Pet Shop Boys

If aliens came down from space and were confronted with the Pet Shop Boys, who play this gig at The O2 Arena on the back of the release of their latest album Yes, they would see little to suggest the two men standing in front of them were pop stars and pioneers. In fact, they would probably Go West in search of less static monotony and a bit of oomph. You see, Neil Tennant and his partner-in-song Chris Lowe have never really looked convincing as musicians - one largely static behind a hat, his keyboard and ubiquitous shades, the other standing still, clasping a microphone and old enough to be your dad - but the duo have undoubtedly withstood the test of time. 25 years into their career, the Boys have sold more than 50 million albums and notched over 20 Top 10 hits with their infectious, catchy brand of "high-end, high-art disco pop for mind and body" (The Guardian). Constantly evolving - recent collaborators include Girls Aloud, Kylie, The Killers and Lady GaGa - Tennant and Lowe even managed to politely decline a request by an animal rights group to change their name to the Rescue Shelter Boys, and earlier this year picked up a Brit Awards' Outstanding Contribution gong. Yes was released in March to critical acclaim and in its wake the duo hit the road to sing about Love etc.