Peak-era Pulp line-up reforms for Primavera, Wireless 2011

Following months of rumours and increasingly feverish interweb speculation, various quarters have now confirmed that Pulp are reforming to play a select handful of festival shows in 2011.

The classic line-up of singer Jarvis Cocker, bassist Steve Mackey, violinist Russell Senior, keyboard player Candida Doyle, guitarist Mark Webber and drummer Nick Banks have not played together since 24 August 1996. Senior left the band in 1999, and Pulp have officially been “on hiatus” since 2002.

Confirmed gigs for the returning six-piece so far include the Primavera Sound festival in Spain on 27 May and the Wireless festival in London’s Hyde Park on 3 July. While the idea of Pulp reforming but not playing Glastonbury seems absurd – the band having delivered one of the festival’s all-time greatest headline sets in 1995 – no announcement has yet been made about a return to Pilton.

Pulp have long resisted the idea of a comeback, with Senior in particular having expressed distaste at the idea and Doyle’s recent ill health bringing its own troubles. But Blur’s triumphant return to the spotlight in 2009 is said to have given frontman Jarvis pause for thought, according to the tabloids at least – and no doubt Suede’s impressive return to the arena stage this year will have further fuelled the fire. Perhaps Oasis splitting up had some bearing on proceedings as well.

Pulp’s official website, www.pulppeople.com, has been resurrected and currently features a series of “FAQs” about the reunion, starting with “Is this really happening?”. Our favourites include “Is this an accident waiting to happen?”, “Is this a collective midlife crisis?” and “Is this just the kind of tonic the country needs at the moment?”.

There are, as yet, no answers to any of these questions, but “Is this a chance to see the last truly important pop group this country produced?”, while a little cocky perhaps, is pretty much bang on the button.

Although only two dates have been announced so far, it’s highly unlikely Pulp will have regrouped for so few gigs. If you’ll allow our minds to wander a little, an appearance at Coachella 2011 is by no means out of the question – and consider for a second the prospect of a Pulp-curated All Tomorrow’s Parties/Nightmare Before Christmas!

“Do you remember the first time?” Not half…

Tickets for the Wireless Festival go on sale Friday 12th November at 9am and are priced at £48.50 plus booking fee. Tickets available at www.wirelessfestival.co.uk.