Pulp Share New Song Begging For Change From Upcoming War Child Charity Album 'HELP(2)'
Friday, 20 February 2026
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Adama Jalloh
Pulp have released a new song, Begging For Change.
Stripped back and urgent, the catchy track pairs wiry guitars with a driving rhythm and marks the Sheffield Britpop giants' contribution to the star-studded War Child charity album, 'HELP(2)', due out on March 6 via War Child Records.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios and produced and mixed by James Ford and Animesh Raval, the song brings back the same children's' choir featured on Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten and Kae Tempest's recent collaborative contribution Flags. It also includes a second, higher-profile choir featuring Albarn, Chatten, Tempest and The Libertines' Carl Barat. Watch a brief clip of the recording session below.
Pulp's appearance on 'HELP(2)' marks a full circle moment of sorts. Back in 1996, their album 'Different Class' was nominated alongside the original Brian Eno-led 'HELP' for the Mercury Prize. After winning, frontman Jarvis Cocker dedicated the £25,000 prize to War Child. He said:
"Thirty years ago we gave our Mercury Prize (and the prize money) to War Child. This year we have given more. How much more? You’ll have to wait and see..."
Begging For Change follows The Last Dinner Party's contribution Let's Do It Again!, the aforementioned Flags, and Arctic Monkeys' first new song in four years, Opening Night, in previewing 'HELP(2)'. Other acts on the record include Anna Calvi, Beabadoobee, Beck, Bat For Lashes, Graham Coxon, Depeche Mode, Arlo Parks, Foals, Wolf Alice's Ellie Rowsell, Ezra Collective, Olivia Rodrigo, Sampha, Wet Leg, Young Fathers and more.
Pulp will be joined by special guest Self Esteem for a huge show in Manchester in August as part of the Live From Wythenshawe Park series, following their first Australian and New Zealand tour in 15 years beginning this weekend.
They also have dates scheduled in Latin America and mainland Europe for the summer, including festival dates at Mad Cool in Madrid, All Together Now in Ireland and End Of The Road in the UK. Tickets are on sale now.
The band are touring behind their first album in 24 years, 'More', released in June 2025. Later that year, they reissued 'Different Class' to mark the album's 30th anniversary.
They'll compete against The Last Dinner Party, Sleep Token, Wet Leg and Wolf Alice for Best Group at the BRIT Awards later this month, marking their first nomination in the category since 1996.
Pulp Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Sat February 21 2026 - AUCKLAND Spark Arena
Tue February 24 2026 - BRISBANE Riverstage
Fri February 27 2026 - ADELAIDE Elder Park
Tue March 03 2026 - MELBOURNE Sidney Myer Music Bowl - Arts Centre Melbourne
Fri March 06 2026 - SYDNEY Opera House Forecourt
Sat March 07 2026 - SYDNEY Opera House Forecourt
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