and then take it off after Disco 2000.

THREE WEEKS TODAY....
I'm so ready...

Up in these parts, you've got to wrap up. You could always go big on jumpers.

Can't wait!!!!! First time seeing Pulp!!

Barcroft wrote:

---

Whilst not going, I'm excited to hear all about this one, it feels like one of those standalone, memorable gigs in the making. It will also give the band some positive media mentions, and possible new listeners ahead of 2024.

I anticipate the same setlist we've up until now, but with a few modifications...

Disco 2000 surely has to come right after midnight.
Countdown to make it's your debut just before they leave the stage for midnight, I hope.
Could they also potentially play a cover here; something Hogmanay related, perhaps part of Auld Lang Syne creatively worked in as an interlude at the start of D2000?

To those going, enjoy, and don't forget your waterproofs. 50% chance of rain, so I'll keep my fingers crossed you don't need them. ;)

---

Ooh absolutely!

As for Disco 2000 after midnight - that would be amazing and would have the side effect of practically guaranteeing Mis-Shapes and maybe also Razzmatazz taking its place as the early crowd-hyping songs. Exciting to think about!

So... pre/post show drinkipoos?

Meet up in the year 202x?

A very important cause.

chng.it/6nSvc69G5P

Arrived thos afternoon and had a look at the venue from afar/high-up a few hours ago.

Er, there doesn't seem to be much space in front of the stage. I think I have the right tickets (Enclosure) but worried it will fill-up quite quickly tomorrow. Don't really want to queue before 7 o'clock...

lipglossed wrote:

---

A very important cause.

chng.it/6nSvc69G5P

---

Even with a million signatures, I could never see this happening. I think that Jarvis well and truly wants to keep that skeleton in the closet.

For some reason, I can't get "The Day After the Revolution" out of my head today. Is that a premonition?

Imagine?

Spoiler

"Monday Morning"

was allegedly soundchecked.

The queuing system at the south gate has collapsed into utter chaos due to the rank incompetence of the security team.

So, what was it? When you get a look at yr phones. No hurry.

The setlist has appeared on Setlist.fm, and it's a good 'un.

Spoiler

'Lipgloss' makes its first live appearance since Santiago in 2012 and 'Monday Morning' its first since the Pohoda festival in 2011.

 

I need everyone at Banshee Labyrinth right now to know that I am desperate to go to bed

Just back at the hotel. Amazing night, nearly lost my shit when Lipgloss dropped. Background Noise worked really well, I thought. Monday Morning was a beast. The tribute by Jarvis to his mum was really sweet.

Great to meet Bar Italians and Co. afterwards at The Banshee.

The Pulp tribute band Pulp'd need to swap their frontman out for our own Lipglossed. His cover of She's A Lady, both vocally and gesticulatively (if that's a word) needs to be seen to be believed.

Time for sleep now but we've been awake all night so why should we crash out at dawn?

Sounds like a great night :) wishing Jarvis' mam well and good health. Was Jarvis back to flying form after his episode that left him with cracked ribs? I see the FB post says 'and beyond' re the summer gigs next year. Sounds very hopeful :) I just want to do it again and again and...Happy 2024 all

Unfortunately, I couldn't go as accommodation costs were prohibitive.

It is certainly great to hear that they performed "Lipgloss" and "Monday Morning" has always been a great live song.

I wonder what has happened to "Hymn of the North". Did they just dust it off for a couple of performances in the summer or are they going to play it again?

That said, I have just had a look on YouTube and "Background Noise" seems to have evolved a bit. To me, it sounds like an outtake from the "Intro" / "His 'n' Hers" era which is a good thing. Hopefully there are more new songs to follow.

Fair point, but technically, so does "This is Hardcore" and they have played that without one.

Apparently Jarvis' mum passed away last night.

Eamonn wrote:

---

Apparently Jarvis' mum passed away last night.

---

 Terribly sad. I hope Jarvis was able to get away from Edinburgh in time to see her.

I'm so sorry to hear this news.

Sending thoughts and love to Jarvis, and his family.

heatherwealthy wrote:

---

I need everyone at Banshee Labyrinth right now to know that I am desperate to go to bed

---

 Reading this and cackling

 

Barcroft wrote:

---

Lipgloss!!!

You lucky, lucky people. I hope you had fun

---

God yes. Absolutely incredible. 

There was a moment of absolute cinema on the 31st. Me and Ester and Heather had gone for a walk/to stow bags. We were walking along the west end of Princes St Gardens and then we could hear something from far off...it took a second...it was Monday Morning. The JUBILATION was unreal.

I went to phone my gf to chat came back and they told me Lipgloss was apparently soundchecked too! Someone showed me a video and I STILL didn't believe it!

Both songs sounded really, really good. Lipgloss was triumphant - sounded so FULL. Emma absolutely NAILED the guitar in a way that even Russell never quite managed live. Absolutely full and fluent with the correct entry going into the final eruption of absolute disco craziness. The visuals were great too.

And Monday Morning - went down like an absolute tempest - I glimpsed back from the barrier and could see EVERYONE moving as far as the eye could see. Another example of Pulp capturing a moment.

Candida and Mark genial and such a powerhouse. Candida raising her glass of bubbly to everyone - what an icon! Saw Nick and he actually raised his drink to me after Lipgloss - can't believe how lucky I was! And Jarvis gave those of us at the barrier a lot of attention - he pointed & sung at me during DYRTFT, presumably because I was going utterly batshit. (Sorry to anyone who caught a stray elbow.) Mark kept his scarf on the whole time - and he had fun with Jarvis, who came over to introduce him only for Mark to point out he'd forgotten Nick - and then Jarvis thanked Nick and intentionally forgot Mark, who started strumming his guitar to remind him! Such larks.

So many of the songs were so muscular. Pink Glove throbbing in pow-wow intensity. Like a Friend so bombastic. Hardcore was an absolute fucking ripper. FCL five songs in only increased the intensity, and DYRTFT continues to send everyone completely bananas. The crowd was pretty static for the bigger song, Babies, because we'd tired ourselves out so much!

Their hitsiest set so far, and perfectly chosen for the night. Really nailed the choice of songs and the order. Sunrise to end the old year, Disco 2000 to start the new one. And Background Noise!!!

Eamonn wrote:

---

The Pulp tribute band Pulp'd need to swap their frontman out for our own Lipglossed. His cover of She's A Lady, both vocally and gesticulatively (if that's a word) needs to be seen to be believed.

---

 Was great catching up with you and Sarah Eamonn and also Simply Fuss Free, I owe you a drink! Sorry to have missed you Jarvcore.

And haha, you flatter me! It was all silliness. I might have gone a bit too far, mind, because I woke up and my voice was pretty much gone completely! And I slept through New Year's Day pretty much entirely!

Happy 2024, everyone.

Ian wrote:

---

Fair point, but technically, so does "This is Hardcore" and they have played that without one.

---

 True, but they've played 'Hardcore' for twenty-five years and usually without an orchestra. 'Hymn' has only ever been played with one. 

There was another mystery - Jarvis was at one point handed an electric guitar and replied "no we're not doing that one" - there wasn't anything else on the setlist. So what was it? After You, perhaps?

I agree with you Ian about Background Noise. It could easily have been on His 'N' Hers.

 

 

The real sadness of his mother's illness, and retrospectively her passing, really changed the complexion of things.  I mean, I'll lose my parents before I reach Jarvis's age - they're both in their late sixties. I can't imagine what that'll be like. But I am absolutely blown away by Jarvis and I can't wrap my head around how he was able to not only still go out there, but also perform in the manner he did. He was absolutely towering at Hogmanay. It must have been incredibly taxing. Fuck knows how he did it.