A Night of Intimacy and Deep Cuts with Pet Shop Boys
The Pet Shop Boys, a duo celebrated for their iconic hits like West End Girls and It’s A Sin, have long been regarded as pop royalty. Over the past four years, they’ve been on the road, solidifying their status as Britain’s most successful musical act. Their Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live tour has seen them perform 111 gigs so far, with more dates planned across Europe and the UK this summer.
But beyond the chart-topping singles, there’s a deeper side to the Pet Shop Boys that rarely gets the spotlight. Singer Neil Tennant and musician Chris Lowe, who released their first album, Please, 40 years ago, have managed to maintain their relevance not just through big hits but by consistently delivering albums filled with more esoteric and thoughtful tracks. This was the focus of their recent performance at London’s Electric Ballroom, where they offered fans a rare glimpse into their extensive back catalogue.
Tennant, 71, made it clear from the start that this wasn’t going to be a typical concert. “In case anyone has arrived under false pretences, we’re not playing any of the hits,” he told the 1,500 fans gathered in the subterranean venue. “We’ll be doing that again in the summer. Tonight we’re showing the other side of the Pet Shop Boys. It’s B-Sides and album tracks. We’re going deep… and there are quite a lot of ballads.”
Accompanied by Lowe, 66, along with two additional keyboardists and a drummer, Tennant kept his promise. The show, titled Obscure—a nod to the duo’s love for one-word titles—gave them the freedom to explore their lesser-known material, including some songs that had never been performed live before.
Despite a few hiccups, such as when The Theatre from 1993 had to be restarted because Tennant forgot the lyrics, the performance remained engaging. Some of the tracks, like Will-O-The-Wisp from 2020, could easily have been big hits in a different timeline. Others, like Bet She’s Not Your Girlfriend, were clearly better suited as B-sides.
What stood out most was the strong presence of ballads throughout the set. Songs like To Face The Truth, which featured a breezy bossa nova feel, and King Of Rome, a stylish lounge jazz piece, proved that even slower numbers could captivate an audience. Love Is The Law, from the band’s 2024 album Nonetheless, delivered a cinematic grandeur reminiscent of a James Bond theme.
While the summer will bring the return of their biggest hits, this performance was a refreshing and intimate detour that showcased the depth of the Pet Shop Boys’ artistry. For fans looking to experience a different side of the duo, the show was a testament to their enduring creativity and musical range.
Pet Shop Boys will be performing at the Lytham Festival in Lytham St Annes on July 4 (lythamfestival.com).
