Jarvis Cocker and Pulp's Secret Glastonbury Set Was the Surprise We All Expected
So, it’s official—Patchwork was Pulp. Not that anyone was really fooled, right? But still, when Jarvis Cocker strutted onto the Glastonbury Pyramid Stage on Saturday evening, even the most skeptical among us felt that giddy jolt of disbelief turning into full-blown euphoria. You could practically feel the ripple in the crowd: “Is it really happening?” And then—bang— Sorted for E’s & Wizz started playing, and the game was up.
Let’s be real: this wasn’t just a gig. It was a moment. A full-circle moment, 30 years after Pulp’s iconic 1995 headline slot, which itself was a legendary last-minute substitution. And now, in 2025, they managed to top even that. The crowd roared, Cocker deadpanned an apology to anyone hoping for a band named Patchwork, and the band launched into a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and unmistakable Britpop swagger.
Also Read:This performance wasn’t just about rehashing old glories. Sure, we got the classics: Babies , Disco 2000 , Acrylic Afternoons , and of course, Common People , which exploded into a seven-minute singalong that could probably be heard in Bristol. But we also got a taste of something new— Spike Island , Got To Have Love , and tracks from their new chart-topping album More! , proof that Pulp isn’t just resting on its legacy—they’re actively adding to it.
Jarvis, ever the theatrical poet, didn’t disappoint. He flailed like a caffeinated scarecrow, flung tea bags at the crowd during Acrylic Afternoons , and kept checking his watch—only to time a Red Arrows flyover perfectly with the climax of Common People . I mean, come on, who else does that?
And let’s talk about that moment— Something Changed , performed on the same acoustic instruments they used when they first decided to reunite. It wasn’t just a throwback. It was a statement: We’re still here, and we still mean something . That little circle on stage was loaded with the kind of authenticity that most bands only dream of.
Seeing Emily Eavis, Olivia Rodrigo, and Zoe Ball all losing it in the crowd told you everything you needed to know. This wasn’t just a trip down memory lane—it was a celebration, a living, breathing reminder of what music festivals are all about: unity, unpredictability, and a shared passion that connects generations.
So yeah, we all kind of knew Patchwork would be Pulp. But knowing didn’t take away the thrill. It just made the payoff sweeter. Jarvis summed it up best back in ’95 and proved it again this weekend: “If a lanky git like me can do it, you can too.”
And if that wasn’t a proper Glastonbury send-off before next year’s fallow break, I don’t know what is.
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