A Rare Collaboration at the Electric Ballroom

Pet Shop Boys treated fans to a special surprise during their recent residency at London’s Electric Ballroom, welcoming legendary guitarist Johnny Marr to the stage. The performance, which took place on Wednesday, March 8, was part of the duo’s ongoing ‘Obscure’ live series—a five-night residency dedicated exclusively to deep cuts and rarities from their extensive back catalogue.

The collaboration saw the trio breathe new life into tracks that have rarely, if ever, been performed live. Among the highlights were the live debuts of ‘Up Against It’ and ‘I Didn’t Get Where I Am Today’, alongside a rendition of ‘The Truck Driver and His Mate’, which had not been played live since 2002.

Deep Cuts and Career-Spanning Rarities

The ‘Obscure’ residency has been a masterclass in fan service, with Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant digging deep into their archives. Earlier shows in the week featured the first-ever live performances of tracks like ‘Jack The Lad’ (1986), ‘After The Event’ (2012), and ‘New Boy’ (2020). The setlist also marked the return of songs like ‘To Face The Truth’ and ‘Your Funny Uncle’, which had been absent from the stage for decades.

Marr’s appearance added a layer of historical significance to the evening. The guitarist, who famously formed the new wave supergroup Electronic with Tennant and Lowe in the late 1980s, integrated seamlessly into the set. Following the performance, Marr took to Instagram to express his gratitude, sharing photos from the stage and noting his excitement leading up to the gig.

A History of Creative Partnership

The connection between Marr and Pet Shop Boys is long-standing. Beyond their work in Electronic, Marr has contributed guitar work to numerous Pet Shop Boys albums, including 1990’s Behaviour, 2002’s Release, and 2009’s Yes. Their collaborative history extends to live appearances as well, including a notable 2017 performance at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

This latest guest spot continues a busy period for both acts. Pet Shop Boys recently released their 15th studio album, Nonetheless, to critical acclaim, while Johnny Marr continues to balance his solo career with high-profile projects, including his upcoming homecoming show at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl this July.

The Setlist

Pet Shop Boys’ setlist was:

• ‘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’