Pet Shop Boys have signed a worldwide music publishing deal with BMG Chrysalis UK ahead of the release of their twelfth studio album, Electric, on July 15, 2013.
Alexi Cory-Smith, SVP of BMG Chrysalis UK, said, “Pet Shop Boys are pre-eminent songwriters and we are honored that that they have chosen BMG Chrysalis to represent their music.”
BMG Chrysalis A&R Director Hugo Turquet, who signed them alongside VP of A&R Ben Bodie, said, “It is a very rare band to still be so relevant at this stage in their career. Electric really is a classic Pet Shop Boys dance-floor album.”
Pet Shop Boys manager Angela Becker added: “Choosing BMG was an easy decision. Ben and Hugo’s passion and feel for Pet Shop Boys’ history alongside the company’s clear vision for their future make this an exciting partnership”.
Pet Shop Boys are happy to announce that they will return to Norway this summer for a “Dreamworld” show at Oslo’s Unity Arena on 20th August.
Recent Pet Texts
Stormzy’s 2019 Glastonbury vest is just one item in the excellent new exhibition, “The Music is Black: A British Story”, at the V&A East museum which has just opened in Stratford, London. Definitely worth a visit! More information at the link below. Neil x
50 years ago today, I went with my friend Eric Watson to see a gig by a new rock group called the Sex Pistols at the Nashville pub in West Kensington. The Pistols were impressive — they reminded me a little of The Ramones whose first album I had heard — but then a member of the audience was beaten up by one of the group’s friends in a horrifying incident. Eric and I left the gig stunned and I wrote a letter to the NME about it. To my surprise, the NME printed my letter as a little news piece with a photo by Joe Stevens. Later in 1976, the Pistols achieved notoriety in a controversial TV interview. A series of brilliant and subversive singles and an album followed which resonate to this day. Neil x
Pet Shop Boys Volume has officially entered the Sunday Times bestseller list at number two. Earlier last week, the book went straight to number one in the UK Independent Bookshop Top 20. Thanks to everyone who has bought a copy of “Volume” so far. xx
If you weren’t able to go to any of last week’s five PSB shows in London, or you just want a memento of those special concerts, “Obscure Pet Shop Boys” merchandise, including a sweatshirt and three different T‑shirts, is now available in the official PSB store at the link below.
It has just been reported in “The Bookseller” magazine that “Pet Shop Boys Volume”, has gone straight to number one in the latest Independent Bookshop Top 20 in the UK. The book, written by Chris Heath and Philip Hoare, was published last week by Thames & Hudson.
A huge thank you to Princess Julia for opening the Obscure shows last week (and on her birthday) with her excellent DJ sets, which you can relive at the Spotify playlist link below.
Photo: Eva Pentel
The 2026 issue of Annually is shipping this week to all who have pre-ordered it. It is the tenth issue of the book which every year explores PSB’s recent activities and dives into their history. You can still order a copy from our online store.
What an unforgettable week! We loved each of the five “Obscure” nights at the Electric Ballroom. Thanks to everyone who made it happen, our musicians and musical guests (Sylvia Mason-James, Johnny Marr and Mark Refoy) and all the Petheads who came along.
Friday night’s set list: Positive role model, Will-o-the-wisp, After the event, Two divided by zero, Jack the lad, To face the truth, Hit and miss, Bet she’s not your girlfriend, One in a million/Mr Vain (with Sylvia), Happiness is an option (with Sylvia), Sexy northerner, In his imagination, It couldn’t happen here, Miserablism, King of Rome, Kings Cross, Love is the law, Why don’t we live together?, Requiem in denim and leopardskin, Your funny uncle, The way it used to be, Later tonight, I dream of a better tomorrow.
Photo: Eva Pentel