“Obskur Pet Shop Boys” in Berlin

[Patrick Bateman]

Yeah, I don't think it was a cynical move - these shows were surely added as an afterthought. It's just the effect is the same: imperfect knowledge with which to make a choice - should one wish to choose. For others, of course, this is just more of a good thing and choice doesn't come into it: "Too much of everything is never enough..."

I think it's just an age thing, for me. I love PSB to death, but the lovely thing about lifelong fandom is it evolves over time, transforming into whatever complements the stage of life. I think these shows are wonderful for superfans. But I'm not nor ever was a superfan. My fandom is intense - but semi-detached and on my own terms. So, I'll shut up now and emote in age-appropriate terms.

Drico.

And neither Dreamworld nor Obscure are as good as Performance...

[Whosematchesarethose]

I attended two London Obscures amongst the best nights of my life. Booked for both in Berlin in a ‘heart beat’, fan since I was 11 this isn’t going to last forever so I am grabbing every moment.

[Drico One]

And neither Dreamworld nor Obscure are as good as Performance...

Yes, I had a similar thought recently. Dreamworld is great - but it could never be Performance in 1991. Just like I could never be 19 again. Truth be told, that kind of intense fandom has left me - as, I would suggest, it should. Expecting people in their 50s to be as obsessed with pop as we were as teenagers is a bit like expecting Pet Shop Boys to be having top 10 hits in 2026. And maybe it took me a little time to fully accept that I'm just not...arsed anymore. Let's face it, the thought of standing in an enclosed space with over-excited middle-aged Germans doesn't really have that much appeal any more...

It is 35 years this week since I saw Performance in Dublin. About time I grew up.

Drico.

[Dog]

I attended two London Obscures amongst the best nights of my life. Booked for both in Berlin in a ‘heart beat’, fan since I was 11 this isn’t going to last forever so I am grabbing every moment.

They said that about Dreamworld

[Pinhead44]

I cannot recognize anything from that setlist's photo (except of encore songs - which are always the same). Is there really a Miserablism's trace?

I can read it. Yes Miserablism is there!

I had a really close look at the setlist and compared it to the previous one.
From what I gather, it's the exact same from track 13 onwards. The first half of the setlist, although illegible we can see the words fit the same shape and title lengths.
Only part I'm unsure of is in the middle, Sexy Northerner and In His Imagination may have been swapped out.

If this is the set list for Sun night I am going to be one very contented attendee !

[minimalpsb]

3 Weeks to go i am really excited about my very first Obscure Show

[Whosematchesarethose]

and me!

[minimalpsb]

Obskure Concerts rescheduled from 8pm to 7:15pm !!!

[Danimal]

For the London shows after the first night when they debuted 10 songs they had never performed live before they subsequently rotated a further two or three different selections into the setlist on each successive night. I’m curious if for the Berlin shows they hold that pattern and prepare four to six additional songs which weren’t played at the London shows.

I’m also curious if they will host any special guests as they did for the London gigs. I could see their friend Joel Gibb turning up to sing on “In his imagination.”

[tottenhammattspurs]

If they decide to start performing Obscure shows in key cities around the world, doesn’t that then make the songs within that obscure setlist no longer obscure?

[Danimal]

If they decide to start performing Obscure shows in key cities around the world, doesn’t that then make the songs within that obscure setlist no longer obscure?

They’re “Obscure” in that they’re not the “Hits” or the most popularly known songs. I see these shows as a contrast to their “Dreamworld” shows in that they’re not intended for a mass audience but rather the faithful.

[RafBoy]

Hi Guys. I posted this in 2 groups on Facebook as well - so sorry for double post if you've already seen it there, but I know many people avoid FB these days so here you go:
Just a quick tip for all of you who are travelling to Berlin in July (11-12-13th) for Dreamworld / OBSKUR shows. It's a perfect opportunity to vist the world famous and legendary Hansa Studios where PSB recorded HOTSPOT, David Bowie "Heroes", DM "Black Celebration" etc. I was there in May and can highly recommend this tour. The only guide with access to this place is Thilo from https://www.facebook.com/groups/4077736 ... 3749522424. He's a great guy and when I met him I suggested that he should prepare a PSB special tour for the PSB fans invasion in July. He just came back to me yesterday and said he has special availability for 12th / 13th / 14th July 2026 and some other days. You won't regret it - it's a must if you are in Berlin.
When booking - please mention to him you are PSB fan and you know about this tour from me.
- extra tip: please make sure to ask Thilo, prior to booking the date, if the tour would include the currently active top floor studio - that's where "Hotspot" was recorded. It's not always open for visitors as there might be some actual recording ongoing at the time... I was lucky to see it as well - no photos allowed in there though just so you know.
- interesting fact - a new BBC doc about David Bowie BERLIN years is coming soon - and Thilo was the consultant for this documentary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/ ... 05XAAJxYJQ.

Here is the booking link: http://www.musictours-berlin.de/en/tickets

[petshopgrrl]

I cannot recognize anything from that setlist's photo (except of encore songs - which are always the same). Is there really a Miserablism's trace?

I can read it. Yes Miserablism is there!

I had a really close look at the setlist and compared it to the previous one.
From what I gather, it's the exact same from track 13 onwards. The first half of the setlist, although illegible we can see the words fit the same shape and title lengths.
Only part I'm unsure of is in the middle, Sexy Northerner and In His Imagination may have been swapped out.

If this is the set list for Sun night I am going to be one very contented attendee !

It looks like whatever comes before ICHH may be replaced by Through you. Excellent sleuthing there.

[ichbinichbinich]

Hello together, I finally decided to give away my ticket to someone loving to attend that show. I had seen two shows in London and I bought the ticket in the first seconds of the official release on eventim. But seeing the the setlist here I am not interested to see the same show a third time. Someone interested to buy it from me? How should it be done? Can someone ask in the German forum? Or is it easy to get a membership?

[nicmtrt]

I attended two London Obscures amongst the best nights of my life. Booked for both in Berlin in a ‘heart beat’, fan since I was 11 this isn’t going to last forever so I am grabbing every moment.

Same here, saw 3 Obscure shows in London, also amongst the best 3 nights of my life. Seing the PSB again yesterday evening in Paris got rid of my last doubts so I just booked tickets for both Obskur shows in Berlin AND the Dreamworld show at the Waldbühne venue. So excited !
And yes, there are still tickets available !