Jarvis Cocker

Pulp were inspired to reunite by the death of a friend

The ‘Common People’ group are playing a string of festival dates this summer – their first shows since splitting in 2002 – and frontman Jarvis Cocker said they were spurred by the tragic passing of someone close to the band.

Although he didn’t name the person in question, he told radio station BBC 6 Music: “I think that had a lot to do with it. You suddenly realise you can’t take things for granted.”

Guitarist Mark Webber added: “I always thought we’d do something together again eventually, but when he died, I realised we should maybe grasp that opportunity.”

Jarvis also said he has been anxious in the build up to their first show, which is at the Primavera sound festival in Spain tomorrow (28.05.11).

He said: “I’ve had a few anxiety dreams already. The favourite is usually wandering through a festival, then looking at your watch and realising you should have been on stage 10 minutes ago.”

Pulp will play at the UK’s Isle Of Wight Festival on June 11, Open’er festival in Gdynia, Poland on July 1, Wireless festival in London on July 3, Scotland’s T in the Park on July 10 and the UK’s Reading and Leeds festivals on August 26 to 28

Little Boots for Rankin, The Enemy, Youth Music charity gigs

The Enemy and Little Boots have signed up to play gigs as part of a forthcoming exhibition project by photographer Rankin for children’s music charity Youth Music. The acts will play live at London’s Phillips de Pury Gallery. Little Boots will perform on November 12, followed by The Enemy a day later (13). Tickets will be available from Youthmusic.org.uk/rankin from today. The gigs will be part of a week-long series of music and art events around the ‘Destroy’ exhibition. For the event, Rankin has asked various musicians to customise a picture of themselves with Blur’s Alex James, Carl Barat, Jarvis Cocker, Kasabian and REM’s Michael Stipe among those involved. Viewings featuring performances by acts including Patrick Wolf and Micachu will take place prior to the ticketed gigs. Head to Youthmusic.org.uk/rankin for more information.

Secret Garden Party announce more acts

The Secret Garden Party is pleased to announce additional artists to the bill for this year’s event. They are:

RODRIGO Y GABRIELLA – VV BROWN – THOSE DANCING DAYS – DETROIT SOCIAL CLUB – CHAIRLIFT – BAXTER DURY – BACKSTAGE SLUTS – AU REVOIR SIMONE – THE DØ – THE HOLLOWAYS – POCKETKNIFE & COUSIN COLE HAFDIS HULD – MEN AMONG ANIMALS- KING CANIBAL – ONE LITTLE PLANE …even more to follow.

As previously announced,

JARVIS COCKER – EMILIANA TORRINI – TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS – PHOENIX – EMF – EDDY TEMPLE MORRIS – EMMY THE GREAT – FIGHT LIKE APES – CARIBOU – BAXTER DURY – GOLDEN SILVERS – OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT – SLOW CLUB – TEAM WATERPOLO – DOGS – WE HAVE BAND – THE XX – CHEW LIPS – OFFICER KICKS – BICYCLE THIEVES – DJ FOOD – CASPA – COCOSUMA – DAEDELUS – DAN BLACK – DECODER – HELOISE & THE SAVOIR FAIRE – ENVELOPES – EVIL NINE – GUILDEAN GANG – KING CANNIBAL – ONE LITTLE PLANE – SLAGSMALSKLUBBEN – HOOK & THE TWIN – JONNY TAYLOR – KILLAFLAW – PHOTOMACHINE – LAIL ARAD – LE CASTLE VANIA – LITTLE FISH – MAMA’S GUN – MANO DE DIOS – THE QEMISTS – MIDIMIDIS – MOJO FILTER – PEGGY SUE AND THE PIRATES – PETER VON POEHL – YEARNER BABIES – REDLIGHT – ROSIE ODDIE AND THE ODDSQUAD – RUN TOTO RUN – SCREAMING LIGHTS – SHUTTLE – SPEECH DABELLE – STEALTH DJS – SAME TEENS – SARA SCHIRALLI – STEREO:TYPE – STILL FLYIN’ – THE JESSIE ROSE TRIP – THE MUMMERS – THUNDERHEIST – THE BOOKHOUSE BOYS – TODDLA T

This year’s festival offers unprecedented escape from the daily drudge of normality, the state of 2009’s Britain, and invites you into the world of Babylon & Eden, a joyous romp through the light and dark of your soul,

Besides the great line-up, there will be Action Camps, Art Installations, Boudoirs and many other delights, all home grown and hand picked for your visit to the Garden,

Tickets for 2009 are on sale priced at £137 + booking fee. That includes camping, parking, fun, frolics plus all the other hidden extras that usually lurk within a ticket price. Campervans however will be charged an additional £45 for the duration (they take up a lot of space). Teen tickets for 13-17 year olds will be £110 plus booking fee, and as per, under 13’s get in free, but still need a ticket, mind. All Early Bird tickets have now completely sold out.