More on: Pet Shop Boys

Date: 06/06/07
Rating:

Tonight at a sold-out Hammersmith Apollo, the oh-so-slightly mature crowd are awaiting the second of pop legends Pet Shop Boys' dates at the London venue. No support act tonight, which is quite a blessing as all focus can be pointed towards the impending fun.

The crowd is treated to some low-key music while they take their seats, which in the old-fashioned venue, feels a bit like the latest blockbuster movie is going to appear on the backdrop. Those kind of thoughts fly straight out the window when the lights go down, and the fluorescent tube-lit stage lights up. Three pairs of Neil Tennants and Chris Lowes walk on stage - each wearing Neil's smart suit and Chris' canary yellow hoodie. The real Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe assume their positions, and kick off with 'We're The Pet Shop Boys', and what follows is two hours of some of the finest pop music ever committed to record.

It is no secret that Pet Shop Boys did not play live for the first few years of their two decade career, due to Tennant's refreshing admission that he did not think he could cut it live. The fabulous songwriting duo had originally intended for a female vocalist to sing their songs at the beginning - a move they thankfully never got round to. It is hard to imagine their tunes without Tennant's affective and tender vocals. His fears are unfounded, as, although there is some technical trickery apparent - he sounds just as good live. However, perhaps a security blanket, to give more oomph, or more likely just inject some glamour to the endearingly dour-looking pair, backing singer Sylvia Mason James takes to the stage to rapturous applause for 'Left To My Own Devices'.

The minimalist stage set-up consists of two pairs of dancers, backing singers, Lowe on stage right with his synth, and a backdrop of moving images framed by the aforementioned fluorescent tubes. It works fantastically - the ostentation that they could've had would be distracting, and it gives the night a much cosier, club-like feel. Which brings me to the only criticism of the night, and it's not about Pet Shop Boys. Look, I appreciate the fanbase may be as long in the tooth as the Boys are, but tracks like 'West End Girls' and 'Heart' are not for nodding to. The standing crowd downstairs remain relatively still, with only a hardcore few dancing upstairs.

The achingly beautiful 'Rent' sees Tennant seated, facing sideways - which is frustrating. Quite possibly one of their greatest tracks, and it would've been nice to see Tennant emoting to the crowd. An opportunity wasted. Talking of which, 'Opportunities' is corking, and leads onto Chris Lowe's showpiece of 'Paninaro'. Well, showpiece may be stretching it, as Lowe is as sweetly shy as ever.

The disco doesn't end, and we are treated to a medley of the blissfully summery 'Se A Vida É' and latin-tinged 'Domino Dancing'. Time for a breather, and possibly a loo break, with recent tracks 'Numb' and 'Dreaming Of The Queen', just to remind us that Pet Shop Boys aren't a non-stop party machine. The energy is ramped up with 'Always On My Mind' and then the genius that is making miserable U2 fans seethe with rage with the mash-up 'Where The Streets Have No Name (Can't Take My Eyes Off You)'. By this point joints are easing, and the party-people have crawled out of the woodwork. Suddenly, the audience twigs that tonight is about having fun and looking a bit foolish. Hell, if Neil Tennant can break a few moves in his suit, you can too! 'Go West' turns the Apollo into a sweaty, camp, disco. People are hugging, arms are linked, friends are made.

An encore of a remixed 'So Hard' and 'It's A Sin' leave every single person on their feet, whooping with joy, and probably wondering why they didn't do it earlier. Remember folks, live Pet Shop Boys is a rare and beautiful thing - make the most of it.

Becky Reed

Pet Shop Boys Official Site