Pulp

Andrew Ross, contributor and the host of Spin This!

British rockers Pulp came into Suffolk Downs, Boston on a mission....to give you More. More is the title of their latest album, their first in twenty four years and on a chilly, windy night reminiscent of their homegrown roots of Sheffield, England, Pulp gave its fans much much More. 

 

Pulp took to the stage and greeted fans with classics like "Sorted for E's & Whizz" and the always energetic "Disco 2000" to start among a backdrop screen filled with classic movie clips and an array of vivid color imagery. Lead singer Jarvis Cocker was on point with his wit and quintessential dance moves. He dazzled vocally and interacted with the crowd multiple times with stories about how tracks off their new album came to light as well as one about the band meeting a man from New Hampshire earlier in the day for whom they later dedicated the track "Do You Remember the First Time" to. Always the showman he tossed grapes at the audience and again fell short of tossing one high into his own mouth on consecutive nights on this tour.

 

Pulp continued to play a proper mix of high energy classics like "Mis-Shapes" and "This is Harodcore" with slower tempo tracks like "Slow Jam" and "Partial Eclipse", the latter making its live debut on this night. At one point the core band members of Pulp gathered around for an amazing and touching acoustic version of their song Something Changed. The mood was raucous at times including the crowd shouting of the letters L.O.V.E. during their track "Got To Have Love" and I'm sure the highlight for many was when the skies opened up and rain fell during their hit "Common People". That very moment somehow elevated the level of emotion for all in attendance which made for a memorable moment during an iconic track. The rain from then on began to trickle as Pulp continued their set with the tour debut of "Razzmatazz", "Help the Aged" and one of my personal favorites, "Like a Friend". They closed the night with the serene track "Sunset" which is the final track off their latest album More. The track was written by both Cocker and former bandmate and friend Richard Hawley. 

 

Pulp on this night delivered in every way, even the airplanes that had a flight path just overhead couldn't drown out the energy and L.O.V.E in the air. On our way out, I overheard three teenage boys (one with a current Pulp t shirt on) talking about their experience at the show, especially the rain soaked moment during "Common People", for which I'm sure left them wanting.....More.