Pulp - Main Stage
The Yorkshire homecoming
Despite reforming back in May at Spain’s Primavera, Pulp left it till the end of August to finally make a live return to their native Yorkshire, but the wait was more than worth it as the Britpop heroes stormed the final night of Leeds Festival with a hit-laden set to a huge crowd of all ages.
Taking to the stage amidst a backdrop of neon letters spelling out the band’s name, the Sheffield band launched into ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ to instantly set bodies in motion. The set drew largely from their most famous albums ‘His N’ Hers’ and ‘Different Class’ – though there was a welcome airing of 1998 LP ‘This Is Hardcore’s’ title track and ‘We Love Life’s’ ‘Sunrise,’ from 2001.
Characteristically talkative throughout, frontman Jarvis Cocker narrated Leeds through the entire show, and taking note of the cold weather when announcing “It’s cold, but I’m going to take my jacket off and dance – but only if you promise to do so too,” before the rapturously received ‘Disco 2000.’
With cult solo artist and former guitarist Richard Hawley joining them on stage towards the end of the set, the reinvigorated Pulp sent the Leeds crowd into delirium with, of course, their seminal track ‘Common People,’ bringing to an end a weekend that’s seen the crowd defy the odds to prove once again that the August Bank Holiday event remains at the top.