PULP
THE WEDDING PRESENT
LEADMILL

"THEY'RE THE Status Quo of Sheffield, mate!" The voice of Radio 1DJ Mark Goodier booms out through a buzzing tannoy, introducing Sheffield's own well-sung heroes - Pulp.

Regardless of their 14-year lifespan and undeniable will to carry on, Pulp have created a (sure miss) pop formula, a kind of individuality through insanity, that actually works. They emulate normality and thrive on its dryness (a case of the John Shuttleworth's), exist on the otherside of The Real World, yet provide an invaluable insight into the reality of everyday existence. A band who bring 'alternative' humour, excitement and ill-fitting garments back to the live stage. A band who make high-flying pop for life's casualties.

Jarvis Cocker, the Prince Regent of Pop, has inadvertently turned his band into the Buzzcocks of our generation, who will eventually monopolise the singles market with their subversive, sexually misguided undertones and seedy elements of surprise. Tonight they bounce through should-be hit after hit, from current single 'Razzmatazz', through the gloriously jaunty 'Babies', climaxing with 'OU' and Jarvis hoisting himself on to the rafters to dangle neck down—swaying like a newly hung victim.

But whilst Pulp reek of abnormality, The Wedding Present offer a slice of ordinary life, albeit fused with seething passion. The Weddoes are living proof that you can combine football, girlfriends and work without compromise (no mean feat). Tonight the Weddoes tear the place apart during 40 minutes of sincerely heartfelt, unadulterated fury.

David Gedge, all seething, unsophisticated charm and flapping arms (who said Joe Cocker?) with every wrenching high note, pauses, mutters a few dedications through Radio 1's airways before tripping into 'Silver Shorts'.

Apart from 'Brassneck', they unashamedly play nothing pre-'Seamonster' (despite obligatory requests for 'Kennedy'), though when you've written as many wonderful songs as they have in one year there seems little point to wallow in past glories. There's the secretly blissful 'Out Of Space' (the best of the 12 singles), 'Flying Saucer' and the glorious 'Loveriest', which begins as a whale noise and ends in a punk rock guitar riot.

Gina Morris