May 27, 2011 7:57

Pulp say friend's death inspired the band to reunite

Plus Jarvis Cocker's also been having nightmares about comeback shows

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Pulp have said that the reason why the band reformed was because of the death of a close friend of theirs.

The band made the announcement they were reforming last November and frontman Jarvis Cocker said the loss of somebody so close played a big part in their decision.

"I think that had a lot to do with it," he said, not naming the friend who passed away. "You suddenly realise you can't take things for granted." Guitarist Mark Webber added: "I always thought we'd do something together again eventually, but when he died, I realised [we] should maybe grasp that opportunity,"

Pulp played their first show since 2002 in Toulouse on Wednesday (May 25). They are set to play their first headline set at Spain's Primavera Sound festival tomorrow (May 28).

Cocker told BBC 6 Music that he's been having nightmares in the build up to their comeback shows. "I've had a few anxiety dreams already," he explained. "The favourite is usually wandering through a festival, then looking at your watch and realising you should have been on stage 10 minutes ago."

The band are set to play festivals including the Isle Of Wight Festival on June 11, London's Wireless on July 3 and Scotland's T In The Park on July 10.

Pulp are also set to headline this year's Reading And Leeds Festivals over the weekend of August 26-28, alongside My Chemical Romance and Muse.

To check availability Reading And Leeds Festivals tickets, go to NME.COM/tickets or call 0871 230 1094.

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