Pet Shop Boys Deliver Intimate 'Obscure' Performance in London
Celebrated as pop royalty with iconic hits like West End Girls and It's A Sin, the Pet Shop Boys have spent the past four years extensively touring, solidifying their status as Britain's most successful musical duo. Their Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live tour has already encompassed 111 gigs, with further dates scheduled across Europe and the UK this summer. However, this week at Camden's subterranean Electric Ballroom, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe revealed a different facet of their artistry, focusing on deeper, more esoteric material from their extensive catalogue.
A Night of B-Sides and Ballads
Addressing the 1,500 fans packed into the venue, Tennant, 71, humorously cautioned, 'In case anyone has arrived under false pretences, we're not playing any of the hits.' He elaborated, '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.' True to his word, the performance, dubbed Obscure in keeping with the duo's penchant for one-word titles, featured a setlist rich with rarely heard songs, some performed live for the first time.
Accompanied by Lowe, 66, along with two additional keyboardists and a drummer, the duo explored their back catalogue with a focus on slower, more reflective pieces. The night was notably ballad-heavy, with tracks like To Face The Truth offering a breezy bossa nova rhythm and King Of Rome presenting a charming lounge jazz style. From their 2024 album Nonetheless, Love Is The Law captivated the audience with its cinematic grandeur, reminiscent of a James Bond theme.
Highlights and Minor Hiccups
The residency allowed for an adventurous dive into lesser-known works, though not without a few moments of spontaneity. During The Theatre from 1993, Tennant momentarily forgot the lyrics, prompting a restart as he shuffled his lyric sheet—a human touch that added to the intimate atmosphere. The setlist prompted reflections on alternative musical histories, with songs like 2020's Will‐O‐The‐Wisp demonstrating potential hit quality, while others, such as Bet She's Not Your Girlfriend, clearly justified their B-side status.
This performance underscored the Pet Shop Boys' evolution from chart-topping hitmakers to a respected albums act, a journey that began with their debut album Please forty years ago. By prioritizing deeper cuts over commercial singles, they offered fans a unique, enterprising detour from their usual high-energy shows.
Looking Ahead to Summer Tours
While the Obscure residency provided a wonderfully intimate experience, the duo will return to their classic hits for upcoming summer performances, including a show at the Lytham Festival in Lytham St Annes on July 4. This special London engagement not only highlighted their versatility and enduring appeal but also reaffirmed their ability to innovate and connect with audiences through both well-loved anthems and hidden gems.
