Brandon Flowers has just announced details of his new solo album, “The Desired Effect”, including a brief guest appearance by me: I speak one line (recorded on my iPhone) on the song “I can change” which samples Bronski Beat’s classic “Smalltown Boy”. It’s a fantastic track though which I’m delighted to be on and if the rest of the album is as good it’ll be brilliant. The album is released in May. Neil x
Pet Shop Boys are pleased to announce a series of Dreamworld shows across Europe this summer.
Recent Pet Texts
A brand new “West End girls” T‑shirt designed by Farrow is now shipping as part of Pet Shop Boys’ “Since 1984” range. Available to order exclusively through the official PSB store.
David Bowie died ten years ago today. In a special BBC 6 Music programme, Neil discusses Bowie including PSB’s collaboration with him on “Hallo Spaceboy”. The show is part of a series called “Bowie Forever”. Listen to it now on BBC Sounds.
Day off in Osaka before tomorrow’s show at the World Theatre in Kobe.
40 years ago, on Tuesday, January 7, 1986, “West End girls” hit number one in the UK singles chart and stayed there for two weeks. Neil and Chris performed the song in the number one slot on “Top of the Pops” two days later. It went on to hit the top spot in Canada, the USA, Finland, Norway and New Zealand and was the first of four PSB UK number one singles. In 2020 The Guardian newspaper elected it the greatest UK Number One single of all time.
Two new exclusive PSB “Dreamworld” Japan T‑shirts are now available online and in-store through Dover Street Market Ginza in Tokyo. All details at the link below. Pet Shop Boys perform in Tokyo tonight and in Kobe on Friday.
Neil is recovering well from the virus that led to PSB cancelling their festival show in Tokyo on Sunday. He and Chris are looking forward to tonight’s Dreamworld concert at the Tokyo Garden Theatre and to their show on Friday in Kobe.