Pulp - Live at The O2 Arena, London - 14th June 2025

Nostalgia has its place.

For some, it’s a chance to roll back the years and revel in times when life was simpler and the waist was thinner. For others, it’s a handy retirement plan.

Like most things, for Jarvis Cocker and Pulp, it’s an opportunity to cock a snook. As the frontman rises from beneath the stage, he’s disguised as his iconic cardboard cut-out from Different Class.

As on the recent AI-generated video for ‘Spike Island’, which uses the same cut-outs as its foundation, Pulp are happy to acknowledge their past, but opt to use it to create More art.

The consummate showman, Jarvis calls this Friday night show a, ‘high pressure evening’, not only is it their debut at the arena, not only is it being filmed, but it’s also his wedding anniversary – with his wife in the crowd.

Yet if there is any pressure, it only energises the band. From the outset, he has the 20,000-strong audience eating out of his hand.

https://www.live4ever.uk.com/pulp-o2-arena-london-gig-review/