Last night’s concert with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra was a wonderful experience for us. The orchestra played with such luxurious power and conviction, conducted by Dominic Wheeler, and the Manchester Chamber Choir brought ethereal beauty to, for instance, “Miracles” and “He dreamed of machines” (from our new piece about Alan Turing). To hear Johnny Marr playing the guitar riff from “This must be the place I waited years to leave” was a real thrill so many years after he played on the original record; his acoustic guitar playing on “Breathing space” was gorgeous. Other highlights for me were performing live for the first time “It couldn’t happen here”, “The survivors” and “For all of us”. Sven Helbig’s orchestral arrangements were both magnificent and subtle: “New York City boy” was returned to Broadway; “He dreamed of machines” had a pale beauty. Many thanks to everyone at the BBC, Parlophone and our management and tour personnel for making it happen, to Pete Gleadall for programming and to Jo Whiley for introducing it. The concert can be heard on BBC Radio 2 tonight at 8 pm. I hope you enjoy it. Neil x (Photograph by Kate Southall/BBC.)
Recent Pet Texts
This Saturday 2 August, the independent cinema The Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford will be screening two Jack Bond films, “It Couldn’t Happen Here” featuring Pet Shop Boys and “Separation”. All details on the double feature at the link below.
Last week, the Durham Miners Brass band and fellow street bands delivered two excellent performances of the PSB songs “Suburbia” and “It’s a sin” at the Durham Brass Festival. 🏳️🌈 Pride joined the Durham Miner’s Gala for the very first time this year, alongside Lesbians and Gays Support The Miners (LGSM) and the DMA brass band. Both performances are now available to watch on YouTube at the links below.
Later tonight… Our fourth show this summer in Spain! Back in the UK next week.
Earlier this year, I joined Johnny Marr and his wonderful band on stage at the Hammersmith Apollo to sing “Rebel Rebel” and “Getting away with it”. Both songs are available to stream now and will also feature on Johnny Marr’s new live album, “Look Out Live!”, which is out on 19th September. Neil x
“Self Titled”, the acclaimed new album by poet/rapper/novelist/playwright Kae Tempest, features a collaboration with Neil Tennant. His vocals can be heard on the track “Sunshine on Catford”. Listen now at the YouTube link below.
Last night in Viareggio.
Nice to be back in Italy! Concert in lovely Lucca tomorrow. Neil x
