Pulp at Thekla

Pulp at Thekla, Bristol, 24th September, 1985

Before the arena tours and Glastonbury headline slots, photographer Andy ‘Beezer’ Beese captured Pulp onstage at Bristol’s Thekla — a former ship turned floating arts venue & nightclub moored on the city’s harbour. Beezer documented the band during their 1985 Outrage tour, capturing a rare glimpse of their formative years.

Thekla, the venue, is itself a remarkable cultural space: a converted cargo ship that has been permanently moored in Bristol’s harbour since the early 1980s. Founded as an arts centre and live music venue by Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band vocalist Vivian Stanshall and his wife, Ki Longfellow-Stanshall, Thekla quickly became known for its distinctive atmosphere and support of experimental and alternative acts. The ship’s steel interior, intimate scale, and unique setting made it a memorable site for artists and audiences alike, and it remains an important independent fixture in Bristol’s cultural landscape.