Aug 28 - Pulp headline Wythenshawe Park in Manchester

[seductivebarry]

So we are probably expecting a return to the normal festival set for this I guess...

Those up in Manchester or have been to Wythenshawe before....Is there parking for this? Or is it a case that those of us from further away should get a Premier Inn and public transport in?

[eamonn]

They've rehearsed enough of Seppy to finally put it to live use and educate the Johnny Come Latelys.

I'm staying near Timperley. Oh Minnie I can feel the pain!

[Ian]

So we are probably expecting a return to the normal festival set for this I guess...

Those up in Manchester or have been to Wythenshawe before....Is there parking for this? Or is it a case that those of us from further away should get a Premier Inn and public transport in?

I'm not sure about parking but in terms of hotels, I have always found it cheaper to stay in the Salford area. I did stay at the Britannia in Manchester a couple of years ago; not only did they charge me "tourist tax" but they asked me for ID when I checked in and tried to take a copy of it (I stopped them). Strange.

[seductivebarry]

How are you both getting there from Salford/Timperley?

Sorry. As I've developed a nasty habit of trying to have every last detail organised as I've got older.

[Ian]

I'm not actually going as I am away that weekend. I meant in the past, I have stayed in Salford. Timperley looks closer though.

[seductivebarry]

Haha! Sorry. I must admit I've tried to sell my tickets on resale since the Southbank show came up but there's been no takers, which isn't really a bad thing.

[eamonn]

I think the tram links are decent. Worst case, taxi if it's not too dear.

[seductivebarry]

If anyone else is in a similar position - I see there is parking For about £20. So I'm doing that and getting a cheaper 'out of town' Premier Inn.

[Barcroft]

Haha! Sorry. I must admit I've tried to sell my tickets on resale since the Southbank show came up but there's been no takers, which isn't really a bad thing.

There's over 1,000 people on the Twickets resale list.

Give that a go, it will sell in seconds on there.

[seductivebarry]

Thanks @Barcroft  !

[Pip]

As Jarv once said, it looks like Wythenshawe is gonna be a wet mother...

[eamonn]

Fucking Manchester weather. Pissed down at Castlebowl too.

[ham]

If anyone else is in a similar position - I see there is parking For about £20. So I'm doing that and getting a cheaper 'out of town' Premier Inn.

I'd advise against this. It took some people two hours to get out of the on-site car park at the Wythenshawe Park gigs this weekend, and the park and stride options ("no queueing to get into the car park, and no rush to get out") have been just as bad.

The roads around the park have been an absolute nightmare after the gigs. If you're driving and are able to walk, I'd strongly recommend parking your car about a 30-minute walk away from Wythenshawe Park in the direction of where you're travelling afterwards.

Set times

DOORS 16.30
---
SEB LOWE 18.00
SELF ESTEEM 19.10
PULP 20.55
---
CURFEW 20.30

Venue

I was at The Cure on Friday. I like the venue with a few caveats:

Firstly, they've added an accessibility platform in a prime position on the left (obviously a good thing!) - but this means that a) there's a bottleneck between that and the sound desk and b) it's wiped out a big portion of the standing space behind it. So it gets VERY crowded on the left. There's a lot more space on the right. If you're on Instagram, you can see what I mean by looking at this shot from a drone: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcUa12HEY1v/. Apparently there was plenty of space near the front too if you could get through the bottleneck! If you get anxious in big crowds, you'll be much better using the north gate and completely avoiding the west side of the venue.

Secondly, there are some fairground rides at the back - and they didn't turn the music off during the headliner. You couldn't hear them over the band but you absolutely could between songs.

Thirdly, it's an outdoor gig in Manchester - so there'll be lots of men in their 50s who've had too much to drink who are there to hear three songs and will talk throughout the rest.

The sound is great though. Better than almost every indoor venue I've been to.

[Ian]

Fucking Manchester weather. Pissed down at Castlebowl too.

Do you mean when Pulp played at the Castlefield Bowl in 2023? There was some light rain in the morning but it was definitely dry and mostly sunny by the time the gates opened.

[Pip]

Fucking Manchester weather. Pissed down at Castlebowl too.

Do you mean when Pulp played at the Castlefield Bowl in 2023? There was some light rain in the morning but it was definitely dry and mostly sunny by the time the gates opened.

Yeah, Castlefield Bowl was fine during the gig, quite a nice evening. Scarborough was where the heavens erupted, we were all soaked through but happy.

[eamonn]

Soz, yeah, Scarborough.

I'm having second thoughts on this gig. They're only on for 90 minutes and it's gonna be raining throughout... I assume The Cure did a 2hr show last week? Why can't Pulp do the same? They've been doing  over 2hrs at indoor gigs since More came out.

[Barcroft]

Did the 2 hours from previous gigs include the interval?

1:35 does seem a tad light.

The rain may stay off or just be passing showers, it's currently forecast at 40% chance on the Google forecast, it could change by Friday.

[MaffyB]

I was also at The Cure (2hr15min set.. I'm sorry 90mins is poor).

I was down the right hand side in the middle to begin with, I personally thought the sound was a touch too quiet (although crystal clear). If you go down that right side keep well away from the Green Sidings (with the flags on top) as this turned into a motorway 6ft wide of people coming and going all night.. I moved further back and just accepted it was going be a talky gig.  I heard from a friend the left side was unbearably packed.

We had a car picking us up.. but took them 1 hour after the end of the show to be able to get to us. Police had closed surrounding roads. Had I known I would have arranged pick up further away.

Won't be attending this one but I'm sure it will be a blast regardless. I'll be at the last one.. crossing fingers End of the Road delivers the goods...

[eamonn]

Did the 2 hours from previous gigs include the interval?

1:35 does seem a tad light.

The rain may stay off or just be passing showers, it's currently forecast at 40% chance on the Google forecast, it could change by Friday.

Closer to 2.5hrs with the interval. They've been getting up to 25 songs at recent concerts. 95 minutes is more like 20 max.

[Violin_Thing]

Also having second thoughts after seeing pictures of The Cure and the set times, but alas the train is booked.

[eamonn]

Finsbury Park '23 had a similar set time, only 17 songs played.

At least there's the pop-up shop to explore.

[Barcroft]

With the live album being 1 hour 28 minutes, might they play it in full during their 1:35 set???

[Weed]

With the live album being 1 hour 28 minutes, might they play it in full during their 1:35 set???

The album omits much of Jarvis' chit chat that can often go on for as long as the songs. You're looking at 15 or 16 songs tonight.

[eamonn]

With the live album being 1 hour 28 minutes, might they play it in full during their 1:35 set???

Half the crowd would drift off during Farmers and only 65% would regain enthusiasm after.

[eamonn]

With the live album being 1 hour 28 minutes, might they play it in full during their 1:35 set???

The album omits much of Jarvis' chit chat that can often go on for as long as the songs. You're looking at 15 or 16 songs tonight.

17 is the Finsb minimim benchmark with that stupid 10 minute intro vid.

Still, at least there's Pulp karaoke after back at the Pulp pub. And then we went for rides.

[Pip]

In the unlikely event that anyone here desperately needs a ticket, I've put mine up for resale as I've only gone and done my back haven't I. Help the aged (41).

https://secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/1F00636AE0D98EAE/ltt2wy3s (half the price of face value)

[eamonn]

Ah no, gutted for you, mate!

Some still scoring cocaine
Pip laid up with back pain

[Pip]

Ah no, gutted for you, mate!

Some still scoring cocaine
Pip laid up with back pain

Cheers Eamonn. I feel better having seen the setlist, I feared I may have missed a deep cut ala Death II and Don't You Want Me Anymore, but thankfully not.

https://pulpwiki.net/Pulp/Live28August2026WythenshaweParkManchester

[rococo_zephyr]

Having been to the Paris and Southbank shows this year I was still tempted to do this (even with a ticket for EotR next weekend) but having seen the setlist kind of glad I opted to see Nick Cave at Rock en Seine instead. What was it like for those who were there? 

[eamonn]

No setlist surprises but a thoroughly entertaining concert. The crowd were really up for it. Pulp were on 5 minutes early and quick out of the gates. Beginning with Sorted (Jarvis not playing the guitar - is that common? Maybe when they start the set so that he has a proper intro to the crowd) and Disco 2000, two songs down by 9pm.

OU was a highlight for me. I just feel that  it should always be in a Pulp set. Jarvis' genius crowd participation plus the fact that it's catchy and upbeat gives it proper live credentials. Did Russell come up with that distinctive riff on the violin or was it "ported" across from the guitar or keyboard? It's one of the most distinctive bits of melody in Pulp's canon, arguably. In a way, a bit like the Rattlesnakes main riff - again on violin. Both feel so obvious, you feel that you must have heard them somewhere else before. Anyway, I digress..

Jarvis drew attention to it being Pulp's last big gig for the foreseeable but he hoped there would be more in the future. Everyone looked like they were still enjoying themselves. Mark not afraid to bring that pink scarf back as soon as the heatwave has finished! Jarvis got the crowd to sing Happy Birthday to Saskia's boyfriend, Rana, which I assume will have made his year.

This "classics plus upbeat singles from More and Begging For Change" is hard to quibble with especially at a big outdoor event with a high percentage of casuals.

The obvious swap is  Farmers Market (played again tonight - and perfectly nice and touching) for Something Changed which was the big omission. Without the gig being split into two like their indoor shows since last year, I guess it lost it's carefully considered slot in the running order.

Self Esteem was very impressive before Pulp, Jarvis must have forgot to mention the support acts as he always thanks them.
Didn't get the vibe that Rebecca Taylor is particularly a Pulp fan?!

In terms of new merch, there was a nice grey Pulp tee with Wythenshawe referenced plus an image of the four Pulp cutouts. Made me think they've missed an obvious shirt design with just the cutouts, not tied to a particular gig. There was also a ridiculously ostentatious blanket/throw of some of the More artwork for £65.

All in all, another really enjoyable Pulp show and if it's the last one for a while, it was a pretty decent one to finish on.

[HoltbyCity]

Didn't get the vibe that Rebecca Taylor is particularly a Pulp fan?!

She is

[eamonn]

Fair enough. Might have misinterpreted her humour, she said something like "It's a dream play true-ish to play alongside Pulp" and something else like "Come on Pulp fans" when looking for a bit more physical reaction from the crowd at one point.

[liltman]

I think they're quite pally - sure I read a quote from her bigging them up before. She also supported them at the comeback Warrington gig in 23. I think she was maybe a bit frustrated at the lack of action from the crowd though, at least to begin with.

My 16th Pulp gig and one of my favourites. 31 years after the first, really amazing to watch my eldest insist we head down the front. A girl with massive anxieties, totally engrossed and singing along at her first outdoor gig. Amazing night. Could have been longer but they packed a lot in!

[ChasingNewspapers]

Glad I went, and really happy to hear OU and Razzmatazz. I was further back than ideal as we got there a bit later than intended, so my own fault really, but sound quality still good, though there were several around us who weren't quite as into it (as Eamonn predicted upthread, they started gassing during Farmers Market).
I thought as a venue it wasn't the best - massive queues we had to walk past just to get into, for example, and there seemed to be confusion about who was going where.

The band were amazing as always - sad no encore and smaller set than we've been spoiled with.


Re: last gig for a while (which we expected anyway) - he said something before DYRTFT about "last" but I didn't quite catch it as people around me were talking, did anyone catch exactly what he said?

Tbh even fairly far back and surrounded by more casual fans, there were still people around me singing all the way through, loads wearing tshirts not just at the park but around the city centre. Hopefully it's not the end (at the End Of The Road).

[liltman]

Think he was saying the last time was the Co Op gig last June?

[eamonn]

Yes and something like "So because this is our last gig of the tour/for now, maybe I should be asking you "Do you remember the last time?" with a smile as a smattering of boos were heard.

[HoltbyCity]

I thought the crowd was great.  Really nice people with good energy.  A big change from all the dickheads at Tramlines a year ago.  The setup seemed to work well for me, the only issue was being kettled in completely the wrong direction I needed to go on the way out

The band sounded top (even without the live strings we've been spoilt with for a while).  I thought the set was good - I know it's never going to happen when there's Razzmatazz and O.U, but I do miss Lipgloss

[scottfrazer]

I thought the setup of Wythenshawe was absolutely spot on. Not masses of stalls to waste money on expensive food, good number of bars, rest areas, a really good crowd too. Just wished for a slightly longer set. Beggars cant be choosers though, still an amazing night of which I was proud to be a part of.