Pet Shop Boys Majestic Theater Ventura, CA April 11 Concert Review! Photo Gallery! And Meeting The Band!

Pet Shop Boys
Majestic Theater
Ventura, CA
April 11, 2014

I know most music “goers” were excited by Coachella this weekend and last, but I was most jazzed about seeing the one and only Pet Shop Boys. The Pet Shop Boys were on the Coachella bill this year, but I was lucky enough to catch them in a smaller, more intimate venue last week before the big event. While I appreciate the music festivals and have attended, I find them to be too costly and effort driven to see a favorite band. Luckily bands find some other smaller venues while in town to perform prior or in between the big Coachella weekend. The Pet Shop Boys had a gig on April 11th before their festival gig. I was really excited by this appearance as I missed them the last time they came through Los Angeles. I heard and read that the show was awesome.

When I told most people I was going to the show, they looked at me puzzled as to who the Pet Shop Boys were. After I sang a few bars of songs, I finished with “West End Girls,” to which everyone said, “Oh yeah!” It saddens me that amazing groups, like the Pet Shop Boys, are forgotten in the United States. If it is not on commercial radio, most people do not listen to other artists or groups. Commercial radio does not always pay attention to talent. When it does, the powers that be are fickle with whom they choose to stay with over the years. It still baffles me that the radio stations still choose to play Britney Spears after all these years with her over produced sound and voice. Anyways, back to the amazing night at hand.

30 years after the release of the single “West End Girls,” this powerhouse electronic duo are still writing and producing amazing tracks. I am so glad they still make their way to the United States to perform. Tonight was a GREAT night of music from the moment the lights when out all the way until the last song. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe were spot on. Neil’s voice is still as amazing as it has ever been. The audience was treated to the sounds of electro-synth pop, pop, and house. Every person in the theater was a fan and singing along. It was cool to experience the same joy that everyone was feeling around you. This feeling was heightened with the strobes, lasers, and lighting. I did not stop moving….did I mention I was in the front? This was an unbelievable experience.

Hearing songs from their new album, “Electric,” live added a whole level of enjoyment. Hearing songs live is always a special treat for me. The incomparable Stuart Price produced this album. Whatever he touches turns to gold in my opinion. Highlights from the show for me were “Integral,” “Fluorescent,” “Love Etc.,” “It’s a Sin,” and “Vocal.” These tracks were bold and had the lighting visuals to enhance the experience to another level than just a band performing a track. The setlist for the night was as follows:

Axis
One More Chance / A Face Like That
Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)
Love Is a Bourgeois Construct
Fugitive
Integral
I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind of Thing
Suburbia
I’m Not Scared
Fluorescent
West End Girls
Somewhere
Leaving
Thursday
Love Etc.
I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)
Rent
Miracles
It’s a Sin
Domino Dancing
Always on My Mind
Encore:
Go West
Vocal

After the show I made my way out to see if I could get the guys to sign my albums I brought along. I was disappointed to find out that Neil and Chris did a meet and greet before the show. I learned this ticketed event had sold out quickly. Having already met with fans, I wasn’t sure they would want to stop to talk with fans again. We waited a while and Neil came out. He kindly signed my albums and some other fans’ albums as well. I was a little disappointed as the signatures were not as nice as the ones from inside, but it was cool that Neil took the time to do it. Unfortunately, we missed Chris on the way out. Thank you Neil and Chris for a FANTASTIC night of music.