Neil plays in a group in Newcastle called Dust: Their most popular song is a preposterous affair he has written called “Can you hear the dawn break?”. They are heavily influenced by The Incredible String Band. “We were convinced we would become terribly famous. It was a very kind of stoned seventies but we used to think it was absolutely brilliant at the time”.
Derek Jarman records in his journal the strongly negative reaction he receives in response to the footage filmed from the Pet Shop Boys’ recent Wembley Arena concert. He’s especially upset about Chris’s reaction, which he describes as ‘full of serious anguish.’
The Boys work on the tracks ‘E‑mail’ and ‘Time on My Hands.’
Chris and Neil decide to shorten ‘The Samurai in Autumn’: ‘We edited it right down.’
They perform at the SWR 3 New Pop Festival in Rastatt, Germany. Their set includes the world premiere of ‘Miracles.’ On the same day, a large panoramic portrait of celebrity regulars at London’s fashionable restaurant The Ivy, painted by Rolling Stones guitarist (and accomplished portraitist) Ronnie Wood, goes on display at the Royal Academy of Art. Among the many celebrities depicted in the painting are Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Elton John, and Neil Tennant.
The Pandemonium Tour comes to Seattle.
They work on ‘The Way Through the Woods’ and ‘Thick as Thieves.’
Kicking off the final leg of their lengthy Electric Tour, the Pet Shop Boys appear in concert at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Continuing work on ‘Give Stupidity a Chance,’ they decide to change its arrangement, abandoning its original ‘slightly folky’ sound.
Early this morning, Chris and Neil visit the Joe Orton Archive at the University of Leicester. In the evening they attend the first preview performance of My Beautiful Laundrette at Leicester’s Curve Theatre.