Pet Shop Boys, London
- Posted on May 30, 2007 12:34 PM
- 1 comment
The Pet Shop Boys
Hammersmith Apollo, 27th May 2007
Review by Katie Spain
Sunday night was the type of night you just want to curl up under a duvet and vegetate. The wind and rain battered the stuffing out of London all day long and the outside world was a place for the brave (and the downright stupid).
I’d spent the day at Gilgamesh in Camden – and after rolling home full of Asian delicacies and market buys, the last thing I wanted to do was drag my sodden rear end to a concert. Luckily, I had an eager companion by my side (you know the type of positive sod that drags you to the gym in the middle of a hangover because “It’s the best cure ever”)...
Despite the grey weather (and equally grey mood) we found ourselves in Hammersmith, sucking on hot coffee and carrot sticks (did you know MacDonald’s does rabbit food now?). Very Rock’n’Roll; especially for a bank holiday weekend.
Any signs of feigned grumpiness disappeared as soon as we entered the Hammersmith Apollo. You can’t be a nasty cow when you’re surrounded by glow stick wielding Pet Shop Boys fans. The vibe in the building was nothing short of bubbly. Neon lights adorned the stage and bounced light off the upturned looks of adoration.
We arrived late, but the Hammersmith Apollo has a sloped ground floor – perfect for the vertically challenged like me. I positioned myself next to a group of dancing gays… guaranteed entertainment all night long. It felt like I was dancing my way through a forest of perfectly toned testosterone-packed torsos – the perfect setting for a Pet Shop Boys extravaganza.
In their British tour in five years, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe performed without skipping a beat. I’m not a massive fan; okay, I know their hits and I instantly recognise Tennant’s unique voice but I never expected to have as much fun as I did. It was an audio and visual feast – complete with brightly lit footage, dancers and costume changes. It was ‘naff’, it was corny and the crowd loved it. I felt like I was caught between a night at Blue Man Group and a Gilbert and Gorge exhibition. There are certainly worse places to be.
For most women, it’s not a night out without the annoyingly regular loo breaks… I’m told the guy’s toilets were awful and the girl’s weren’t much better but that didn’t stop the ladies dancing as they waited. “S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G”… there wasn’t a stationary bum in the WCs.
The dancers deserve a mention; the two men with the moves impressed with slick 80s inspired shapes and a rippling muscles. The accompanying female singer soared with soul at times and verged on screeching at others. The crowd however, seemed too busy waving their arms and avoiding a carpet of empty water bottles to take much notice. Sometimes the best presents come in brightly lit packages… it’s not the gift inside nor what’s written on the card that matters; just the joy and anticipation when opening it.
We missed ‘I’m With Stupid’ but the following set bopped along with enough classics to please die hard fans and novices like me. “Opportunities” (Let’s Make Some Money”), “Where The Streets Have No Name/Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”, “West End Girls”, “It’s A Sin” and “Go West” just a few treats of the night. A medley in the finale reminded punters of a classic night’s entertainment (judging by the glazed eyes, a few needed the memory jolt).
A great night out courtesy of two colourful music legends. As Tennant thanked the crowd, stating “We’re STILL the Pet Shop Boys” the fans let out a collective sigh of relief… let’s hope it lasts a lifetime.
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Comments (1)
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i was there on Sunday and it was a rocking good night.
having never seen the PSB before, i was unsure what to expect. glowsticks weren't out of fashion at the apollo. set design was just right - not too ostentatious nor too tacky, but it was hearing the hits that mattered. and they played them all. highlights for me: Always on your mind and It's a sin. sung just like the records, and there's not many artists who can achieve that!
Posted on May 30, 2007 4:46 PM
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