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Pulp Returns: Garth Jennings and Jarvis Cocker Unveil Hybrid Concert Film
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – A New Film Captures a Reunion Show
Director Garth Jennings and frontman Jarvis Cocker have released *Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore?*, a hybrid concert-documentary mixing live footage from London’s O2 Arena (summer 2025), animation, archival TV clips and personal memorabilia. The night of the performance the band learned their eighth studio album More had reached No 1 in the UK, their first chart-topping record in 24 years. The film also records Pulp’s final appearance at the End of the Road festival, billed as their last show for the foreseeable future.
Background & Context – From 1978 Origins to Recent Revivals
Pulp formed in Sheffield in 1978, achieved 1990s mainstream success, and split in 2002. A 2011-13 reunion tour was captured in Florian Habicht’s *Pulp: A Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets*. In 2022 Cocker hinted at another reunion on Instagram, prompting Jennings—who directed the 1990s videos for “Help the Aged” and “A Little Soul”—to join the project.
Data & Statistics – Milestones and Numbers
- 1978 – Formation.
- 2002 – Initial split.
- 2011-13 – First reunion tour.
- 2023 – Death of bassist Steve Mackey (56).
- 2025 – O2 Arena show filmed; More hits No 1.
- 2026 – Publication of this article; Cocker approaching 63.
Official Statements & Responses – Intentions Behind the Project
Jennings noted the film’s mix of concert and animation was inspired by the holographic AB BA Voyage show, describing it as “very inspiring.” He praised archivist Tess McNally-Watson for locating scattered archival material and confirmed a tribute to Steve Mackey was shown to the family for approval.
On-the-Ground Reports – Audience Reception Across Generations
Footage from the O2 Arena shows a crowd that includes many who were not yet born when Pulp split in 2002. Cocker called the younger audience’s embrace of the catalogue “something amazing, really.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “When Pulp got together that time, I had this idea that things had ended in a not-nice way, and I wanted it to have a happy ending,” — Jarvis Cocker
- “That was something that was very inspiring. Just the sheer joy of it,” — Garth Jennings
What’s Next – Future Plans for Pulp
The band will meet in October to celebrate the tour and attend an AB BA Voyage performance together. Cocker hinted that, if conditions are right, a new record could emerge, but no concrete schedule for another film or tour has been set.
