On April 22, the Pet Shop Boys musical Closer to Heaven is performed in London for the first time in fourteen years, in a sold-out month-long run at The Union Theatre. (It will return for a further five weeks beginning on October 21.). For this revival, at the Pet Shop Boys’ request, the musical’s original final number, “Positive role model”, is replaced by “Vocal”.
On August 15, the final date of the much-extended Electric tour – which began in March, 2013 – takes place at the Flow Festival in Helsinki. The tour has visited over forty countries.
On December 2, the Pet Shop Boys appear at MAMA – the Mnet Asian Music Awards – in Hong Kong. They are given the Worldwide Inspiration award and play a lengthy live medley, joined for their final two songs, “What have I done to deserve this?” and “Vocal”, by the K‑Pop artist f(x). At the organisers’ request, they wear the Electric tour straw jackets for, possibly, the final time.
While staying at the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles, Neil happens upon Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan having lunch. They chat briefly. That same evening the Boys perform the second of two consecutive nights’ shows at L.A.‘s Universal Amphitheater.
Chris and Neil begin work on a track called ‘Diddly Squat,’ which later becomes ‘All or Nothing.’
They start working on a remix of the Hidden Cameras track ‘Colour of a Man.’
They note on their website that today they spoke with their manager, Angela Becker, ‘via computer’ about ‘reissues, the new album, etc.’
Pre-recorded segments featuring Neil and Chris have been airing every weekday afternoon this week on the ‘This Is the Day’ segment of Richard Blade’s SiriusXM 1st Wave satellite radio show.
Chris attends this evening’s performance by The Who at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where the Pet Shop Boys are scheduled to perform three nights later. (Both shows are to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust.)
Their official website announces the pending June release of Smash, the Pet Shop Boys’ fourth hits collection, which will be available in several formats, including a three-CD/two-Blu-ray set.