On September 18th, legendary British band Pulp played their first of two sold out nights at the Hollywood Palladium. The jam-packed show brought out fans new and old, the coolest of the cool — many dawning their best British fashion. The opening act ESCAPE-ISM, was an excellent choice to be the opener for a beloved band such as Pulp. I was impressed by their unique flare that paired well with the energy that Pulp had to offer.
From the moment Pulp walked onstage, I was mesmerized at the power this band can still bring. Forming in 1978 with two hiatuses in between then and now, Pulp blares through a catalog that can still pack a room and shake up a crowd. Kicking off with “I Spy” and “Disco 2000,” the floor of dedicated fans immediately danced around, soaking up every ounce of feel-good energy that radiated from the band. They dedicated their song “Something Changed” to the late Steve Mackey, who was the bassist in Pulp since 1989.
Not only did we hear a stellar lineup of tracks on this setlist, but we also were lucky enough to hear the world premiere of a brand new song. “Farmer’s Market” debuted for the first time — dedicated to Jarvis’s wife who was also in the crowd. Pulp prove that after all this time, and at their age, they’ve still got it — a true powerhouse band that still holds the Brit pop hysteria in the palm of their hand.
GALLERY: Pulp & ESCAPE-ISM at Hollywood Palladium
in Los Angeles — September 18, 2024