**Pulp Unmasked as Glastonbury’s Mystery Band ‘Patchwork’ for Surprise Pyramid Stage Set**
Festival-goers at this year’s Glastonbury were left astonished as the Britpop icons Pulp were unveiled as the secret act ‘Patchwork’ during a high-energy surprise set on the legendary Pyramid Stage. The band, hailing from Sheffield, made a striking entrance by launching into their classic track ‘Sorted For E’s And Wizz’, with the words “Pulp Summer” boldly displayed on the screen behind, laying to rest weeks of speculation concerning the festival’s enigmatic special guest.
This unexpected appearance marks three decades since Pulp famously stepped in for The Stone Roses at Glastonbury after the Manchester group’s guitarist, John Squire, was sidelined by a cycling mishap. To a chorus of cheers, the stage was initially occupied by clusters of people dressed in waterproof parkas, conjuring an atmosphere reminiscent of British summer festivals. Archival footage from Pulp’s landmark 1995 set—a pivotal moment in Glastonbury and Britpop history—flickered onscreen, adding to the sense of nostalgia and occasion.
Jarvis Cocker and his bandmates wasted no time driving the crowd into a frenzy, following their opener with the unforgettable anthem ‘Disco 2000’. This song, from their critically acclaimed 1995 album ‘Different Class’, sparked a colossal singalong, proving the enduring appeal of their 90s hits. In a trademark display of wit, frontman Cocker addressed the audience, joking, “My name’s Jarvis, we’re Pulp, sorry for those of you expecting Patchwork—did anyone work out it was going to be us?” His wry comment was met with rapturous applause.
Reflecting on the significance of their return, Cocker reminded the crowd, “Those two songs were first played on this stage exactly 30 years and four days ago. You could say they were born at Glastonbury.” He alluded to a new chapter in their musical journey by introducing their latest single, ‘Spike Island’. Released only weeks earlier as the first single from their comeback album ‘More’, it marks their return to studio recording after nearly a quarter of a century. According to the band, this track is a spiritual successor to ‘Sorted For E’s & Wizz’, connecting past and present.
Fans were treated to a diverse selection of Pulp favourites, including ‘Acrylic Afternoons’ from the 1994 album ‘His And Hers’. The performance was elevated by violin accompaniments, and Cocker delighted the crowd by theatrically waving cups in the air and tossing food into the audience, all while decked out in his signature brown suit and green shirt. He then picked up an acoustic guitar for a tender rendition of ‘Something Changed’, prompting thousands to sway harmoniously beneath the tented Somerset sky.
The crescendo of the evening was marked by an electrifying double finale—‘Babies’ and ‘Common People’. The latter, a defining anthem not just of Pulp but of the Britpop era itself, was set against an extraordinary spectacle as the Red Arrows soared overhead, drawing gasps and applause from the festival masses.
Interestingly, this memorable appearance had not been expected; prior to Glastonbury, keyboardist Candida Doyle suggested the band would not be performing. Speaking on BBC 6 Music, she revealed, “We wanted to [play], just because it’s the 30th anniversary and all, but they weren’t interested. Then we thought maybe next year, and then they said next year’s not happening either.” The element of surprise only heightened the excitement for those lucky enough to witness the set.
Formed in 1978, Pulp endured a string of obscure early releases with records such as ‘It’ (1983), ‘Freaks’ (1987), and ‘Separations’ (1992), before breaking through into mainstream consciousness amid the 1990s Britpop explosion. Their breakthrough single ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ and the album ‘His ‘N’ Hers’ positioned them as a formidable force in British pop music. The subsequent success of singles like ‘Common People’ and their historic 1995 Glastonbury set cemented their legacy.
The current Pulp line-up includes iconic frontman Cocker, Candida Doyle on keyboards, drummer Nick Banks and guitarist Mark Webber. Over their career, they have notched up five UK Top 10 singles and two UK number one albums—achievements that underline their lasting influence on the country’s music landscape.
For those in attendance, Pulp’s return was a celebration of both nostalgia and new beginnings. Their enigmatic appearance as ‘Patchwork’ at Glastonbury proved that even after decades, the band can still electrify both old fans and new generations, showing just why their brand of lyrical storytelling and melodic flair continues to resonate across the years.