We are very sad to hear that the legendary Frankie Knuckles has died. The word “legendary” is rather overused these days, but Frankie Knuckles was a true dance legend and a pioneer of house music. We were honoured to work with him in 1988 when he did his brilliant dark mix of “I want a dog”. It was so exciting to drive out to Jersey City to hear this mix for the first time in his studio and then drive back to New York with the mix on repeat. We were thrilled with it and included it on our album, Introspective. In 1990 Frankie came over to London to play at Chris’s birthday party at Brixton Academy and enthralled the crowd with his brilliant set. In the early days, House music was referred to as “Chicago House” after the city where it was invented — it was great to visit the city last year and see that a street had been named after the music’s inventor: Frankie Knuckles Way. Love and respect forever. xx
Recent Pet Texts
Pet Shop Boys enjoyed a hot and sunny start to their “Dreamworld” summer tour over the past week. Thanks to all who danced through the heatwave with us in Taranto, Istanbul and Athens. Next up is Paris on Wednesday, before Chris’s homecoming at Lytham Festival this Saturday. See you there!
Photo by: Release Athens Festival
Wednesday’s concert at Blind Fest in Istanbul was such fun thanks to the fabulous audience.
“Pet Shop Boys projected Pride images onto giant screens, sending a well-deserved salute from the stage to our streets where Pride is banned…. The concert, which began emotionally and romantically, suddenly transformed into the warm, party atmosphere of Ibiza towards the end with the weight of the bass and the magnificence of the lights. The stage was fantastic. Right in the middle of the past and the future, of sadness and resistance; we both danced and felt the power of love and music side by side.” (Review from Radio Cazkolik.)
Now we’re in Athens for our Release Festival performance tomorrow evening.
Photo: Blind Fest
10 years ago today, Pet Shop Boys released “Twenty-something”, the second single from their album “Super”. The video was directed by Gavin Filipiak, who had directed the video of a cover version of “West End girls” by the cholo goth group Prayers. It won the San Diego Film Award for Best Music Video. Link below.
Taranto, Italy, last night. Our first show of the summer and our first visit to beautiful Apulia. Grazie!
Photo: Medimex Music
Pet Shop Boys are looking forward to their Dreamworld summer tour, which begins this Saturday at Medimex Festival in Taranto, Italy. See you there!
Starting today, the newly restored centenary edition of Sergei Eisenstein’s masterpiece “Battleship Potemkin” with music by PSB can be seen in French cinemas for the first time. All details at the link below.
Production rehearsals today for “Dreamworld”. See you soon in Italy, Türkiye, Greece, France, the UK, Germany, Spain, Norway and Denmark. Neil and Chris xx