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Robin Hilton | November 13, 2025 I don’t think anyone expected to get a new album from Pulp in 2025, let alone a Tiny Desk. But the much-beloved group, fronted by the singular voice of Jarvis Cocker, returned this spring with More, its first full-length in nearly a quarter century. A couple of months later, the group celebrated with a visit to our D.C. offices for a career-spanning set. Just before making the short walk from our makeshift green room (a converted office) to the Tiny Desk down the hall, the band members held hands and sang, “This will be the very best Tiny Desk.” It’s the kind of deadpan humor long found in the band’s music, but also in their performance, as Cocker crooned, cooed and danced his way through four tracks. The oldest they played, “Acrylic Afternoons,” dates back to the 1994 album His 'n' Hers. But they also performed the jangly “Something Changed,” from 1995’s Different Class, along with one of Pulp’s career-defining and fan-favorite songs, “This Is Hardcore,” originally released in 1998. They rounded out the set with the bittersweet “A Sunset” from More. SET LIST “This Is Hardcore” “Something Changed” “A Sunset” “Acrylic Afternoons” MUSICIANS Jarvis Cocker: vocals, guitar Candida Doyle: keys Mark Webber: guitar, piano Nick Banks: cajón Emma Smith: violin, background vocals Richard Jones: viola, background vocals Andrew McKinney: bass Adam Betts: percussion, background vocals Jason Buckle: guitar TINY DESK TEAM Producer: Robin Hilton Director/Editor: Kara Frame Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai Production Assistant: Dhanika Pineda Photographer: Maansi Srivastava Series Editor: Lars Gotrich Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Executive Director: Sonali Mehta Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton #tinydesk #nprmusic #pulp
VAST is an American alternative rock band formed in Petaluma, California, in 1996. The acronym VAST stands for Visual Audio Sensory Theater and the band is the main creation of singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jon Crosby. The band is signed to 2blossoms, an independent record company created by Crosby.
More about VAST→Added
Pulp's 2025 Tiny Desk Concert is a masterclass in deadpan humor and musical precision. Recorded at NPR's Washington D.C. offices just months after the release of their comeback album More, this 21-minute set is a testament to the band's enduring legacy.
In 2025, Pulp was not exactly a household name, but they were still revered by fans for their innovative blend of Britpop and art rock. Formed in Sheffield, England in 1973, the band had been through various lineup changes over the years, with Jarvis Cocker emerging as the singular voice and creative force behind their music. With hits like "Common People" and "Disco 2000," Pulp was a staple of the Britpop movement, but they had also experimented with more avant-garde sounds, incorporating elements of jazz and electronic music into their work.
The Tiny Desk Concert features four tracks from across Pulp's discography, including fan favorites like "This Is Hardcore" and "Something Changed." These songs showcase Cocker's unique vocal style, which combines a deadpan delivery with a soaring emotional intensity. The band's musicianship is also on full display, with Candida Doyle's keys adding depth to the arrangements and Emma Smith's violin providing a haunting counterpoint.
What makes this concert clip rare and significant is its intimate setting and spontaneous feel. Filmed in a converted office space just down the hall from the Tiny Desk, the performance has an air of informality that belies the band's professionalism. As Cocker croons through "A Sunset," his voice dripping with sincerity, it's clear that this is a group of musicians who are fully invested in their craft.
The setlist is also noteworthy for its mix of old and new material. By including songs from as far back as 1994's His 'n' Hers, Pulp demonstrates their commitment to their own legacy while also showcasing their continued relevance. "Acrylic Afternoons" may be an older song, but it still sounds fresh and innovative, with Cocker's lyrics capturing the ennui of a generation.
Watching this concert clip, one can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the music scene of the 1990s and early 2000s. Pulp was one of the key bands of that era, along with Oasis, Blur, and Suede. Their music captured the mood of a generation, and their influence can still be heard in contemporary indie rock.
The Tiny Desk Concert series has been a staple of NPR's programming for over a decade, providing a unique platform for musicians to showcase their talents in an intimate setting. With Pulp's 2025 concert, the series continues to demonstrate its relevance and impact on the music world. By capturing this performance, the Tiny Desk team has given us a rare glimpse into the band's creative process and a testament to their enduring legacy.
As Cocker and his bandmates take their final bow, it's clear that they are still basking in the glow of their comeback album More. The concert may be over, but its impact will linger on long after the music fades away.
Curated from public records and music databases.
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