"It's a sin"
Olly Alexander of Years & Years has recorded a beautiful version of “It’s a sin” to coincide with the new TV drama series of the same name in which he stars and which starts on Channel 4 in the UK tonight. Links below. Neil x
Pointless
PSB questions are answered in this popular British TV show. Link below.
Off West End Awards
Finalists for this year’s Off West End Awards have been announced, ahead of a ceremony in February. Nicknamed The Offies, the awards look to celebrate small-scale theatre productions in London. Congratulations to Frances Barber who has been nominated for Best Lead Performance in “Musik” at the Leicester Square Theatre last year. Full list of nominees below.
Film locations
If you’ve watched the reissue of “It Couldn’t Happen Here”, you might be interested in this short film of the seaside locations then and now. Link below.
Bruce Springsteen
“I love the Pet Shop Boys!” Bruce Springsteen plays two PSB songs on his latest Sirius radio show. Full story at the link below.
Harold Budd
Very sad to read that Harold Budd, one of my favourite musicians and composers, died from the Covid virus ten days ago. He made so much beautiful, atmospheric music, often in collaboration with other artists like Brian Eno and Robin Guthrie. If you’ve never heard his music, give him a listen. Neil x
Barbara Windsor
Rest in peace beautiful Barbara Windsor. We had such fun making our film with you and it was always a joy to see you. When we played the Royal Opera House in 2016, you were dancing in the Royal Box! Love, Neil and Chris
Stereogum
A survey on the music website Stereogum of every number one record in the USA has arrived in 1986 and “West End girls”. Read what they have to say at the link below.
Letters
Work is underway for the 2021 issue of Annually and this year it will include a bumper selection of letters from you. So, if you have a question for Chris and Neil, send it in an email by Monday, December 14th, to info@beckerbrown.com. (Alternatively, you could leave a question on Facebook or Twitter.) Details of how to pre-order your copy of Annually will be on this site early next year.
Atelier E.B.
Nice cap! If you're interested, go to the link to read about the Atelier E.B. art and fashion collaboration which has produced it. (PSB have no involvement with this company.)
London
A double rainbow in London this afternoon! Hope you’re all keeping well. Neil x
Someone’s birthday
Chris Lowe is 61 today apparently. Personally I don’t believe it. Chris xx
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen plays Pet Shop Boys’ version of his song “The last to die” on his radio show, now on BBC Sounds. Link below.
Great Northern Playlist
Tomorrow evening, Sunday August 16th, BBC Radio 2 and ten BBC local radio stations will come together to perform the Great Northern Playlist, songs from the north of England chosen by BBC Radio listeners and “reimagined” by the BBC Philharmonic. “It’s a sin” will be one of the hits included. More details at the links below.
1993
Polaroid from 1993 photo-session with Andy Earl for “I wouldn’t normally…” artwork. Costume by David Fielding. Love that wig! Neil x
Train
First time I’ve been on a train since March! Hope you’re all keeping well. Neil xx
Happy Birthday, Neil
It’s Neil’s birthday this Friday. If you’d like to leave him a birthday message, a fan has kindly set up a guestbook where you can do that. Link below.
Books reviewed
There's a review of "Pet Shop Boys, Literally" and "Pet Shop Boys versus America" in this week's issue of the Times Literary Supplement. Link below.
Hong Kong
Just wanted to say hello to all of our friends in Hong Kong (where we played our first full-length concert in 1989 – pic above). Love, Neil x