22 June: Dalby Forest, Near Pickering, North Yorkshire

Support: British Sea Power

Due to Richard Hawley having problems with his hand, he was unable to support as promised on this night. His place was taken at the last minute by British Sea Power.

There was a very intense fan presence at Dalby, lots of stretching out of hands for Jarvis and faces pinned up against the backstage perimeter fence... this was rewarded, if that's the right word, by a torrent of bullshit (his word not mine) from Jarvis:"...Please, will someone stop me talking this bullshit".

Jarvis was wearing his Gonzales T shirt (Gonzales are supporting Pulp at the Eden Project on July 5 along with British Sea Power), and after some initial is-he-in-a-bad-mood-or-not worries the set went fine, with Jarvis berating Mark at one point for wearing his scarf on stage: "This is rock and roll", he said, pointing at him. Well it was a bit chilly.

There was also a good 'ex members of Pulp from the early 80s' presence, with Tim Allcard (keyboards) and Magnus Doyle (drums) lurking backstage. 

Dalby Forest - wow! Green lighting in the forest during The Trees, I Want You (which fooled me cause Jarvis got out the 'Babies' guitar, I just had to scream when I Want You came on!). Sunrise was as beautiful as ever, and it was great to see the older people with their deckchairs dancing along! And then there was Jarvis' El Toro shirt! That just topped it off beautifully! (Sharon Leach)

When Pulp made it to the stage we were so pleased to be only a few feet from the stage and we had the best night ever. My girl friend and best mate both said it was the best concert they had ever gone to, and were the first to admit that Cocker knows how to hold the crowd. The whole band seemed to be on top form and Candida was looking very fine indeed! The highlights for me had to be Bad Cover Version (my favourite pulp song from the new album), F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E. and Sorted (a great way to open the show) and two of my favourite of all time - Babies and Underwear. Underwear sounded absolutely awesome live - so much better than on the CD. I was a little disappointed with the arrangement of Common People, although it didn't stop me singing along with everyone else. I had heard from  this site that Pulp were rehearsing some old songs and was quite surprised to hear "I Want You". I have to admit that I didn't recognise it at first, but was it got going I was still able to sing along, thanks to the repeated playings of my Countdown CD many years ago. When it came to old songs, I was hoping for "Death Goes to the Disco" or "Little Girl" or even better "Razzmatazz" but not really complaining. I am just hoping I can now find time to go to another concert which is not too far away before the end of the tour - here's hoping! We left the concert playing a mix of Pulp songs from the car to entertain the many people stood waiting for coaches and so on and all raved about how good a night it had been. My girlfriend freely admits that she now understands why I keep saying Pulp are the best band of all time. (Chris Taylor)

Amazing Show! - nothing like what I was expecting, but then, I don't know what I was expecting. I loved all the songs they played especially 'I Want You' - I just wasn't expecting that. Nice to see a few familiar faces. The band seemed really happy to be an stage - they seemed to glow, especially Steve who I don't think stopped grinning all night. I got Jarvis' beer!!! - I couldn't believe it. I REALLY enjoyed Common People I hadn't heard that live since..hmm Leeds 2000. Can't wait to go to Pulp gig number 10 in August. Well done Pulp!!!! (Rachel Seed)

I am feeling a bit two-sided about the gig. At the beginning it was really cool and the atmosphere of the whole site etc. was great as well. Things were helped by the fact that I stood very close to the front and was in Jarv's touching distance. However, this bliss only lasted for about the first 10 minutes, after which I was primarily concerned with watching the people around me to try to avoid any physical  blows. Greetings to the guy in denim and especially his mate in the white shirt whose lack of human development combined with the usual alcohol and what appeared to be rather a lot of physical strength (to me at least!) who managed to mess up the rest of the gig certainly for me and I  believe lots of other people at the front as well. I hardly had a chance to watch the show (and this from such a close distance!) because I was busy trying to stay alive. In my next life, I will try to return as a 6ft 10 Arnold Schwarzenegger type. I think it's sad that the front rows always have to be occupied by pissed b******s who've got no idea about which concert they are actually at and who are  rewarded with a top view by being the rudest, most brutal and violent and thickest people in the audience. Not surprisingly, when Pulp were playing I Want You nobody around me knew the lyrics so that for once, I actually sang along even though I usually think, For God's Sake, this is not an Elton John concert.

I went to the back just before Common People. After the blows and bruises I had received during less over-well-known songs, I was not prepared to wait and see whether I could actually get out of there alive. As a result, even though I theoretically had a great view, the songs they played were great and Jarv was entertaining as usual, I actually did not have the chance to see much of the gig as I was somehow more preoccupied with trying to minimise the risk around me and to remain standing. (Jenn)

Dalby Forest should have been the best concert I've ever attended. The weather was brill (including the double rainbow). It was as if the play list was written for me - all my favourites. The support band were really sweet (especially the drummer who was concentrating so desperately hard - Ah bless)! We got there early enough to be at the front. As I say it SHOULD have been the best, and it was until the two thugs from Newcastle barged their way onto the scene. (Apparently they tickled Jarvis' toes at Newcastle University - Was this when he wrote the lyrics for Joyriders!) I could handle myself, being quite a sturdy Thirty something, but there were around ten or so youngsters in the crowd that ended up in tears. How dare these Neanderthals call themselves Pulp fans. How can they turn up and spoil everyone's weekend like that? If you read this you know who you are and should be ashamed of yourselves. We stuck it out for so long until it looked like there was going to be a riot then had to move out to the back where the view wasn't as intense but at least their were happy, smiling children playing oblivious to the 'Shit, Sleep and Drink' brigade. (via email)

(Left) a pre - concert barbeque for the group with Steve at the controls. Not the best setting, right in front of the loos!