Can I just apologise for the length of this essay- I don't think Ive ever written anything this long on the forum, but Ive had a few thoughts over the past day or so and I wanted to get them off my chest and see what your opinions are

Firstly, when Pulp got together in 2011, I remember at the time thinking that, they were almost like they were their own tribute act- like they were playing the part of Pulp, rather than actually being them (if that makes any sense). That feeling kinda went away after I saw them play Sheffield. I dont know why i thought it, there was just something pecking my head about it being not completely authentic, but at the same time they give me everything that I wanted 

Now fast forward to 2023, I was excited when they announced they were getting back together again, but that feeling came back and I wasnt as excited as i was back in 2011, it just felt a bit meh but i knew I was going to go and see them regardless. This meh feeling was magnified when it was announced that Steve wouldnt be joining them, I was a bit deflated to be honest.. But when his passing was announced I was so sad about it all and I was thinking that maybe they shouldve just left Pulp as it was, just a happy memory.

Obviously that didnt happen. So, I went to the neighbourhood festival (Warrington) to see what deal was.. First thing that struck me was the scale of the production, the orchestra, the graphics, the amount of people wearing a Pulp t- shirt (young and old)- it took me back a bit because it wasnt anything like I imagined- I saw most of the acts of the day Pulp were playing and they were leagues ahead of everyone, they had it all, the songs, the front man, the lot. It was sad to hear Jarvis talk about Steve but I remember thinking after the concert, fuck me, if he was looking down on them tonite, he would be loving it, cos they were great- thats what was pleasing- they were good without him, cos if they were bad without him, it would have been tragic 

So looking at the band now, after all this has sank in, I think it actually took some proper guts in my opinion to do this without Steve and god knows how the band- especially Jarvis can go out and do what they do, cos I know if it was me who lost a close friend (or my mother) I wouldnt be able to say anything without crying. This is why this band is so good- cos its not just the songs, its everything about them, they give it everything. 

The above thoughts came to me last nite whilst I was watching a YouTube video of the Edinburgh sound check that someone uploaded and basically they played roughly half a set to a small gathering crowd on the street- they were singing along and clapping and Jarvis thanked them at one point and i just thought it was the coolest thing. Ive no idea why but this video just got me emotional- I wasnt crying i was just in awe of them. They played Common People at the end of the sound check and it properly hit me, like never before, just how good the song actually is! The music, the lyrics, everything and i was thinking, it actually is a classic in the real sense, it will never get old, people will always like it and it will always remind you of the band- its the song you say to people if they dont know who Pulp are and they are like, yea, I know that song.

Anyway, finally, my thoughts on the 2023/ 2024 version of Pulp are completely different on what they were when they announced the encore. I feel like this is properly them, like they feel the songs, rather than just play them and the additional members to the band are great. I feel like this time, compared to 2011, we have something more. I know we got After You but we didnt ever hear it at a concert. This time we have Background Noise and they are playing it- I know its not much but it just feels more that theyve got a new song and they are performing it- we also got Hymn of the North as well. 

After I watched the sound check, I watched a recording of the concert and theres a couple of things I want to say- Firstly, Jarvis voice has obviously changed over time and he cant hit certain vocals that he used to, like the doos at the end of disco 2000 for example- but on a couple of the songs, the band chipped in to plug the gaps and holy shit, it makes a massive difference- this should happen a lot more, like if they sang the chorus of lipgloss with him, or the chorus of Pink Glove, I think it would elevate the songs so much- obviously this is my opinion and some of you may not agree.

Im not slating Jarvis voice- its just different, like I think it sounds great on Background Noise

Lastly Jarvis told the crowd at the end of the concert that he loves them- something that hes said a couple of times on this tour- it might mean nothing, but this just added to my thoughts on them being more genuine/ authentic and hes also said a couple of times something along the lines on hes born to perform (I cant remember the rest) but it just made me feel like theres something on the horizon, like the Pulp story is not over. But if it is- thats OK cos this encore tour has made me love the band even more x