He’s 66 today. Happy Birthday, Chris!
Photo: Tate Modern
He’s 66 today. Happy Birthday, Chris!
Photo: Tate Modern
“Musik” by Jonathan Harvey with songs by Pet Shop Boys, starring Frances Barber as Billie Trix and directed by Terry Johnson, is opening soon at Wilton’s Music Hall in London! The first night is on Tuesday, October 14th and it runs until October 25th. Tickets are selling fast — check out the link below.
Neil was recently interviewed for “Music, Money & Mayhem”, a new BBC podcast series that chronicles the collapse of EMI Records and the struggle to save it. The first episode is now available on podcast platforms, with new episodes releasing every Monday.
Composer Sven Helbig (who PSB worked with on “The Most Incredible Thing”, “A Man from the Future” and several other projects) will present the UK premiere of his new “Requiem A” on Saturday, October 4th, in London. Sven will be joined at Westminster Central Hall by famed opera singer René Pape, the London Contemporary Orchestra and no less than four choirs! Full details and ticket information at the link below.
A few weeks ago, during the double PSB-screening event at BFI Southbank, I joined film writer/director Paul Tickell on stage to discuss making “It Couldn’t Happen Here” and writing the score for “Battleship Potemkin”. The conversation and the Q&A that followed it are now available to watch on YouTube at the link below. Neil x
The legendary Russian superstar, Alla Pugacheva, now living in exile, has spoken out against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. If only more prominent Russians showed the same courage! Full details at the Substack link below.
We are delighted to learn that the distinguished theatre director and playwright, Terry Johnson, will be directing the revival of “Musik”, starring Frances Barber, which opens at Wilton’s Music Hall in London on October 14th. More information at the links below.
Photo: The Guardian
Thanks to the BFI for hosting a double-PSB screening of “It Couldn’t Happen Here” and “Battleship Potemkin” yesterday, including a conversation between me and film writer/director Paul Tickell. The restored print of “Battleship Potemkin” is a revelation and it was nice that “It Couldn’t Happen Here” got a much warmer reception than it did from critics on its original release in 1988! BFI blu-rays of both films are available now. Neil x
Photo: JW
A year ago, Pet Shop Boys released a souvenir clip from their intimate show at Funny Girls club in Blackpool, in which the audience provided the vocals for “It’s a sin”. Some fans have made a video adding phone footage to PSB’s video of that performance and it’s now available to watch on YouTube.
Sandringham, Durham and Warwick: a wonderful finish to the festival season! Thanks to all Dreamworld audiences in Europe and the UK for joining us on tour this summer. Pet Shop Boys are continuing their Greatest Hits Tour in Japan in January 2026.
Photo: Adam Kennedy
We had a fantastic show at Warwick Castle last night, the last of the summer tour. We’re so lucky to tour with these wonderful people! And we’ll be getting back together in Japan in January. Thanks to everyone who came to one (or more) of our concerts this year. And of course thanks to our crew. Neil & Chris xx
Photo: Chris Heath
“Battleship Potemkin” with music by Pet Shop Boys opens in selected cinemas in the UK and Ireland for the first time today. To mark its centenary, Sergei Eisenstein’s legendary silent film was restored by Deutsche Kinemathek. A full list of UK cinema dates is available on the BFI website at the link below.
Nice review in The Times newspaper for “Battleship Potemkin” and the PSB score. The film is showing in selected UK cinemas from today.