On September 16, I finally made the trip to Toronto to see Pulp perform at Budweiser Stage—a moment long overdue.
As one of the Britpop bands I never had the chance to see back in the ’90s, this show felt especially significant.
With some of the best albums from that era under their belt, Pulp more than lived up to the wait.
Time hasn’t slowed them down one bit and it was an unbelievable performance from start to finish.
They kicked off with “Sorted for E’s & Wizz” and “Disco 2000,” songs that had the whole crowd singing along (myself included). From there, the band blended classics with new material, including “The Spike Island,” the lead single from their 2025 comeback album More. The setlist drew heavily from Different Class and More, with a few gems from This Is Hardcore and His ’n’ Hers woven in.
The night’s most breathtaking moment came with “This Is Hardcore”—an epic performance that began with a nod to the End of the Line remix, Jarvis Cocker seated beneath a chandelier, delivering the song’s drama in true theatrical style.
When I got into the photo pit for three songs—“Do You Remember the First Time?”, “Mis-Shapes” (a personal favorite), and “Got to Have Love”—I had the perfect vantage point to capture Jarvis’ swagger and his connection with the audience.
The main set wrapped up with the inevitable but always powerful “Common People,” which turned the venue into one big sing-along.
Overall, it was a night of Britpop nostalgia and a reminder of why Pulp has always stood apart. For fans who lived through the era—and for those discovering them now—it was a show to remember.
Opening up the show was Hamilton Leithauser with some indie rock and pop music.
Check out the gallery.
