Auto Festival 2002

In pre-Thatcher Britain, mention Sheffield to anyone and they thought of steel. Nowadays they are more likely to think of Pulp. Tonight auto-festival brought the two together. The Magna Centre began life as a steel works. Pulp bassist Steve Mackey chose this as the venue for his brainchild, the Auto festival. Mackey's idea was to create a different kind of festival, where newer, unsung bands would be showcased.

Entering the centre, it was quite impressive. You stepped straight into auto one to be greeted with the sounds of I Monster. A further walk through dark misty tunnels took you through Auto 2 to the large hall that was Auto 3. This hall, these days, usually plays hosts to Giant Robots. Tonight it played host to a plethora of talent.

So was this a festival or just a huge gig? The festival spirit was much in evidence, not least because of the freezing temperatures. There was a wide range of music on four different stages, and like a festival it gave you chance to experience sounds you may not normally take in. The diversity was there. There was the folkish sound of James Yorkston, eighties memorabilia mixed Erland Yoye style, and the techno-visual art of Lemon Jelly.

Baxter Dury proved to be a chip off the old block. Though the music was slightly different, there were times when the voice and mannerisms could have been Ian. You half expected Billericay Dickie to turn up any minute.

The Bees were the find of the night. It is difficult to label their easy going music but were reminiscent of an early happier Gomez. There is definitely more to be heard of them.

After The Bees departed, it became obvious that despite Mackey's best efforts, the festival just served as a backdrop for the ultimate Pulp gig. Indeed if the rumours were to be believed it could be the ultimate Pulp gig in every sense of the word. The room was filled to capacity, and not a giant robot in sight.

Then the moment arrived. Pulp took the stage to rapturous hometown applause. They opened with the now rare Do You Remember The First Time. It soon became clear that if this was not the end of Pulp, it most certainly the end of an era. They played more rarities, such as Razzamataz and Happy Endings. Jarvis was in fine form with his usual witty anecdotes and sweeties for the crowd. It was always going to finish on Common People. Amidst tears of joy and sadness, Jarvis bade us farewell saying we may meet again. I sincerely hope so.

That was end for many. Those who had come anticipating the end of Pulp disappeared into the night. The rest of us were chilled and thrilled by Royskopp.

The vibe was continuing well into the time I headed towards the motorway with Simian brining their sound system to the occasion.

In conclusion it was an experience that is unlikely to be repeated. Next time I'm at magna I'll look out for the giant robots.

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