Pet Shop Boys - Inner Sanctum

Blu-ray/ DVD/ 2CD package of Pet Shop Boys breath-taking show 'Inner Sanctum', filmed at London's Royal Opera House during a sold-out run in 2018 summer.

The iconic duo's acclaimed production, first presented at the Royal Opera House in 2016 over four sold-out shows, was reprised at the venue for a further four nights in July 2018 as part of their 'Super' tour. Staged by long-term PSB designer Es Devlin and choreographer/director Lynne Page, the show was filmed by director David Barnard. Filmed on 27 and 28 July 2018, the full-length film on DVD and Blu-ray is accompanied by two CDs of the complete audio of the live show plus a bonus feature of PSB live at Rock in Rio, which was recorded on 17 September 2017 at the Brazilian festival.

 The 'Inner Sanctum' production won rave reviews for a musical and visual extravaganza which brought lasers, dazzling choreography and immersive visuals and stage design to the ornate surroundings of the Royal Opera House for an electrifying show. The set-list featured contemporary PSB material from their last two albums 'Super' and 'Electric' mixed with many PSB's classic hits from their peerless back catalogue including 'Love comes quickly', 'West End girls', 'It's a sin', 'Go West' and 'Always on my mind'.

Bananarama: Dance Music (Live at The Observatory in San Deigo)

Whooooooop! Thanks Davearama for your camera work.

Community spirit

Have we lost a bit of old-fashioned community spirit?

I admit it.  I don't pay much attention to my neighbours.  I live in a city and people are generally less chatty to strangers.  However, community spirit does exist in some places if you really look for it.

I'd like to think that there is a bit of community spirit on my LoveBananarama social media accounts.  I'm genuinely interested in other peoples point of views, as long as they are respectful and rational.  

Like most people, I love to see people with their pets or read about the music their listening to - or if they've written something particularly insightful.  I'll even go as far as being happy to see what peoples food choices are too.  It's actually sometimes quite inspirational if I'm low on ideas.

The pages of the Pop Justice forums are quite entertaining too.  There are some names on those pages that have been around for years - and although some people can be a bit Judge Judy, there is a community of mostly like-minded music fans, who are there to dissect every element of a song in an often comedic and entertaining way.  I love a good natter about pop.

But...back to the real world...

So, on 28th April at the Glee Club in Birmingham, I'll be there with my lovely friends - do come over and say hello.  I'll no doubt be wearing a hat, as that's my thing.

Ted. x

Bananarama - Q&A

If you had the opportunity, what questions would you ask Bananarama?

If you are one of the lucky few that have tickets for the event of 2019, 'An evening with Bananarama', you just may be in luck....

So, what questions would you ask our favourite ladies?

What happened when you met Robert De Niro?  Dish the dirt.  There are rumours that he took a shine to one Banana.

Tell us something juicy about the early eighties club scene in London.  There has to be plenty of stories there.  There were so many future stars on the scene.

Who is better at netball - Sade or Keren?  It's a very important and serious question.

What was your beef with Samantha Fox?  I seem to recall snide comments in an interview. Naughty Bananas. Poor Sam.

Who makes you weak at the knees?  An insight into their current...er... romantic thoughts.

Have you seen Peter Cunnah from D-Ream, after giving him a dead leg?  Yes, he deserved it - but has he ever apologised.

What is your favourite George Michael song?  The late, great man and a friend.

Tell us a funny story about you and George.  There must be loads of tales.

At the recording of Band Aid, who did you most want to meet, if any?

Do you miss a weekly Top of the Pops?  I do.

When are you next seeing Siobhan? ...and can I come too?

What is your favourite track from the new album?  We'll have heard the full album by then.

Sitting in the back row

The thrill of seeing an artist perform on a large scale.  The pyrotechnics. The large screens. Lasers. A troop of 20 dancers. An array of extravagant costumes.  It all sounds so amazing, doesn't it?  Unless you're the one who is sitting at the back of the arena.

I ask myself, is there any point going to a gig if I'm not as close to the stage as possible?

Many years ago, I went to Madonna in concert... and of course she was amazing, I assume - because some of the stage was obscured by the overhang of a balcony.

Then recently, I went to see Kylie Minogue and the VIP area was so enormous (and not very full) that the positioning wasn't anywhere near as good as it perhaps should've been, despite the lengthy queuing.

When the Olympics came to London, I was at a party at my friends house.  They had just purchased an enormous HD television and there was a particularly exciting event on - but it was the sheer quality and enormity of those images that brought it home to me.  Why would you bother going to see an event when you can watch everything in amazing detail on your television screen, in the comfort of your home?  You'll never get to experience the view from multiple angles in a sports arena.  You won't be able to pop the kettle on for a cup of tea during the boring parts.

I think I've just aged before my time - but seriously, I can't be alone with these thoughts, surely?

Nerina Pallot: A secret

I'm quite selfish.

Is it bad that I don't want Nerina Pallot to reach the heady heights of uber stardom?  I like that she does intimate gigs and I feel superior when I can sing along to the lyrics of my favourite obscure Nerina tracks.

Nerina's released 6 albums in total, but my favourite is her most recent, 'Stay Lucky' with its beautiful title track and the stand out song 'Man Didn't Walk on the Moon'.  A song with Fleetwood Mac charm that had me immediately hooked (see video, below).

Nerina's shows are always a fun affair. You get songs, the occasional joke, tales of family life and perhaps bravely, Brexit was even discussed at the last gig I went to.

So, listen to the song, check out Nerina's catalogue covertly and appreciate her fabulous talent - but don't you dare make her a huge star!  I realise that sentiment is fucked up.... *looks for emoji of a man shrugging his shoulders*

Bananarama: Live at the London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo

Seeing the original Bananarama line-up deliver a tour was such an unexpected and incredible moment.  

Having lived and breathed Bananarama since my youth and experiencing the dramatic devastation of the split (I blame my hormones), nobody ever thought this would happen - but it did and it was one of the single most joyful moments of my life.

I bought the merch.  I stood shaking with excitement with my friends.  I danced until my legs fell off.  I looked in awe at the incredible screen graphics.  I was blown away by the new production and the makeover of those hits.  It ticked all of the boxes.

This tour didn't just live up to our expectations, it blew them away.  To look around the venues and see the faces of happy audience members was unexpectedly emotional.  It wasn't just middle aged gay men and wives.  There was a diverse collection of people of all ages and most importantly, they knew the songs ...and many of them also knew all of the camp arm movements too.  It was a genuinely endearing moment to see so many people experiencing utterly, blissful, unabashed pure joy. 

We were all so thankful that we got to experience that joy again with the Live album in various versions, including a DVD and bluray.  Many people don't realise that it's also available on iTunes, see link below.  It was Blue Monday yesterday and I can't think of a better way to wash those blues away than watch one of the worlds greatest pop groups back together again.