Pulp’s fan club president dished out Jarvis Cocker’s trouser scraps – and his car – to fans. Then he joined the band

Published

7 months ago

November 17, 2024

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Mark Webber’s role as Pulp’s fan club manager started simply enough, writing newsletters and posting out small bits of memorabilia such as postcards, stickers and badges. But, just like the band he loved, he wanted to do things a little differently.

A balloon launch to drum up publicity in their hometown of Sheffield didn’t attract too many people, he recalls, but one did make it all the way to Slovenia. The following year, he cut up a pair of Jarvis Cocker‘s trousers into 500 pieces, “all put in individually numbered envelopes and sent out to fans”.

It was 1993, a decade on from the release of Pulp‘s debut album, but still two years before they were to achieve huge mainstream success. A few years later, they decided to offer Cocker’s old Hillman Imp car, no longer roadworthy, as a competition prize. “It was crushed, compacted into a cube, someone won it, and we delivered it in a truck to their garden.”

It was genius silliness, indicative of the time. Nowadays, if you’re a young fan who loves a band or an artist, you assemble on social media – but back in the 1990s, it was all about signing up to the official fan club.

For Webber, who started out as a Pulp fan himself, it was a dream job which eventually led to him becoming the band’s tour manager – and then, just before they hit the height of their fame, joining as guitarist.

Following the group’s second and long hoped-for reunion in 2023, he is now telling his story – from super fan to joining the band – in I’m With Pulp, Are You?.

It’s not an autobiography as such, but a scrapbook of moments told mainly through ephemera collected over the last five decades, from photographs and flyers to set lists and press clippings, as well as other notes and scribblings kept through the years.

Webber went through his hoard during the pandemic lockdown. “It was in disarray at the time,” he says. “I hadn’t looked at it for so long I was finding things I couldn’t even remember what they were.”

‘We were in a bubble – suddenly the world caught up’

His story with Pulp starts in 1985, when he was an “obsessive” teenage music fan hanging out at a small independent record store in Chesterfield “where all the weird kids would go”. Back then, the band’s fan base was small, he says, and they were “amused” by the “daft, psychedelic kids” who followed them. They got to know them.

Webber eventually started helping out with stages sets before taking on the fan club duties. Then his role morphed again as he was called on to play guitar and keyboards at live shows, and began to contribute to songwriting.

He became an official member in 1995 – just before they became one of the biggest bands in the UK with their fifth album, Different Class, thanks to songs such as Disco 2000, Sorted For E’s and Whizz, and signature track Common People.

“Do you think it’s a coincidence that happened just as I joined?” Webber asks, laughing. “There was this trajectory. There was such a momentum building that it just became clear that, like, every next thing the group did was going to be more successful.”

It was a strange feeling, he says. “Because we were in the bubble at the time, just doing our thing, and suddenly the world had caught up and kind of realised how great Pulp was.”

I’m With Pulp documents some of the milestone moments in the band’s history, such as the 1995 Glastonbury headline set, before the release of Different Class, which came about at short notice after The Stone Roses were forced to pull out. Webber recalls how the band spent the night camping backstage.

“That was horrible because I hate camping,” he says. “And the concert, at the time it didn’t feel like such a great show. But everyone seemed to love it.”

Headlining Glastonbury – but camping in tents

Looking back at the roster of recent Glastonbury headliners – Elton John, Paul McCartney, Adele, Dua Lipa, The Killers – it’s hard to imagine any of them pitching a tent in the mud before performing to 100,000 people.

“Well, I’ve never spent the night in a tent since then,” says Webber. “So it changed my life.”

A more infamous incident in Pulp’s history was Cocker rushing the stage during Michael Jackson’s performance of Earth Song at the Brits the following year.

At the time, it didn’t feel as significant a moment as it has become in popular culture, Webber says. “There was disbelief in the moment, that he actually dared to do it. And that it was so easy to do. That’s the thing none of us could really understand, that there was no security or anything stopping anyone getting on the stage that easily.”

The aftermath was more concerning. “Like, ‘is Jarvis going to go to prison?’ Because we were starting a tour the next day.”

Ultimately, says Webber, most awards ceremonies and industry events are “boring – you have to do something to amuse yourself”.

After splitting in 2002, Pulp reunited for the first time in 2011, and then again for shows last year.

The response was “kind of amazing”, Webber says. It’s “quite likely we will play in England before we disappear again”, he hints. “There’s nothing confirmed yet but we expect there’ll be more concerts next year.”

‘I probably should have enjoyed it more’

The book documents Webber’s story. The item he was most happy to rediscover, he says, was the briefcase he used during his time as tour manager, adorned with a vintage ‘I’m With Pulp, Are You?’ sticker, which provided inspiration for the title.

“I knew I had it somewhere, but what I didn’t expect when I opened it up was that it still contained some contracts, to do lists, itineraries, a Bic biro, a packet of Setlers, and the business cards of various guest houses,” he says. “I used to carry this around everywhere, and in the days before we all had mobile phones, it had to contain everything we’d need for a concert or tour.”

After taking the time to look back, is there anything he would change?

“Well, I mean, I probably should have enjoyed it more.” Webber laughs. “I’m always like the slightly glass half-full, grass is always greener type outlook… I did maintain quite a normal life, I didn’t have an address book full of celebrities that I’d go and hang out with – not that that’s something to aspire to, but, you know, maybe I should have been a bit more wild at the time when I had the chance.”

I’m With Pulp, Are You, published by Hat & Beard, is out now, with a launch night at the ICA in London on 27 November

Entertainment

Dermot Murnaghan: Former Sky News presenter diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer

Published

13 hours ago

June 23, 2025

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Dermot Murnaghan: Former Sky News presenter diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer

Former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 67-year-old announced his diagnosis on social media, saying it was one of stage four “advanced” cancer.

He said he was “fortunate to have a simply outstanding medical team” looking after him that was “administering the best possible care with expertise, compassion and sensitivity”.

“I’m responding positively to their excellent treatment, and feeling well,” he added.

“I’m blessed to be fortified by the monumental love and support of my wife, family and close friends.

“Needless to say, my message to all men over 50, in high risk groups, or displaying symptoms, is get yourself tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS.

“Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms.”

Murnaghan said he would be taking part in Sir Chris Hoy’s charity bike ride in Glasgow in September, which aims to “shine a spotlight” on stage four cancer.

Sir Chris was himself diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in September 2023.

Advanced prostate cancer is when the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Murnaghan is a familiar face to Sky News viewers as one of its main presenters from 2007 until 2023.

In September 2022, he announced the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II on the channel.

Before joining Sky, he presented ITV’s News At Ten and the BBC Ten O’Clock News – now known as BBC News At Ten – as well as Channel 4 News.

Murnaghan also presented quiz show Eggheads on BBC Two for 11 years.

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Why are activists protesting against Jeff Bezos’s Venice wedding?

Published

20 hours ago

June 23, 2025

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Why are activists protesting against Jeff Bezos's Venice wedding?

Billionaire Jeff Bezos is marrying Lauren Sanchez, a former TV journalist, in a glitzy multi-day event in Venice.

While city officials haven’t confirmed the wedding details, Italian media have reported it will be a three-day affair between Tuesday and Thursday.

They also say it will take over the whole island of San Giorgio opposite St Mark’s Square – but that the location of the ceremony itself remains private.

Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger and Ivanka Trump are expected to attend, as is pop star Katy Perry, who joined Ms Sanchez in the all-female celebrity crew that travelled to space in April.

They and other celebrity guests – rumoured to include Leonardo Dicaprio and Eva Longoria – are expected to be joining the couple for parties on Amazon owner Bezos’s super yacht, worth about $500m (£371m), which will dock in the port of Venice for the wedding, Sky News Italy reports.

But not everyone in the iconic city is excited.

What protests are planned?

Members of the group No Space for Bezos are planning to disrupt celebrations and have already made clear that, to them, the billionaire is not welcome in the city.

They unfurled a massive banner on 12 June from the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica with Bezos’s name crossed out.

They are planning another demonstration on 28 June where they will block guests from arriving at a party by blocking the canals with boats and their bodies.

They say the protest will be peaceful.

“We want to take back our city that we are seeing constantly being privatised and taken away from us,” Federica Toninelli, an activist associated with No Space for Bezos, told Sky News.

Why are there protests?

Protesters do not have an issue with the marriage itself but with what they say is the “privatisation” and “exploitation” of the city.

“He is basically going to treat the whole city as a private ballroom, as a private event area, as if the citizens are not there,” said Alice Bazzoli, also an activist with No Space for Bezos.

Both told Sky News that the event will close parts of the city and make it difficult for locals to get around, as well as posing environmental concerns with the use of yachts in the canals.

“This is not what Venice needs. This is not what a city that is already suffering from overtourism needs,” said Ms Toninelli.

The city has long struggled with high tourism numbers.

Millions come to see a World Heritage Site famous around the world for its medieval architecture, crammed into a picturesque canal network.

But this pushes up the cost of living for locals and tends to create only low-paid temporary employment.

“It’s going to bring money, yes, but we are not going to see any money,” said Ms Toninelli.

The protests are also linked to wider issues around affordable housing and a dwindling local population in Venice’s historic centre.

“Do we want our city even more invaded by tourists, by oligarchs, and people who buy and privatise the city, or do we want services, jobs, health services, schools, universities? Do we want to live in the city like normal people, or sell it to the best offer?” said Ms Bazzoli.

What has the response been to the protests?

The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, says he is “honoured” that the city is hosting the event.

“Once again Venice proves to be a world stage,” he said.

“Those 20 people who are putting up posters are clearly capitalising on [Jeff Bezos’s] image.”

The city of Venice has previously denied that the event would disrupt locals, saying water taxi services would run normally and that only 200 guests had been invited.

“Venice is used to being the stage for events and shows every week, without significant impacts,” the city said, citing G20 and G7 summits, the Architecture and Cinema Biennales, as well as private events.

They say the city has previous experience of hosting big events successfully.

Is this the first celebrity Venice wedding?

No, George and Amal Clooney famously got married there in 2014.

The actor arrived at his ceremony at the Aman Grande Canal Hotel on a boat, alongside guests including Matt Damon and model Cindy Crawford.

The city also hosted world leaders for the 2021 G20 summit, as well as the annual Venice Film Festival.

Is tourism a problem in Venice?

Venice has been struggling with the impacts of overtourism – when the number of visitors to an area worsens the experience of being there for locals or other tourists.

There were around 50,000 people living in the historic city centre in 2023 when there were around 4.9 million tourist arrivals, according to the data gathering website Statista.

In 2024, it became the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for tourists, with officials carrying out random checks to make sure people beyond entry points have a QR code.

As it stands, those visiting between April and July for a day trip pay a standard fee of €5 – unless they have booked less than four days before their visit, in which case they must pay double.

The city has also put in place a size limit of 25 people for tourist groups to reduce crowds.

Where else have there been tourist protests?

Venice isn’t the only European city where locals are frustrated with tourist numbers.

Protesters in Barcelona sprayed tourists with water guns as part of demonstrations over the number of visitors.

Anti-tourism activists have also staged protests in other popular holiday destinations across Spain, including Palma, Malaga and the Canary Islands, saying visitors drive up housing costs and lead to residents being unable to afford to live in city centres.

Entertainment

Festival season is here, but does politics have a place on the stage?

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2025

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Festival season is here, but does politics have a place on the stage?

Festival season is under way, and leading the charge: the Isle of Wight Festival – dubbed “Europe’s Woodstock” – with headliners including Sting and the Stereophonics.

Former N-Sync star Justin Timberlake – a man who’s crooned about his love of “dance, dance, dance” and has recently become a meme for his mic-centric moves on stage – is a headliner too.

Meanwhile, Glastonbury Festival will see headline acts including Olivia Rodrigo, the 1975, and Charli XCX.

But along with the headline stars and hot weather, politics has also found its way into the spotlight.

Youth culture and political expression have long been part of the festival experience, with Vietnam, nuclear disarmament, Brexit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine all attracting attention over the decades.

This year, with geopolitics seemingly at a boiling point, the Israel-Hamas war has had far-reaching implications. As the Israel-Iran war follows in its wake, the conflict has prompted strong opinions on both sides.

Irish-language rap trio Kneecap‘s upcoming Glastonbury Festival set has become a flashpoint for robust debate, drawing protests from those calling for their set to be cancelled, as well as those championing their right to speak out.

The root of the contention? Kneecap band member Liam O’Hanna, 27, was charged with a terror offence earlier this year, accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.

Hezbollah was proscribed in its entirety in 2019 because the government classed it as a terrorist organisation and said its attacks on Israel were “attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East”.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he did not think Kneecap’s planned Glastonbury Festival performance was “appropriate” and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC “should not be showing” the band’s performance at the festival next weekend.

Although “removed” from playing at Scottish music festival TRNSMT next month due to “safety concerns”, Kneecap have remained on the Glastonbury bill, prompting the question: Is the stage a place for political opinion?

‘If we think we’re separate from world events, we’re kidding ourselves’

Faithless star Sister Bliss, who performed at the first of the re-instated Isle of Wight Festivals and is performing again this year, tells Sky News: “If we think that we’re separate from world events, we’re absolutely kidding ourselves. Our lives are tied intrinsically to everybody else’s on the planet.

“You can have certain people that express that in a way that is perhaps a tad crass, but I love that lyrically – especially on our records, in songs that we’ve made over the last 30 years – I feel that you can combine the personal and political in a way that’s not tub-thumping or simplistic. These issues are very nuanced that are going on in the world right now.”

Speaking to Sky News at the Isle of Wight Festival, Clean Bandit star Grace Chatto says artists are right to use the stage to amplify their voice.

“It is such a great place for political speech, like when Jeremy Corbyn spoke at Glastonbury – it was the most attended thing of the whole event, and it just brought such a feeling of unity and hope in that field on that day”.

The 39-year-old cellist adds: “Then recently, Kneecap and Massive Attack have just been so important, I think, and amazing.”

Earlier this month, Massive Attack, who have previously been critical of Israel, included footage of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and his family as part of a video montage at one of their concerts.

‘I’ve got loads of friends who are absolute idiots politically’

Fresh from the Isle of Wight Main Stage, Mae Muller tells Sky News: “With what’s happening in Gaza, I know that’s been a very prominent theme with people saying, ‘Should we speak out about it or not?’ But that’s not political, it’s a human rights issue.

“It’s important for us to use our voice, because not everybody can. If we feel strongly about something, and we can stand behind it, I think [the stage is] definitely a place to do it.”

Muller, who represented the UK at last year’s Eurovision Song Competition – which became a highly politicised event despite the attempts of the organisers to keep it from the stage – continues: “Art is inherently political, and you can’t really escape it. And we shouldn’t want to escape it. It can be two things at once. [Politics] and fun can coexist.“

Meanwhile, Razorlight front-man Johnny Borrell, ahead of his Main Stage performance, tells Sky News: “Why not say what you believe in? Why does everyone get so precious?

“You can disagree with people. I’ve got loads of friends who are absolute idiots politically – they think the earth is flat. I like them as people, but I completely disagree with them in politics”.

Borrell adds: “We don’t have a problem with disagreeing, but if everyone’s tapping away [mimes typing on a phone] and they’re like, ‘No, I’m really angry, I’m going to tap back,’ that’s a different thing. That’s what’s changed recently.”

A ‘disruptor’ festival, showing the world that anything is possible’

Regardless of the polarised times, Isle of Wight Festival promoter John Giddings, 72, says the Isle of Wight Festival experience should be a break from activism rather than a call to arms.

The 72-year-old, who represents artists ranging from Blondie to Phil Collins, told Sky News: “We’re purely about music and entertainment, and we are to switch off from politics for three or four days. We’re in the business of entertaining people, not preaching to people. And I don’t understand why people attempt to. That’s a different forum.”

Giddings, who relaunched the iconic festival after it was outlawed by authorities in 1970, fearing the crowds and rowdy behaviour could detract from the island, may be keen to avoid political controversy, but he’s keen to break the mould in other areas.

Following a long line of stars before him, including Bob Dylon, Jimi Hendrix and Joni Mitchell, singer Emmanuel Kelly has become the first physically differently-abled artist to perform on the Isle of Wight Festival’s Main Stage.

The 31-year-old former X Factor star, who supported Coldplay on their Music Of The Spheres tour last year, says as far as accessibility is concerned, the Isle of Wight Festival is a trailblazer.

Kelly tells Sky News: “Somebody that’s different is on the stage and is able to show the world that anything’s possible.”

Echoing the festival’s early rebel roots, he credits it with being a “disruptor”, adding, “They make the extra effort to teach the others around the world to make the extra effort as well… It’s important and it’s happening and I’m excited for it.”

In response to Sir Keir’s call for Kneecap to be removed from the line up at Glastonbury next weekend, and whether the performance would be available on any BBC platforms if it goes ahead, a BBC spokesperson said: “As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers.

“Whilst the BBC doesn’t ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines. Decisions about our output will be made in the lead up to the festival.”

The Isle of Wight Festival runs until Sunday 22 June, with the Glastonbury Festival kicking off on 25 June.