Pet Shop Boys review – no hits? No problem on first night of a masterful obscurities run

At the Electric Ballroom, London, dedicated fans of the iconic duo were thoroughly indulged during the inaugural night of an intimate five-day residency. They were treated to a rich selection of rare tracks, offering a fresh perspective on the band's renowned history. "Tonight..." Neil Tennant announced with a smooth pause, "no hits!" The audience erupted in cheers. "B-sides?" he teased. "Album tracks! And what we're calling – though it's really both of those – fan favourites." It's an unusual event when the lead singer of a historically significant pop band can promise the absence of their most famous songs – 'West End Girls,' 'Always on My Mind,' 'Rent,' to name just a few of dozens – and still receive such an enthusiastic reception.

However, the Pet Shop Boys have been touring with their 'Dreamworld' greatest hits show since 2022, a production that has barely included material from their excellent yet underrated 2024 album, 'Nonetheless,' let alone many other lesser-known tracks. While casual fans of the Pet Shop Boys have been well-served in recent years, their most ardent 'ultras' have perhaps felt a little neglected. This five-night series of intimate concerts at Camden's Electric Ballroom aims to rectify that, delving into the band's less-explored repertoire. This series also serves to promote a new book detailing their highly intentional visual history, and in typical one-word fashion, the tour is simply titled 'Obscure'.

Neil Tennant and his synth counterpart Chris Lowe had previously disclosed that they had rehearsed 35 potential songs from their 42-year career. Yet, their enduring dedication to the single format, with its carefully crafted B-sides and remixes, means the possibilities are virtually endless. One fan even compiled a pre-show playlist featuring 226 "B-sides and non-singles," and still doubted its comprehensiveness. Tennant kept a tray containing the lyrics close by – a sensible precaution, given that two songs performed tonight were live debuts, while others were making their first appearance on stage in decades.