A Rare Collaboration at the Electric Ballroom
Pet Shop Boys brought out legendary guitarist Johnny Marr to perform a selection of rarities and deep cuts during their recent residency at London’s Electric Ballroom. The performance, which took place on Wednesday, March 8, served as a highlight of the duo's ongoing 'Obscure' live series—a five-night residency dedicated exclusively to rarities and tracks rarely heard in a live setting.
The collaboration saw the trio deliver the first-ever live performances of 'Up Against It' and 'I Didn’t Get Where I Am Today'. Additionally, they performed 'The Truck Driver and His Mate' for the first time since 2002, marking a significant moment for long-time followers of both acts.
The 'Obscure' Residency
The 'Obscure' shows have been a masterclass in deep-cut curation. Throughout the residency, Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant have unearthed tracks that have been absent from their setlists for decades. Previous highlights included the first live renditions of 'Jack The Lad' (1986), 'After The Event' (2012), and 'Hit And Miss' (1996), alongside rare airings of 'Your Funny Uncle' and 'The Theatre'.
Following the show, Marr expressed his gratitude on social media, sharing photos of the performance and confirming his excitement to join the electronic icons on stage.
A Long-Standing Musical Partnership
The connection between Johnny Marr and Pet Shop Boys is deep-rooted. In the late 1980s, the three musicians formed the new wave supergroup Electronic, releasing their debut single 'Getting Away With It' in 1989. Marr has since contributed to numerous Pet Shop Boys records, including 1990's Behaviour, 2002's Release, and 2009's Yes.
Their collaborative history extends to the stage as well, with Marr joining the band at the Royal Albert Hall in 2017 and presenting them with the Godlike Genius Award at the NME Awards that same year. During his speech, Marr lauded the duo for "bringing romance, glamour, style, high art to the wonderful thing that is pop music."
Pet Shop Boys’ Setlist: Electric Ballroom
'Through You'
'Will‐o‐the‐wisp'
'Two Divided by Zero'
'Jack the Lad'
'The Truck Driver and His Mate' (with Johnny Marr)
'I Didn’t Get Where I Am Today' (with Johnny Marr)
'Up Against It' (with Johnny Marr)
'Hit and Miss'
'Always'
'One in a Million / Mr. Vain'
'Sexy Northerner'
'Young Offender'
'It Couldn't Happen Here'
'New Boy'
'King of Rome'
'King's Cross'
'Love Is the Law'
'Why Don't We Live Together?'
'The Performance of My Life'
Encore:
'Your Funny Uncle'
'The Way It Used to Be'
'Later Tonight'
'I Dream of a Better Tomorrow'