Pet Shop Boys to hold intimate "in conversation" event at iconic Manchester venue

Pet Shop Boys have spoken out about their namecheck in Eminem’s diss track ‘Can-I-Bitch’, joking about the good “humour” of the rapper.Released on ‘Straight from the Lab’ bootleg album, Eminem’s ‘Can-I-Bitch’ – a diss track aimed at fellow rapper Canibus – included Eminem mimicking the sound of a car hitting someone and the lyric, “What was that? Pet Shop Boys”, implying he and producer/mentor Dr Dre had mowed down the 2017 NME Godlike Genius award recipients.‘Can-I-Bitch’ is thought partly to be an answer-song to Pet Shop Boys’ ‘The Night I Fell in Love’, the penultimate song on their 2002 album ‘Release’ – detailing the story of a teenage boy who has a one-night-stand with his rap idol after a gig.Despite Eminem never being explicitly mentioned by name, it includes lyrical references that appear to point to Marshall Mathers as inspiration – including ‘Over breakfast made jokes about Dre and his homies’, and ‘Then he joked: ‘Hey man, your name isn’t Stan, is it?’ (as a nod to Eminem’s 2000 chart-topping single). Reacting to ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ in 2002, Dr Dre hinted at Eminem’s forthcoming response-track when he commented: “We needed another song anyway.

slammed Taylor Swift on the heels of her “The Tortured Poets Department” album release.“She fascinates me as a sort of phenomenon because she is so popular,” Tennant, 68, said while speaking at the Guardian Live event “An Evening with Pet Shop Boys” in London on Monday, per The Independent.“I sort of like the whole thing but then think, ‘Where are the famous songs? What is Taylor Swift’s Billie Jean?'”He went on: “‘Shake it Off’? Is it though? I listened to that the other day and it is not ‘Billie Jean.’”Swift, 34, dropped her 11th studio album on April 19, which included a whopping 31 new songs seemingly about multiple ex-boyfriends, including Joe Alwyn, Matty Healy and John Mayer.Swift’s fans often theorize who she’s writing about with her lyrics and Easter eggs. She and Healy, 35, briefly dated last summer after her six-year relationship with Alwyn, 33, ended.

Fontaines D.C. have added more shows to their 2024 ‘Romance’ UK and Ireland tour – find all the details below.The Dublin band will hit the road this November in support of their fourth album ‘Romance’, which is due for release on August 23 via XL Recordings (pre-order/pre-save here).Now, Fontaines D.C.

recent gig postponements, and instead “focusing on ensuring a consistent total power supply”.The new venue, which is the UK’s largest indoor arena, is located opposite Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, and features a “unique bowl design” that will bring fans “closer to the artist than at other arenas of equivalent size”, according to a spokesperson.It was set to launch this week, with Bolton comedian Peter Kay scheduled to perform yesterday (April 23) and today (April 24). However, following a test gig featuring Rick Astley over the weekend, it was later decided that the dates would be moved to next Monday (April 29) and Tuesday (30) due to the venue’s power testing falling “a few days” behind schedule.“Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay,” the venue said in a statement.

Pet Shop Boys have responded to the recent comparisons of their classic single ‘It’s A Sin’ to Olly Alexander’s Eurovision entry ‘Dizzy’.Alexander released the track last month ahead of the Years & Years singer representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden next month.‘Dizzy’ was co-written by Alexander and electronic producer Danny L Harle (Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Caroline Polachek). Upon the track’s release, the former explained that it was “inspired by a lot of music we love from the ’80s like Erasure, Adamski and of course Pet Shop Boys”.Some listeners have pointed out similarities to Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe’s 1987 hit specifically.

Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys has taken a pop at Taylor Swift, saying her tunes don't match up to classic hits from superstar Michael Jackson.

Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram system is celebrating a Personal Best - recorded on the day of the Manchester Marathon.

Pet Shop Boys have spoken out about Drake’s unauthorised sample of one of their tracks in a new interview.The comments come after the band claimed last October that the rapper used a sample of their hit ‘West End Girls’ without their knowledge or permission.The alleged infringement was included in Drake’s latest album ‘For All The Dogs’, on a track called ‘All The Parties’ in which the Canadian artist sings: “East End boy and West End girls.” The lyrics and melody mirrored the Pet Shop Boys’ own song, in which they sing: “In a West End town, a dead end world/ The East End boys and West End girls.”Following its release, the London duo took to X/Twitter to write: “Surprising to hear Drake singing the chorus of ‘West End Girls’ in the track ‘All the Parties’ on his new album. No credit given or permission requested.”Now, in a new interview with NME, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have shed more light on the debate, and said that it has all been resolved.They began by making a nod towards the topic, recalling the differences between modern and ‘80s rap.

Peter Kay shows.The Bolton comedian was due to perform tomorrow (April 23) and Wednesday (April 24) but following a test gig featuring Rick Astley at the weekend, it has been decided that the dates will be moved to next Monday (April 29) and Tuesday (30) due to the venue’s power testing falling “a few days” behind schedule.A statement from the venue said: “Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay. It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind.An important update from Co-op Live.

A gangster who once led the feared Gooch Gang has died in prison. Lee 'Cabbo' Amos was jailed in 2009 for the drive-by killing of Tyrone Gilbert, 24.

New Manchester venue Co-op Live arena has announced that two upcoming Peter Kay gigs have been rescheduled, following concerns which were raised during the arena's first test event on Saturday.The venue had its first event on Saturday evening, although a number of ticket holders were told their tickets had been cancelled just a hour before the concert kicked off.Those who were able to attend saw Rick Astley, Danny Jones, and Everything Everything take to the stage. However, this test event appears to have sparked concerns that the building isn't quite ready just yet, leading to the cancellation of Peter's upcoming gigs.

Peter Kay’s huge gig at Manchester’s brand new Co-op Live arena has been cancelled. The comedian's second show at the venue on Wednesday evening (April 24) has also been cancelled.

Ticket holders have been turned away from a test event at Manchester's huge new arena just hours before the show was due to start.

Fontaines D.C. have announced details of a huge UK and Ireland tour, set to kick off later this year.

Pete Doherty has announced plans to curate a trio of UK shows next month.The Libertines man will host three nights in Manchester and London to mark the fifth anniversary of his record label Strap Originals.Over the three nights at The White Hotel (May 28) and the 100 Club in the capital (29,30) Doherty will take part in a Q&A about his life, his music and his vision for the label.A host of the label’s artists including Trampolene, Andrew Cushin, Vona Vella, Evan Williams will also perform over the three day period. You can view the full line-up below and purchase tickets here.Strap Originals was launched in 2017 with the release of Doherty & The Puta Madres’ self titled album.

A police officer climbed over a counter to detain a shop worker who ignored requests to stop hiding bags full of illicit tobacco, licensing papers state. A hearing is set to consider an application tomorrow, (Friday) for Beytoushi Market, Bury New Road, Prestwich to sell alcohol until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

He was one of Oasis' founding members. But bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan has rarely been seen in public since he quit the iconic Manchester band at the height of their fame back in 1999.

Amanda Holden has compared a new Britain's Got Talent singer to a global superstar, as the brand new series sets a record for golden buzzer acts, who are fast-tracked straight to the live finals.

Johnny Marr was joined on stage by Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant at London’s Eventim Apollo last night (April 12) – check out footage from the show below. Marr’s The Spirit Power Tour arrived at the Hammersmith venue, and welcomed Tennant at the end of the set for covers of David Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’ and Electronic’s ‘Getting Away With It’, a song on which Tennant himself sang the original lead vocals.

Pet Shop Boys have announced an intimate show at London’s Koko next month – find out all the ticket details and information below.The 80s synth pop legends recently announced the details of their new album ‘Nonetheless’, and shared lead single ‘Loneliness’. The album comes out on April 26, with James Ford acting as producer.The band will celebrate the release of the show with a small show at London’s Koko on May 26.