Pulp get political at Primavera Sound

Band show solidarity with Catalan protest at comeback show

Francis Whittaker - 28 May 2011

Frontman Jarvis Cocker dedicated signature tune 'Common People' to protesters in the Catalan capital's Placa Catalunya, whose peaceful camp against the country's 45% youth unemployment rate had earlier been violently disrupted by police, much to the consternation of local festival-goers.

The Sheffield band's set list was comprised mainly of songs from their 'Different Class' and 'His N Hers' albums, with the title track from 'This Is Hardcore' making an appearance, alongside lead 'We Love Life' single, 'Sunrise'.

Early track 'Razamatazz' provided an apt encore, in tribute to a popular local nightspot of the same name.

Many fans blamed FC Barcelona's forthcoming Champion's League final fixture against Manchester United as the reason for the crackdown in the city, as demonstrators sought to reclaim a foothold in the centre as the second night of the event drew to a close.

The Britpop band's first reunion shows had been feverishly anticipated, with further festival shows at Wireless, Reading and Leeds among the highlights of their summer calendar.

Earlier in the evening, festival-goers were left oblivious to the sudden death of soul legend Gil Scott-Heron, whose recent cohort Jamie XX played a DJ set on the event's Pitchfork Stage.

As news of the musician's filtered through in the early hours of the morning, a sense of genuine shock gripped many punters on site.

Primavera Sound 2011 continues today (28 May), with the likes of Animal Collective and Fleet Foxes set to grace Parc del Forum.

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