The Boys on those Take That / PSB rumours.

[Patrick Bateman]

We are truly through the looking glass: PSB supporting a MOR barbershop quintet for menopausal fag hags. Is Buble washing his hair?

[Sandy Shaw]

There is no smoke without fire. No wonder Chris was so taken aback when I mentioned it!

[Ellie]

Well, I think it's good news and not just because I've got tickets.

Obviously PSB are a million miles better than Take That. I was never keen on TT as a four piece but they're a bit better now that Robbie's back in the band. I've always thought Robbie is a very underrated pop songwriter and artist, whatever it's cool and credible to think and Neil has said things along the same lines in recent interviews. I can understand people's reservations but these things are usually based on current popularity and commerciality, not artistic credibility, so I think PSB supporting Take That wouldn't really make them appear lesser artists, it will just give them more exposure, which is good not just for commercial reasons. As others have pointed out, PSB have always been a pop band ultimately and a lot of TT's fanbase will be the right age to remember some of their hits too. I think it's quite nice that they don't consider something like this to be below them, actually.

A friend of mine suggested Take That's Progress is an album PSB could've released....?

I've not listened to it so can't comment, anyone think so?

I've heard it on Spotify. There probably is some PSB influence on Progress but it's not that much like them. It's reminiscent of Robbie's recent more electronic stuff but not as good, in my opinion. Some of the songs on Progress eg. Happy Now (which I recommend) is a bit like some of Rudebox or his latest album, Reality Killed the video Star (which I love and has amazing songs like Difficult for Weirdos and Last Days of Disco which I think are a bit more PSB.)

We are truly through the looking glass: PSB supporting a MOR barbershop quintet for menopausal fag hags. Is Buble washing his hair?

Well I'm not a menopausal fag hag. I'm going to see them because I'm a pop fan and I'm sure there are a load of other people going for the same reason. I'm also interested to see what kind of show Es Devlin will do for them this time, as the last one was supposed to be quite spectacular (though I can't imagine anything topping Pandemonium.)

[Ghost within this house]

There's bound to be a new track or two in the set...

[Tomas]

Hm, just a question - here (PSB website) they list dates in the UK, Ireland and Italy:
http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/tour

Here (TT website) they list Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands in addition:
http://www.takethat.com/live

Does that mean that PSB don't play in DK, DE, NL?

[tottenhammattspurs]

If even only a tenth of the audience over all these gigs feel compelled to go and buy a PSB cd or download, thats still over 10,000 extra sales, and thats before the additional merchandise!

Speculative 40 min setlist anyone?
More than a dream/Heart
Love etc
Go West
Always on my mind
Jealousy (with robbie?)
Suburbia
What have i done to deserve this
Its a sin
West end girls

[seriously]

EIGHT performances at Wembley... I'll be in the very back row with my binoculars.

[Sandy Shaw]

Hm, just a question - here (PSB website) they list dates in the UK, Ireland and Italy:
http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/tour

Here (TT website) they list Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands in addition:
http://www.takethat.com/live

Does that mean that PSB don't play in DK, DE, NL?

Also from the PSB site:

Pet Shop Boys will also join Take That for the subsequent European leg of the tour.

[Bulldog]

What should they do if TT start quarrelling again though?

[Bulldog]

If even only a tenth of the audience over all these gigs feel compelled to go and buy a PSB cd or download, thats still over 10,000 extra sales, and thats before the additional merchandise!

Speculative 40 min setlist anyone?
More than a dream/Heart
Love etc
Go West
Always on my mind
Jealousy (with robbie?)
Suburbia
What have i done to deserve this
Its a sin
West end girls

An updated "One in a million" possibly?

[joncool5]

If even only a tenth of the audience over all these gigs feel compelled to go and buy a PSB cd or download, thats still over 10,000 extra sales, and thats before the additional merchandise!

Speculative 40 min setlist anyone?
More than a dream/Heart
Love etc
Go West
Always on my mind
Jealousy (with robbie?)
Suburbia
What have i done to deserve this
Its a sin
West end girls

A 10th over 30 shows will be more in the region of 100,000 and that's not even with it being full for when they perform.

[skyhigh]

pity these things aren't announced before the tickets sell out.

[greenmile]

LOL at the @betshopboys twitter

"Just heard that Hurts are supporting East17 on their UK reunion tour!!"

https://twitter.com/#!/betshopboys/stat ... 0172646400

[leesmapman]

Ah, that's why they're trending on Twitter.

[Patrick Bateman]

Quite funny to see PSB trending on Twitter - "Have they died?" Arf.

Reactions naturally range from the sensible ("The first concert I go to that I leave after the support act") to the misinformed ("Three hours of crap for the price of two") and the young ("Who are they?" )