Photos/ Alexandra Geshel

Something I have been noticing recently is bands doing reunions or making a comeback or as one band may call it, doing an encore performance. What I mean by this is that Pulp is currently on tour and it’s called “This is What We Do for an Encore” which I think is a genius way of saying a reunion tour or ending a hiatus. In case you didn’t know, Pulp has not played in the United States since 2012 Coachella! It’s been nearly a decade if not longer since they have even played Chicago so this is a huge deal! To say this show wasn’t magical is an understatement! 

Pulp started their set/on the first night of their tour with a beautiful moon graphic on the stage. It began with Good Evening and then started with a few facts, like how this is Pulp 552nd show they have ever played! Then it went on to the tour name and getting fans to cheer and scream as loud as they can because it’s an Encore performance! Pulp did play 19 songs during this opening night with a few songs that have never been played live and did not one but two encores to make this night more memorable! Something that did get the crowd a little in their feelings was when Pulp played “Something’s Changed” where they dedicated the song to Steve Albini and of course their late bassist Steve Mackey who passed away in 2023. It was a very touching moment for everyone in the sold-out audience. A fun surprise however was when Pulp played “Spike Island” which had never ever been played live before so it had people so excited that they were dancing and singing along with the band!

Overall, without giving too much away on the setlist but with other fun surprises, Pulp was phenomenal live and a band you should see if you can since they’re doing super limited dates here in the United States! Truly this felt like to me at least, one of those once-in-a-lifetime feelings. Especially being able to see and hear this band live for the first time! The band has 8 more dates, and 3 cities to try and catch them in if you can! The cities include Toronto, New York, and California. Hands down though, it was a phenomenal show and I hope I have the chance to see them again if they decide to tour the states again or even do a music festival in the states again!