5 July: THE EDEN PROJECT, ST AUSTELL, CORNWALL

The show was a sold out 3000 capacity open air stage in the grounds of The Eden Project near St Austell, Cornwall. The Eden Project consists of a number of massive covered conservatories, or biomes, which recreate different ecological systems. The project aims to highlight the relationship between plants and people. Pulp headlined the first night (July 5) at the Eden Arena supported by Gonzales and British Sea Power. 

Although the set list shows My Legendary Girlfriend as the first song of the encore, it was dropped at the last minute and we heard I Want You and Babies, followed by the second encore as listed. Pity...

The Pulp crew all had a great time at Eden, all of them spending the afternoon in the biomes mingling with the crowds. Nice to see lots of familiar faces there who had made the not insignificant journey down to St Austell. Nice friendly atmosphere and a sci fi backdrop to rival any James Bond film... Thanks to Nick for his top photos.

BBC Choice screened an edited version of the concert on July 14th at 7pm - click here for info

Rockfeedback review    nme.com review

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole Eden experience. From getting woken up by the first bars of the sound-check to staggering back into my tent at 2.30am it really was an experience. The Eden Project was fascinating and made even more pleasurable by being able to walk round to the sound of Pulp warming up. Once it went dark and Pulp appeared it was a rather surreal view from the front row; Pulp on stage and the biomes lit up behind them. Like being at a Pulp gig in a bad sci-fi adventure to another planet! Pulp were as usual in top form. A pity Legendary Girlfriend got dropped though. I had heard a tantalising burst whilst wandering around in the afternoon. Overall it was well worth the long haul down to the land of the Pasty. (Alex Chapell)

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed Eden. I got there just in time to catch the soundcheck, which was fantastic, like a bonus laid-back Pulp concert & best of all they did My Legendary Girlfriend. It was also nice to see Pulp wandering around enjoying the very impressive Eden Project. It was another unique setting & atmosphere - like the forests, but different. When they finally let us at the stage, there was a mad stampede & though I made it to the front, I think I'm getting too old for these sprints! At last Pulp arrived to huge cheers, we were more than ready. They were fantastic, as ever. The TV cameras did get in the way a bit & the stage was further away to allow for them, but it will be worth it to see it televised. Jarvis couldn't get down to see us as much as normal, though he did try. I don't think he was allowed to jump on the monitors either as he usually does.

Then someone who was trying to spoil it for everyone got told to shut up by Jarvis (huge cheers) & there were more cheers when later the bouncers removed her. But nothing could spoil it. It was a wonderful experience. Pulp were brilliant. Jarvis was on form with the chat, the usual large variety of subjects, including incontinence & discussing the postal system with us (whether he'd missed his chance to post his Grandma's birthday card). I don't think we needed telling he was Jarvis & from Sheffield, but he did also reveal his wedding plans to us. It was nice that he introduced all of Pulp because it meant we could give them all a big cheer, so they know that we think they are just as appreciated as Jarvis.

As usual, Sunrise came too soon, but, it's always such a highlight & this was an amazing one. It just has to be the best sound in the world. During the climax Jarvis ripped off his shirt to reveal his buffalo T-shirt. Then the encores, no MLG, but they were still tremendous & it was so sad that it finally had to end. He pushed all the monitors off stage at the end, not sure why, though I've seen him do it before. Maybe it was because he wasn't allowed to jump on them? In the mayhem, he kicked his beer off stage too & me & a couple of others got a face full! I suppose that was one way of getting it, he couldn't reach to pass to anyone like normal. Not quite what I had in mind but so what! Jarvis said it had been special for him before he left us, well, it certainly was for me too. (Toni Sutton)

After THAT bus journey, I did question my sanity as I stepped into the Eden Project overcome by exhaustion. How quickly anticipation and excitement can, however, overcome doubts and negatives. Within minutes of entering the eerily futuristic Eden Project, I knew that it was going to be a fantastic and worthwhile day. My energy levels accelerated as swiftly as time appeared to fly by. I was pleased to see the rest of the band and to chat (briefly) with Candida and Nick. Hearing the sound check is always a nice bonus and this time more so than usual, given that the unbelievably fantastic rendition of 'My Legendary Girlfriend' was played and yet even more unbelievably was to be absent during the performance. Pulp were, as usual, worth there proverbial 'weight in gold' although, unfortunately, the TV cameras did detract. Although it will be nice to have a recording of their performance at the Eden Project, it would have been better without the camera intrusion. Happily, Roger and Nick both helped make up for the camera invasion, Roger, ever helpful, got me a set list and Nick (Oh! thankyou Nick) threw me his drum stick and Yvette, the other one - guess who were two delighted Pulp fans that night? The entire Eden Project adventure was truly memorable. I had a lovely time with lovely people (Yvette, Giles and Toni Sutton) and together we shared a wonderful Pulp performance experience once more. (Susan Scott)

Bootleg available from R & A Music