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.
Neil leaves his job at Smash Hits to devote himself full-time to the Pet Shop Boys.
The Pet Shop Boys bring their Performance tour show to Detroit’s Clubland auditorium.
Chris and Neil work some more on ‘Minimal,’ adding lyrics and recording vocals.
Accompanied by Pete Gleadall, they go to a concert in Berlin by English singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf.
The Boys attend another performance of their ballet The Most Incredible Thing at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, this time accompanied by their friend, comedian Matt Lucas.
The Pet Shop Boys and their classic ‘West End Girls’ feature in a new ad campaign unveiled today by the sportswear and fragrance brand CK1 Palace.