Galway Big Day Out, 11 July

Set List: The Fear / Do You Remember The First Time /  Glory Days /  Seductive Barry / Sorted / Party Hard / I'm A Man / This Is Hardcore / Sylvia / Help The Aged / Common People 

It's 5pm and time to go back to the 'Star Entrance' to look out for Pulp. The man says that Pulp have arrived at the airport and are on their way here. A few minutes later, they arrive. Richard Priest and Steve look tired, stressed out and fed up as they walk up to the guest list with me following from a distance. I saw Mark and thanked him for the invitation. 

Ok, ten minutes before showtime. Nick looks like a film hero immersed in thought, Richard has a kind of majestic poise as if he is in full control (I suspect it is the opposite!)...Now into the concert but a new problem arises: you can't get to the front unless you have a white armband. Is this communist Czechoslovakia or what??! Look, blue armband, guest pass, pleease! 

The crowd were dancing and jumping; there were 20,000 - 30,000 people there because my armband says 30,081. The music was not upstaged by commerciality which is how it should be.

The Fear is definitely an ideal opener, it leaves an impression. I won't comment on each one but I'll mention that Help The Aged came across very well...Party Hard was introduced with a speech by Jarvis about whether people had come for wild flowers, fresh air, or to PARTY? Party of course. Common People to round off the show and I know why I like to see them live. When I first heard the album I wondered how on earth they would turn those songs into a live show without losing any of the dark and intimate spirit, but there you go...even the skies liked the set, it stopped raining. What more can you ask? But you know what, I miss Bar Italia at the end of a concert - and Russell. (Dominique Hoffman)