On April 22, the Pet Shop Boys musical Closer to Heaven is performed in London for the first time in fourteen years, in a sold-out month-long run at The Union Theatre. (It will return for a further five weeks beginning on October 21.). For this revival, at the Pet Shop Boys’ request, the musical’s original final number, “Positive role model”, is replaced by “Vocal”.
On August 15, the final date of the much-extended Electric tour – which began in March, 2013 – takes place at the Flow Festival in Helsinki. The tour has visited over forty countries.
On December 2, the Pet Shop Boys appear at MAMA – the Mnet Asian Music Awards – in Hong Kong. They are given the Worldwide Inspiration award and play a lengthy live medley, joined for their final two songs, “What have I done to deserve this?” and “Vocal”, by the K‑Pop artist f(x). At the organisers’ request, they wear the Electric tour straw jackets for, possibly, the final time.
The Boys work on two songs: ‘Searching for the Face of Jesus’ and ‘It’s Just My Little Tribute to Caligula, Darling!’ Neil describes it as ‘a day of musical contrasts.’
Their official website announces the pending November 1 release of Ultimate Pet Shop Boys, a single-CD hits collection. Its ‘special edition’ will include a bonus DVD featuring live TV appearances spanning their entire career.
It’s Friday the 13th, but nonetheless it’s a lucky day for PSB fans in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Boys perform their Electric Tour show there this evening.