Pet Shop Boys Community

So, here we are, eleven years later, and having recently experienced them at Obscure, I am optimistic that we have at least another ten years to go.

m+

We will know in ten years time. Health is now going to be more important for them than artistic relevance or commercial success. Based on the latter two,they can go on forever, as the nostalgia market is huge. But health is going to be the major challenge. They do not have any health issues that we know of, but if one of them is no longer able to tour, sing or make music, it will be the end. And there will be an end to this all of course, after 70 the years really start to count for many. Not many artist continue until after their 80s. The Stones are always cited as the success story, but they are no longer able to tour because of poor health (who could blame them) and they are down to only 2 of the original line up. For every Mick Jagger, Giorgio Moroder, Leonard Cohen and McCartney there is a George Michael, Prince, Malcolm Young and Bowie. But then there's Sparks

I hope the Boys will continue for another 10 years though, both releasing music and doing live shows, if they are able to do it in a Sparks way.

This will affect the whole generation of 1980s acts of course. Not many 1970s acts are still active, and if they are, they are from the late 70s (Simple Minds, Cure, Human League, none of them even remotely in their original line up though), that's probably a good predictor.

Enjoy it while it lasts and try not to think too far ahead - that’s my view fwiw.

minimal wrote: Sat 09 May 2026, 6:32 am So, here we are, eleven years later, and having recently experienced them at Obscure, I am optimistic that we have at least another ten years to go.

m+

Yes! - roll on 2036 - but not too quickly now that I'm over 60!

Sandy Shaw wrote: Sat 09 May 2026, 10:18 am

minimal wrote: Sat 09 May 2026, 6:32 am So, here we are, eleven years later, and having recently experienced them at Obscure, I am optimistic that we have at least another ten years to go.

m+

Yes! - roll on 2036 - but not too quickly now that I'm over 60!

Nooo… enjoy now. Don’t wish our lives away!

dbaseboy wrote: Sat 09 May 2026, 10:06 am Enjoy it while it lasts and try not to think too far ahead - that’s my view fwiw.

This - things can come out of the blue that will affect productivity. I hope they stay happy and healthy for a lot longer yet, but like someone else said, health will be the prevailing block here on in, not artistic creativity.

But morbid this isn’t it? Keep going Neil and Chris! Pet Shop OAPs.

Pet Shop Boys, Down the allotment

OMD began late 70s and they've said their last album (2023) is probably it for them.

daveid wrote: Sun 10 May 2026, 4:26 pm OMD began late 70s and they've said their last album (2023) is probably it for them.

True, but OMD are also a different act than PSB. They went through numerous line up changes with McCluskey the only constant member over the years, while PSB were always Neil and Chris. The two founding OMD members are younger than the Boys though.

Sometimes I find it easy to forget that Neil and Chris (Neil more so) started their pop careers comparatively late in life. I often think that is why they've been quite grounded over 40 years. None of that teen/early 20's hormone to make you think you're invincible, and a more mature outlook right from the get go.

the lads are in great shape for their age aren't they? Fair play to them, hopefully they'll continue for a while yet

OMD and New Order both finished their writing careers with two fantastic pop albums... now they're just endlessly touring. I can't see PSB becoming just a touring band... just rolling out the old hits live (although Dreamworld might prove me wrong). They'll keep writing and recording (I hope).

Spittingcat wrote: Mon 11 May 2026, 12:08 pm OMD and New Order both finished their writing careers with two fantastic pop albums... now they're just endlessly touring. I can't see PSB becoming just a touring band... just rolling out the old hits live (although Dreamworld might prove me wrong). They'll keep writing and recording (I hope).

New Order were never prolific. In the last 30 years, they released 3 and a half albums.
OMD released 5 albums in the last 30 years and their last one is from 2023, almost as recent as the Boys' latest album. I would say they have become a touring band now

I would go step by step according mainly to their health. They are old men and health is a delicate issue. It appears that the next thing will be A man from the future? So enjoy it as much as you can. I only hope that as Naked is not on production (Neil said that in the Obscure shows) we would get a new studio album sooner that expected. By the way they are still with Dreamland which is a very good signal of their mood and health!!!

There are so many bands and artists carrying on into their 80's now. Maybe a few who need the money, many who don't, they just enjoy it. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, this week Paul Simon... what's to say they won't still be making great music in 10-15 years? I truly hope so.