December 9, 2012 16:20

Pulp turn back time at Sheffield homecoming gig

Band delve into their back-catalogue at their first gig in the city for a decade

Photo Gallery: Pulp
Photo: Joey Maloney/NME

Pulp played a triumphant and emotional show at Sheffield Arena last night (December 8), their first gig in their hometown since 2002.

The band took the opportunity to play a few songs from early in their career. In what Jarvis Cocker described as "time travel", the band covered the 12,000-seater venue in toilet paper, a nod to the band's low-budget alternative to pyrotechnics when they started out.

Pulp were then joined onstage by former members, including Cocker's sister Saskia, for 1983 track 'My Lighthouse'. This was followed by 1985's 'Little Girl (With Blue Eyes)' and 1991's 'Countdown'.

The gig also marked the first occasion that the band have ever performed 1999's 'Born To Cry' live, with Richard Hawley making one of several guest appearances on guitar.

The set also featured most of the band's crowd-pleasing hits, including 'Common People' (you can watch fan-footage of the band performing the track below), 'Disco 2000' and 'Babies'. As confetti rained down after closer 'Something Changed', Cocker led the audience in singing Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas'.

The set was met with a rapturous reception, with local fans joined by many who had travelled from as far afield as Mexico and the USA to witness the show. Cocker told the crowd: "Even now, I still get scared when we play Sheffield. So thanks for coming and being so nice to us."

Many fans expressed their delight at attending what could possibly be Pulp's last ever show on dry land. Their only upcoming tour dates are as part of the Coachella Cruise, which visits the Bahamas and Jamaica later this December. It is thought the band are likely to then go back on hiatus.

Pulp played:

'Do You Remember the First Time?'
'Monday Morning'
'Underwear'
'A Little Soul'
'Disco 2000'
'Sorted for E's & Wizz'
'F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.'
'I Spy'
'My Lighthouse'
'Little Girl (With Blue Eyes)'
'Countdown'
'Babies'
'Like A Friend'
'Help the Aged'
'Party Hard'
'This Is Hardcore'
'Sunrise'
'Bar Italia'
'Common People'
'Sheffield: Sex City'
'Born To Cry'
'Razzmatazz'
'Mis-Shapes'
'Something Changed'

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