Pet Shop Boys Live!

Pet Shop Boys
Chicago Theatre, Chicago
Friday, October 27, 2006

The Pet Shop Boys’ tour behind 1999’s Nightlife set a benchmark for the dance duo given its lavish production, glittering costumes, beehive-high headdresses, dancers, and two acts of hits. Though the duo hasn’t quite kept up with that since (including a failed musical, overlooked specialty projects, and an introspective acoustic tipped album/tour to mixed reviews), a glimmer of hope arrived in the brand new Fundamental.

Unlike 2002’s Release, the disc is dipped in disco decadence and hearkens back to Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe’s glory days, which also came across in various places of this subsequent tour. Unfortunately though, it didn’t come until the second half, as part one slumped with stripped down production and minimal stage presence.

Anyone hoping for excess glitz and Vegas-styled glam were met with the Branson version as the core duo and four dancers/background vocalists emerged from a gigantic magic hat cut out of fabric that later was used as a projection screen. Though spectacle certainly isn’t everything for the Boys, it has been a common and vital component since the ’80s, in contrast to Tennant’s somewhat reserved displays. The frontman’s laid-back demeanor continued, which without the frills made favorites such as “Left To My Own Devices,” “Suburbia,” and “Can You Forgive Her?” uninspiring. Despite the lack of charisma, at least he wasn’t going through the motions as a vocalist, nailing each of the quivering patterns. Each of those tracks also featured significant contributions from the singers and dancers, especially longtime friend Sylvia Mason James, who rounded out the otherwise all-male ensemble.

Part two picked up significant steam thanks to flashier material, outfits, and stage attitudes, which especially showed through for the punchy “Domino Dancing” and the chic “Flamboyant.” A cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind” featured particularly colorful choreography, paving way for the cast to clad themselves in cowboy costumes (Brokeback Mountain anyone?) for a merger of U2’s “Where The Streets Have No Name” and Frankie Valli’s “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” Despite the questionable nature of these covers, the Chicago Theatre was instantly transformed into a boys’ town nightclub that continued through “It’s A Sin,” during which the screens turned sideways and transformed into go-go styled dance platforms. The pageantry carried into swansong “Go West,” featuring a front-line formation of all the performers (wearing everything from sparkling shirts to track suits) as they serenaded the audience with lyrics of peace and unity.

The show was also thick with tunes from Fundamental, which wasn’t necessarily bad considering pulsating club comebacks “I’m With Stupid” and “Minimal” are two of the group’s most vital selections of the past decade. Yet the record’s more subdued selections, particularly “Numb,” found Tennant glued to the floor as Lowe stayed stiff as a board behind his synth station. While the group filled the engagement with most of its essentials, it left out resplendent Dusty Springfield duet “What Have I Done To Deserve This?” (shown on screen during previous tours) and the normally show stopping “New York City Boy.” Between these unfortunate omissions and the sluggish first half, the Pet Shop Boys could’ve tweaked the show to more fruitful results, but once finding its footing, unveiled Fundamental and past favorites with regained fabulousness.

— Andy Argyrakis

Category: Live Reviews, Weekly