Do You Remember The First Time

Hyde Park was the setting for Sheffield's finest triumphant return to London and not even the corporate muck which looms over the wireless festival like a floater in the toilet is going to spoil it.

With an impressive line-up on the various stages TT brings you the low-down on a monumental comeback.

Clock Opera

In many ways they are like Pulp. They show so much promise in their early days but will 'that hit' materialise. They manage to entice a big crowd from Metromony on the main stage churn out a litter of Friendly Fires indie electro numbers which are tinged with a darker edge. Thankfully their are no pompous scenes of Hawaiian dancers here.

The Horrors

Have they played to a bigger crowd than this? we're not so sure. Two things come to mind during their set. Firstly, they have to win the Mercury Award this year with Skying. Primary Colours was robbed in 2009 by the distinctly average Speech Debelle, and Farris' talent deserves the extra recognition and bigger exposure, which sadly, the mainstream will never give it in the current climate.

Secondly, standing in amongst 20thousand misfits and outsiders restores
TT's faith in mankind. More importantly it restores the faith that bigger and better days are in store for the Horrors of this world. In 1993 nobody thought these fans existed but then Pulp and Suede ruled the airwaves for their next few years.

Foals

What a set! 50minutes of jaw dropping indie played with a passion and drive rarely seen from bands who have already made it. Every second counted in the big top for them this afternoon, was like they still needed that first record deal. Miami is a simply stunning event. It is as if Pink Floyd lost their pomposity and donned a pair skinny jeans.

The intense heat of the big top tent is cooled with the stunning beauty of Spanish Sahara. probably the single of 2010 has this odd age group ranging crowd looking on in awe as the Oxford lads come close to upstaging Cocker's triumphant return.

Pulp

As a 12 year old in 1996 I took on a 356 paper round for the Thurrock Gazette. Armed with my brothers Daiwa Double Bass walkman and my Shine 3 compilation, I set about earning money. The purpose was very clear, I needed cd’s in my life!

Obsessed with Steve Lemacq’s Evening Session and the John Peel Show when I could get away with staying up that late, I had a list of albums I had to have. 2nd after What’s The Story was Pulp’s Different Class and owing to the fact my brother already had What’s The Story… I plumped for Cocker’s masterpiece. At the time it was sheer pop perfection that had me dancing round my bedroom. As a 27year old it is still this but lyrically everything resonates much more powerfully.

Pulp open with ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ the memories of missing the odd house out on the paper round so I could get back in time for Neighbours came flooding back.

Nostalgia aside, Pulp are as good as anything on the live circuit today. Jarvis sparkles in conversation between songs and even inappropriately dedicates the hit ‘Babies’ to his mum.

Different Class album opener ‘Mis-Shapes stirs the crowd into a frenzy. Amidst the heartless job cuts and sickening blameless culture amongst the banks, thousands upon thousands here today connect with its sentiment more than 15years ago.

Sadly Mis-Shapes and Common People are the type of tracks which bands seem incapable of writing in this narcissistic leather jacket wearing era. Nevertheless, this should not overshadow what was one hell of a comeback. Meany people knock bands reforming, to them TT says do one. this was a special afternoon, a reminder of the little guy can win and he will win again.