.
It’s a flurry of activity for a band that has had long lulls – More is their first studio album in 24 years, and it’s been 13 years since Pulp performed in New Zealand.
Fans would be mad not to go and see them, with the real possibility they might not be back here again. Cool Britannia definitely still reigns all these years later.
Pulp performing at Auckland’s Spark Arena on 21 February 2026.
A vibrant and appreciative crowd gathered at Spark Arena to see a stageful of talent – nine musicians, often including two drummers and two violinists on the go at a time. Of the remaining original lineup, keyboard player Candida Doyle was a standout.
The only negative of the night was that the bangers were not just onstage – someone managed to bring a flare into the concert and let it off in the middle of the dancing crowd. While this appeared to have caused nothing more serious than shock, it was a security breach the venue will not want repeated.
Pulp performing at Auckland’s Spark Arena on 21 February 2026.
Nik Dirga
With no support band, Pulp got the crowd going wild early with rousing versions of ‘Sorted For E’s & Wizz’ and ‘Disco 2000’.
The striking stage backdrop featured, variously, a disco ball, a chandelier, a sun and supermarket aisles (during ‘Common People’).
This week marks 30 years since Sheffield singer Jarvis Cocker’s stage invasion during Michael Jackson’s performance of ‘Earth’Song at the Brit Awards.
It’s not something Cocker talks about – or is apparently very proud of – but for devotees, his pretend-mooning of the now infamous ’80s singer is just another reason to love him. After Cocker’s arrest, comedian and former solicitor Bob Mortimer emerged from the colourful world he inhabits and rushed the singer to the police station to represent him.
In the years since, he of the trademark glasses and quirky looks has lost none of his spark, with more creativity and talent in his little finger than any number of wannabees then and now.
Pulp performing at Auckland’s Spark Arena on 21 February 2026.
Nik Dirga
You wouldn’t know this was Pulp’s first concert in five months, but on a beautiful sunny Auckland evening, Cocker riffed with the audience, threw snacks out of his pockets and laughed about his songs being about sexual confusion. He even lay down on the stage while singing.
‘Spike Island’ from the new album was well received, as was the classic ‘Razzmatazz’, both highlights of the first half. After an interval, we were straight back into it with a superb performance of ‘Something Changed’.
The wacky, waving, inflatable arm-flailing tube men that already put in an appearance earlier were brought out again, and a couple of songs later, Cocker pulled out some Yorkshire teabags and started tossing those into the crowd, too.
Pulp performing at Auckland’s Spark Arena on 21 February 2026.
Nik Dirga
Before we knew it, two-and-a-half hours had flown by, and we were back on the tub-thumping anthems again with ‘Babies’.
Pulp’s cool Yorkshire frontman had energy to burn, and the crowd was fizzing, pumping and jumping.
The amazing ‘Common People’, a funny and plaintive ode to underclass hopelessness, is one of the best songs ever written – and we are all in a Pulp frenzy by this point. With a final long goodbye, the silhouetted Jarvis Cocker sees us off with ‘A Sunset’.
It’s true what the tour’s title said – You Deserve More Pulp.
