Sheffield's Finest Patchwork
The secret set on the Pyramid Stage this year quickly became one of the most talked-about in recent memory. Listed on the line-up simply as Patchwork, rumours swirled. Chappell Roan added fuel to the fire by posting a photo of herself holding a patchwork quilt. Robbie Williams' name was also thrown into the mix. Eventually, the truth was revealed.
It was Pulp.
The band had previously denied any plans to appear. Keyboardist Candida Doyle told BBC Radio 6 Music, “We wanted to, just because it’s the 30th anniversary and that kind of thing, and they weren’t interested.”
Turns out they were interested after all. At 18:15 on 28th June 2025, Pulp stepped onto the Pyramid Stage 30 years and four days since their legendary 1995 “super sub” performance. They declared this surprise return their own “Pulp Summer.”
Without hesitation, they launched into ‘Sorted for E’s & Wizz’, wasting no time in pleasing the enormous crowd. Song number two? Another classic from 'Different Class', ‘Disco 2000’. Two of Pulp’s most iconic tracks opened the set, making it clear they weren’t here just to make up the numbers.
Pausing briefly, Jarvis Cocker asked the crowd, “Did you know we were going to play?” The resounding "Yes!" from Glastonbury confirmed the worst-kept secret of the weekend. He then took a moment to reminisce, reminding everyone that both opening songs had debuted at Glastonbury back in 1995. That headline slot had originally come about because The Stone Roses were forced to pull out after John Squire fractured his collarbone.
Pulp followed with ‘Spike Island’, a track named after the iconic Stone Roses gig and the lead single from their most recent album. It was well received by the massive crowd gathered at the Pyramid.
What followed was a masterclass in why Pulp remain so beloved: a beautiful acoustic rendition of ‘Something Changed’, the His 'n' Hers classic ‘Do You Remember the First Time?’ where Cocker recalled his first time at Worthy Farm, asking the crowd if they remember theirs. His was a less than ideal first time. “The first time I came to Glastonbury I couldn’t handle it," regaling us with an all-too familiar tale of losing his tent and having a bad time. “You have to submit to it,” he says of the festival. “It’s bigger than all of us.”
‘Mis-Shapes’, he dedicated to the Glastonbury faithful. “You might get called these things (misfits and mis-shapes) ,” he said, “but I’d still want to spend time with you.” After all these years, Cocker remains an exceptional frontman, and Pulp are still phenomenal musicians.
They handed themselves over to the festival, and give Worthy Farm one of the weekends joyous sets. Pulp are back in the minds of the nation with a brilliant new album, and a catalogue of bangers that rivals every band at the festival. There were shouts from many that Pulp should have headlined, and I have to agree.
Their recent single ‘Got To Have Love’, a highlight from More, with nods to 1995’s ‘F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.’, also landed perfectly. Even with the newer material, Cocker’s charisma, his pointing, cajoling, and conversational asides kept the crowd completely in his grasp.
Told they were at risk of running over, they chose to play ‘Babies’ anyway. “You can’t have a Pulp gig and not play ‘Babies’,” Cocker insisted. He’s right. Thirty-one years since its release, it still sounds fresh some songs are simply timeless.
Of course, they closed with ‘Common People’ the definitive Britpop anthem about supermarkets, cockroaches, cigarettes, pool, and those who’ll never truly understand. As the band reached the song’s euphoric climax, a Red Arrows flypast tore across the sky, perfectly punctuating the moment.
The crowd a sea of people completely lost themselves. Pulp drew one of the biggest audiences of the weekend. Pulp's arena shows have all been sell outs, and the demand for them is still there. In a summer where Oasis are hitting the road, let’s not forget Pulp. They’ve always had something to say, and they still do. The new songs are brilliant; the classics remain nothing short of spectacular.
Well done, Glastonbury. This was one of the greatest secret sets the festival has ever seen. Pulp won the nation over with their set in 95, that how became part of Glastonbury lore, as one of the truly great sets where the band - who had just released Common People but hadn’t released the album Different Class. This time round the band reminded us just how good they are and always have been.