Slipping and sliding to the bus stop to get to the tube but there were no buses for some reason so, after waiting for 25 minutes I slipped and slid to the nearest mainline train station to get to Victoria to get a tube only to find that the tube faced its own problems with not enough trains and too many people so the Jubilee line entrance at Green Park was closed to let crowds disperse. When I finally got to the O2 the snow had turned to slush and started to freeze and the German Christmas market was looking quite sad. Because of ice, they'd even closed the big 'O' entrance to the dome - that's *my* entrance, that is. Anyway, all was well after a feast of chips and pint of beer.
First up was Bad Lieutenant, Bernard Sumner's new band, energetic rock led alternately by guitars and by keyboard beats. They played songs from the first album, 'Never Cry Another Tear' as well as a few New Order songs and finishing with Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'. That was a thrill in itself. The band were solid and it was good to see them, just a shame the lights were limited to the small space they had at the front of the stage. I liked what I heard and have already downloaded the album.
Then the walls were exposed and the lights dimmed and on came the Pet Shop Boys with colourful cubes on their heads for the first song, then off with the cubes and on with the show. It's the 'Pandemonium Tour' and the show was virtually the same as the one we saw back in June (almost six months to the day). Again, most of the fab songs from the new album ('Yes') were in the first half of the show and the second half was greatest-hits-central. The Boys were excellent, on top form, and the dancers were great too. Considering it's called the 'Pandemonium' tour it's odd that the song comes so early in the set.
How to choose some highlights from a show that's full of highlights? 'Love etc' and 'Pandemonium' were great, as were 'New York City Boy', 'Se A Vida E' and 'It's A Sin'. The magic started with 'What Have I Done To Deserve This' with the face of Dusty Springfield projected bigly on the back wall, singing her part from their duet from 20 years ago and lovely to see Neil still doing 
homage to Dusty. Although I'd seen the show before it still came as a surprise to see the main wall come tumbling down again and the blocks suspended in mid air. The staging and lights were excellent.They came on for an encore of 'Being Boring', always a tender song of hope and joy, sadness and death, their great new version of Madness's 'My Girl' and a dancetastic version of 'West End Girls'. Chris wore his 'tropical garden' hat again - I still want that hat. The applause continued so back they came for a second encore with '
It Doesn't Always Snow At Christmas', their Christmas song that's just been generally released. Chris was in a white fur hat and multicoloured scarf, Neil in black fur hat and, to top it all, the four dancers were in Christmas Tree outfits - that made me grin widely and was a nice fun way to end the show. "Bing Crosby, are you listening to me..." and then the snow started to fall on the stage to match the snow outside. That was a great sequence, and probably something we'll never see them play again unless they tour at Christmas in future. I loved it and that sequence alone made up for all the problems getting there (and the problems getting home too)! Thanks, lads!The Pet Shop Boys put on a great show so if you get the chance, go and see 'em!
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