On May 2 the Pet Shop Boys appear at Heaven nightclub in London, playing a four song set as part of Can You Bear It?, a benefit for Dainton Connell’s family. For the final song they are joined by Suggs and Carl from Madness, in rambunctious high spirits, to perform a dance version of Madness’s “My Girl”: “It was a very emotional night”.
On October 27 a Pet Shop Boys-produced single by the British artist Sam Taylor-Wood, “I’m in love with a German film star”, is released on the cult German dance label Kompakt. It is the Pet Shop Boys’ third collaboration with Sam Taylor-Wood though the previous one was released under the pseudonym Kiki Kokova. The song is an electronic reinterpretation of the 1981 single by the Passions, a suggestion of Neil’s.
This year’s annual Christmas single from the Killers — “Joseph (Better You Than Me)” — is originally planned as a collaboration between The Killers and Elton John. Neil gets involved after Brandon Flowers asks for help with the lyric; in the end Neil’s short section of guide vocal for the lyric he contributes will remain in the final song when it is made available for download.
Christopher Sean Lowe is born in Blackpool, Lancashire, U.K.
The Boys perform ‘So Hard’ on Top of the Pops.
It’s the second day of rehearsals for their upcoming DiscoVery Tour. After an interview with journalist Chris Heath for the tour program, Neil and Chris head off to celebrate the latter’s birthday with an evening performance by Shirley Bassey.
They finish their recording work on their next album, Release.
The Pet Shop Boys receive Q Magazine’s annual Inspiration Award, given to ‘acts that have inspired new generations of musicians, songs, and music lovers in general.’
Chris, in Moscow for a DJ’ing gig at a club opening, celebrates his birthday with a dinner at a restaurant with several friends and acquaintances, including Dainton Connell. It will be the last time Chris sees him before the automobile accident several hours later that claims Dainton’s life.
The Boys are in Santiago, Chile, having arrived a day or two beforehand so that they can enjoy several days off before their concert there on the 7th. Neil notes on their official website that this afternoon he is ‘recovering from Chris’s birthday party.’
Chris spends his birthday working with Neil on their upcoming musical tribute to Alan Turing, after which he enjoys dinner with friends. On the Boys’ official website he describes it as ‘a wonderful day.’
The Pet Shop Boys perform in Portland, Oregon.