Following weeks of speculation of who ‘Patchwork’ were, Pulp shocked almost nobody as they appeared on the Pyramid Stage to perform one of Glastonbury’s famed secret sets.

Jarvis Cocker & co were the heavy bookies’ favourites to play a secret set at this year’s festival, even after the band’s keyboard player, Candida Doyle, claimed that Glastonbury “weren’t interested” in hosting the Britpop icons this year.

@martyfors This is going to be amazing. Pulp returning to Glasto this year. #pulp #glastonbury #glasto #glastonburyfestival ♬ original sound – martyfors

Despite that, the Pyramid Stage was packed with both people and anticipation as the clock ticked towards 6:15 pm on Saturday (June 28).

As the ‘Patchwork’ set was due to kick off, a message flashed on the screen: “Are you ready for… Pulp summer”. The Sheffield band then took the stage and launched straight into ‘Sorted for E’s & Wizz’ and ‘Disco 2000’ before Cocker greeted those in attendance.

Cheekily opening up with “Did you know we were gonna play? How?” Cocker then went on to reminisce about the band’s first time headlining the Pyramid Stage in 1995, saying: “Those songs were played here 30 years and four days ago, they were played for the first time. You could say they were born at Glastonbury.

“We played here with 10 days notice after John Squire broke his collarbone. We were so nervous, but today feels very different – I feel relaxed.”

Pulp then broke into ‘Spike Island’ – the first single off their new chart-topping album ‘More’. Their first album in 24 years received rave reviews, including four-stars from NME,  as it earned Pulp their first Number One album in 27 years.

@bbc6music Pulp bringing the ENERGY Listen on @bbcsounds #glastonbury #BBCGlasto #Pulp ♬ original sound – BBC Radio 6 Music

The rest of the set contained a perfect combination of both new gems and old classics, before giving the crowd a powerful rendition of ‘Common People’ to close the show. Check out the full setlist below.

‘Sorted for E’s and Wizz’

‘Disco 2000’

‘Spike Island’

‘O.U. (Gone, Gone)’

‘Acrylic Afternoons’

‘Something Changed’

‘Do You Remember The First Time’

‘Mis-Shapes’

‘Got To Have Love’

‘Babies’

‘Common People’

Pulp was far from the only big name to perform a secret set at this years festival. Kiwi pop sensation Lorde opened up the Woodsies tent, and Lewis Capaldi made an emotional return to the Pyramid Stage.

However, the biggest surprise came after alt-metal icons Deftones dropped out just hours before their appearance on the Other Stage. Stepping in to fill those big boots, Skepta rocked the stage with a ferocious 30-minute set.

@.dailyconcerts NAH THATS NOT ME #skepta #glastonbury #glastonburyfestival #boybetterknow ♬ original sound – dailyconcerts

Despite all the legendary performances at this years Glasto’ – including The Maccabees, Olivia Rodrigo and Supergrass – most of the attention has been focused on punk band Bob Vylan and Irish rap trio Kneecap.

A police investigation has been launched into Bob Vylan’s set after frontman, Bobby Vylan, led the crowd into chants of “free, free Palestine” and the perhaps more problematic “death, death to the IDF”. Check out the coverage of the controversy here at mxdwn.co.uk