Pulp Unveils Garth Jennings-Directed Film ‘What Do You Do For An Encore?’ via MUBI

An intimate journey through Pulp's legacy, narrated by Jarvis Cocker, coming soon on MUBI’s streaming platform.

Reliving the Magic: Pulp’s New Film Announcement

If you’ve ever been captivated by Pulp’s unique mix of sharp wit, social commentary, and unforgettable Britpop anthems, get ready for a cinematic treat. The Sheffield legends have announced a new film and live album titled What Do You Do For An Encore?, directed by the multifaceted Garth Jennings. This 90-minute kinetic film traces the band’s captivating evolution from underground obscurity to becoming a staple of British cultural identity, with the ever-charismatic frontman Jarvis Cocker lending his voice as the narrator.

It’s set to hit MUBI’s global streaming platform this autumn, promising fans an immersive experience that combines live performance energy with decades of archival treasure troves.

A Cinematic Homage to Concert Classics

If you’re a fan of iconic concert films, you’ll find What Do You Do For An Encore? paying tribute to the spirit of classics like Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense (1984) and The Band’s Martin Scorsese-directed The Last Waltz (1978). The film promises a spectacular blend of Pulp’s biggest arena show choreography—drawn from their global tour promoting More, their first album in 24 years—and rare, never-before-seen archival footage spanning four decades.

This union of stagecraft and history delivers a vivid portrait of a band that defied conventions and captured the imagination of multiple generations.

A Musical Journey with 20 Songs

What makes this film extra special is its rich musical tapestry. Featuring 20 songs—mixing anthems and deep cuts alike—it’s Pulp and Jennings’ dazzling answer to the age-old question: “What do you do for an encore?” The film celebrates Pulp as a band of brilliant misfits, whose blend of irony, rebellion, and incisive social commentary helped shape a defining era of British culture.

Garth Jennings: The Vision Behind the Lens

Director Garth Jennings is no stranger to Pulp’s world. He previously directed their 1997 video ‘Help The Aged’ and 1988’s ‘A Little Soul’ through his co-owned company Hammer & Tongs. Beyond Pulp, Jennings’ videography spans giants like Blur, Radiohead, Beck, R.E.M., Fatboy Slim, and Vampire Weekend. His feature film credits include the sci-fi comedy The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (2005), the heartfelt Son Of Rambow (2007), and the animated hits Sing and Sing 2.

This rich creative background promises a film that’s not only a concert recording but an artful visual journey.

Live! Album Capturing The O2 Magic

Alongside the film, Pulp announced the Live! album, a sonic snapshot of their two sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena in June 2025. Jarvis Cocker perfectly encapsulated the album’s spirit, saying, “A concert is an event where songs come back to life. That’s why this album is called ‘Live!’ It’s both a statement of fact (it’s a recording of a live band) and a challenge (come on! Everyone come alive!).”

This album promises to bring the raw energy and intimate moments from their arena performances straight to your speakers.

Behind the Scenes: Production and Release

The film What Do You Do For An Encore? is a MUBI production, edited by Barney Pilling, known for his work on The Grand Budapest Hotel and Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris. The production team includes Octavia Peissel (noted for Asteroid City), Danny Gabai, Amy Rattray, and Paul Dugdale, with executive producers spanning VICE Studios and the band themselves.

While an exact release date remains under wraps, Live! is set to drop via Rough Trade on August 28.

Upcoming Gigs and Festival Highlights

The excitement doesn’t stop at film and album. Pulp will play their album More in full at London’s Royal Festival Hall next month, celebrating 50 years of Rough Trade. Alongside that, they’ll perform fan favorites from their extensive catalog.

Following that, the band’s “only major UK headline concert” is slated for August 28 at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park, a date to circle on every fan’s calendar. They’ll also headline End Of The Road 2026 and the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid. Tickets for Manchester are still up for grabs — a rare chance to see Pulp’s enduring stage charisma live.

Recent Musical Offerings and Future Hints

Pulp has been busy recently, contributing the track ‘Begging For Change’ to the star-studded Help(2) charity album for War Child. They also digitally released an EP featuring two new songs, ‘Marrying For Love’ and ‘Cold Call On The Hotline’, adding fresh layers to their sound.

Jarvis Cocker teased the possibility of more new material last November, keeping the door open despite some bandmates feeling less urgency for a full album. Candida Doyle even mentioned an EP or single as more likely than a full-length record, keeping fans on their toes.

Reflecting on More and Pulp’s Legacy

When asked about a follow-up to More, Cocker reflected on the album’s significance, saying, “Maybe. We tried not to have a concept for this record or think, ‘This is it, this is our last gas’. I used to think that a lot.”

He revealed a poignant thought process behind his music career, admitting, “I had this weird thing that when an album was mixed and finished I’d think, ‘Oh, I can die now and it would be OK’. That’s a terrible way to think about your life, really. I didn’t feel that with this record.”

Pulp’s Secret Set at Glastonbury and Lasting Impact

Last summer, Pulp surprised fans with a secret set at Glastonbury under the name ‘Patchwork’, delivering a magical performance full of crowd-pleasers and special moments like the Red Arrows fly-past during ‘Common People’. The show was an emblem of joyous wonky-pop hedonism, capturing the spirit of the festival and the band’s enduring connection to their audience.

“History and stuff like that doesn’t matter because it’s all about now and what we can do right now.” – Jarvis Cocker

Beyond Music: Jarvis Cocker’s Artistic Ventures

In other news, Jarvis Cocker is extending his creative reach beyond music. He is set to curate a new art exhibition at Hepworth Wakefield alongside his wife Kim Sion, showcasing his passion for the visual arts and community engagement.

FAQ

• How long is the film What Do You Do For An Encore?? The film runs approximately 90 minutes, blending concert footage with archival material.
• Who narrates the film? Jarvis Cocker, Pulp’s iconic frontman, provides the narration.
• When and where will the film be available? It is scheduled for release this autumn on MUBI’s global streaming platform.
• What does the Live! album feature? The Live! album captures Pulp’s two sold-out shows at The O2 in London recorded in June 2025.
• Are there any upcoming live performances by Pulp? Yes, including a full-album performance of More at London’s Royal Festival Hall, a headline show in Manchester, and appearances at End Of The Road and Mad Cool festivals.

Love Pulp’s iconic aesthetic? Bring the energy home by shopping your favorite album cover poster at our store. It’s a perfect way to celebrate their legacy and keep the music alive on your walls: Architeg Prints.