No one saw this one coming. After a nine-year hiatus, Pulp have announced details of the first of a number live shows for summer 2011 that include headline slots at the Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park on July 3 and the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, Spain, on May 27.
The gigs will be the first time that all the original member of the band - Jarvis Cocker (vocals), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Mark Webber (guitar), Steve Mackey (bass), Nick Banks (drums) and Russell Senior (guitar/violin) - have been onstage together since August 24 1996.
A statement from the band reads, "
Pulp have decided to get together and play some concerts next summer. The shows will involve all the original members of the band and they will be playing songs from all periods of their career. (Yes, that means they'll be playing your favourites). In the meantime, ask yourself this: 'Do You Remember The First Time?' Thank you for your attention."
Pulp hit their creative and commercial peak at the height of the mid '90s Britpop boom and their legendary status was sealed when the band stepped in at the 11th hour to headline the 1995 Glastonbury Festival after the Stone Roses were forced to pull the gig due to injury. Their hit "Common People" became something of an alternative National Anthem. Cocker achieved further notoriety the following year when he invaded the stage during Michael Jackson's performance at the Brit Awards and wiggled his backside in protest at what he saw as the late singer's pompous presentation.
Pulp took an extended break in 2001 after the relative failure of their last album, "We Love Life."
The festival dates - particularly the London gig - has already lead to speculation that Pulp could well be heading back to the Glastonbury Festival which is held at the end of June.
Thanks for the report to Spinner.com.
