"The day was hot, dusty and smelly. My two sons took me to the Festival, and I sat at the back listening to all the other bands...I'd painted the word Pulp on my sling (I should point out that Kathy was at the time wheelchair bound after an operation - Ed.), and people stopped and commented - all good by the way. I lost count of the amount of people who squatted beside my chair for a chat and to tell me what a great band Pulp are.

My daughter had secretly been doing some organizing and had got the organisers of Livid to let me go side stage to watch Pulp. Four muscle-bound types lifted my chair up the stairs and we were shown to a corner. The crowd were chanting "Pulp, Pulp", and finally Mark ran on to the stage and started checking the equipment - so the crowd started chanting "Mark, Mark".

Finally I spotted Steve, then Nick, then Jarvis heading up the stairs. I looked towards the stage and waited for them to run on. Where were they?? I turned to look for them and they were all standing beside me (slow down heart). Steve looked at me, I smiled and he nodded. I glanced over at Candida and couldn't believe how tiny she is. I then glanced at Jarvis. He smiled and said hello, I said hello back (oh good, I was breathing again). Nick was right beside me, stretching his arms and bouncing on the spot. I said hello and asked how he was. "Primed, that's how I am, primed", he answered.

I thought this was too good an opportunity to let slip by. I asked Nick if he thought Jarvis would sign a photo for me. He said he'd ask and after a quick chat with Jarvis he leant over and said, "Your wish has been granted". My son burst into tears at this stage, the excitement was too much for him (he is only 15 after all). 

While this was happening, the rest of Pulp had been introduced on stage and they were playing, waiting for Jarvis. The show was brilliant. The crowd was huge and energetic. The applause was thunderous and the crowd sang along to every song. A slight hiccup at the beginning of Hardcore didn't dampen the evening at all, and the finale, Common People, had the crowd nearly drowning out Pulp with their singing. With the final beat, Nick threw his drumsticks into the crowd and the band left the stage.

I was over the moon, and still am. I put the photo back in its frame and re-hung it as soon as I got home and the excitement of it all made sleeping impossible until the wee small hours of the morning. It was worth the wait to see them live and I will be forever grateful to my three children for helping to make the day such a success. All in all...life is Pulpy. (Kathy Keenan)