So there's just a few days to go to the big one. Pulp have said on a few different occasions, from at least 3 different members, that they are not performing. And yet, rumours persist... could our heroes and heroine be having us on? If not, and they did have a surprise slot on the Pyramid stage for an hour - what kinda setlist do you think we'd get?

With the new album warranting its part in the double-sets on the arena tour this month, all bets are comparatively off compared to the static 2023 festival sets.

I think some segues work really well (i.e Sorted into Disco) and the new album is holding its own against strong legacy competition in the selection of songs.

If it was a truncated set and they really wanted to remind the crowd that "we once owned this place, bitches", 60 minutes of bangers is not beyond them.

For that reason, I would regretably omit one of Sunrise and This Is Hardcore. They would take-up close to 15 minutes of the set together and we already have Common People, which, once you take into account Jarvis introduction of the 87 people on stage, strays closer to the 10 minute mark than 5.

I'd also like at least one curveball to be thrown (á la Like A Friend's live debut in 2011) and to that end, given the new album and Glastonbury's inclusivity vibe, I wonder if Jarvis would feel this is the place to give My Sex a proper work-out.

The below is more on the realistic side rather than dream-list (otherwise the likes of Lipgloss, Party Hard and Bad Cover Version would be in).
So I'd go with summat like:

1. Spike Island (would the Glasto staging allow for Jarv to enter via the underworld?)
2. Sorted For E's & Wizz
3. Disco 2000
4. Help The Aged
5. My Sex
6. This Is Hardcore
7. Something Changed

8. OU (it should never be not played again, imo)
9. Do You Remember The First Time?
10. Misshapes
11. Got To Have Love
12. Babies
13. Common People

(14. If they're allowed an extra 5 minutes - We Are The Boyz before Babies)

Those last 6 songs are all upbeat sing-alongs with strong tempos, across four different eras and will help cement Pulp's greatness. As long as Jarvis can manage his voice and breathing for that sonic assault, it could be one for the ages...

For those that are brave enough to go to festivals, and extra brave enough to go to Glastonbury, this is a bit more teasing for you: will you make it to Monday Morning? If it is them, they've been lying very thoroughly. I did think Candida saying Glastonbury weren't interested wasn't very plausible - maybe couldn't fit them in by the time they decided they were going record an album would have sounded a bit more likely, but they have a pretty close relationship with Pulp and have had for a long time. Sounded like they caused chaos on the Park Stage.

https://www.nme.com/news/music/mysterious-billboard-from-glastonbury-tba-act-appears-in-castle-cary-3872173

It was great hearing the 2011 Glastonbury Common People on Craig Charles' show yesterday. a) because it's great and b) because I was there :)

I don't think it can be true that the Eavis' would be 'turning down' Pulp. Either Pulp will play, or they won't play the slot they've been offered.

Sturdy wrote:

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weej wrote:

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Watching but it's unlikely as 1995 was Channel 4. So far it's mostly later (like 2010s onwards) footage of acts that were big in the 90s.

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1995 has been on iPlayer before - I grabbed the full set at some point during lockdown. So there must've been some deal done for the Beeb to get the Channel 4-era footage.

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The 1995 footage, and presumably that of other years prior to 1997 when the BBC started their coverage, belongs to the festival company. Channel 4 would have only held broadcast rights for a limited time/number of screenings. ITV music programme The Beat later aired the majority of Pulp's 95 set as a special, that was credited to 'The Television Company (London) Ltd'. The BBC Four broadcast in 2011 meanwhile ended with a 'Glastonbury Festivals Ltd. 1995' caption.

Eamonn wrote:

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Gosh, your TV knowledge is unparalleled Pip.

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 Yeah, massive TV nerd. I think Stephen is more aware than most here :)

Jean wrote:

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Well, like a proper Grown Up, I fell asleep and woke up when it was all over. Was Pulp on it at all then?

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Nope! Seven acts: Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Supergrass, Travis, Faithless, Texas, Oasis.

Eamonn wrote:

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iPlayer had the whole '98 set a couple of years ago with I'm A Man included - it had been exterminated from the official Pulp releases of This Is Glasto '98 and The Park Is Mine. Presumably Pulp didn't like it cos it's chuggy and muddy. Didn't stop them reviving Grown Ups from the era, a generation later, but leaving a similar vibe, did it...

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 Really?! Don't suppose anyone grabbed it?