Pulp's first New York City show since 1998 took place at one of the city's most historic venues last night and while the band may have aged they haven't slowed down in the least. Without a single new song to perform the band tore through two hours of what was basically a greatest hits show (with a few omissions - no 'Help The Aged' or 'Cocaine Socialism' sadly!) with an emphasis on material from the Different Class album.
An amusing laser light show asked the audience a few interesting questions before showing off some animated dolphins and then inevitably asking 'do you remember the first time?' From there it was only a matter of time until the band took the stage and opened with the song of the same name. Front man Jarvis Cocker was the only one who spoke but that's part for the course with the band - and he spoke enough for all of them. Lanky and weird looking, he didn't stop moving the entire time and brought a ridiculous amount of energy to the stage. Throwing candy bars into the crowd, he (quite sincerely, it would seem) noted how flattering it was to be playing in a venue as important as Radio City and the band did a great job of filling the stage not just with sound but with lights, lasers, video projection and at one point even a bizarre dance troupe.
Cocker was completely hypnotic, using a handheld camera to project some of the close up audience members' faces onto the screens and then his own during 'I Spy' and climbing up to the first mezzanine level to dry hump the wall during the opening tones of 'This Is Hardcore.' Not surprisingly the rowdiest number of the night was 'Common People' which was the closer of the main set, though the encore was a strong one with 'Like A Friend' a strong choice. It closed up nicely with 'Party Hard' which seemed fairly appropriate, leaving an indelible impression on anyone lucky enough to have been in attendance. The band plays a second show tonight and then a few more dates before headlining the Coachella Festival. No word on a new album anywhere in sight, but some of us continue to hold out hope.
The full set list was:
Do You Remember the First Time?
Mis-Shapes
Razzmatazz
Pencil Skirt
Something Changed
Disco 2000
Sorted For E's and Wizz
F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.
I Spy
Babies
Underwear
This Is Hardcore
Sunrise
Bar Italia
Common People
Encore:
Like A Friend
Live Bed Show
Party Hard
A few mediocre camera phone pictures...