It’s official – Pet Shop Boys are the latest legendary act in music to be added to the Godlike Genius hall of fame. They’re in good company – the likes of Dave Grohl, Blondie, Noel Gallagher and Primal Scream have all picked up the award in the past.
Explaining why the band are being bestowed with the honour, NME’s editor-in-chief Mike Williams said: “For three decades, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have been pushing the boundaries of pop music, releasing a series of consistently excellent singles and albums and working to blur the boundaries between art, music and social commentary.
“Their influence on pop culture is undeniable and the list of artists they’ve worked with is a mini rock ’n’ roll hall of fame. Pet Shop Boys’ stage performances and festival shows are never anything short of spectacular, and we’re honoured that our latest Godlike Geniuses will grace the Brixton stage for an extra-special set of hits to close the VO5 NME Awards 2017.”
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe themselves described themselves as “really happy” with the news, and Twitter seemed to reflect that positive feeling too. With barely a negative comment on the news, it seems the music-loving public are in agreement: Pet Shop Boys are absolutely Godlike. Here’s some of the best reactions to the news.
One fan utilised the band’s own work to show he felt about it all
Well done @josephsudiro, we applaud your creativity.
GODLIKE GENIUS pic.twitter.com/RepUcgdr7Z
— JS (@josephsudiro) February 2, 2017
Some fans reckon we’re a little bit late in handing this award over to the duo…
Only 30 years late though… Sorry Peter, we stand corrected. Better late than never, though, eh?
Congrats! Should've got it after Actually in my humble opinion.
— Peter W (@peter_simpkina) February 2, 2017
And some thought there were no other options
We can think of a few other acts who would be equally as fitting to get the nod, but we see your point – Tennant and Lowe have done more than enough to deserve being crowd Godlike Geniuses.
@ElectricPSB @petshopboys @VO5 well lets face it, who else they gonna give it too 😉 #PSBFOREVER
— Pearse O'Brien (@mixup_1) February 2, 2017
Iain reminded us what the Pet Shop Boys do best
That’s not only push boundaries, but craft killer pop songs in the process. Hear hear.
Damn right they do – they've also crafted some of the finest pop songs of the last 25 years. Godlike Genii indeed!
— Iain Liddiard (@IainLiddiard) February 2, 2017
And this lot just had some of the sweetest, most heartfelt responses to the news
They’re a timely reminder what the band means to people and how they’ve affected and helped their fans. Long may they continue to do so.
More than deserved this award, are geniuses of music, congratulations boys ?????
— solange goes lima (@GoeslimaGoes) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/HugePSBfan99/status/827127079095382016
You can be in the audience to witness Pet Shop Boys pick up the award and perform a celebratory set. Get your tickets here now.
The VO5 NME Awards take place on February 15 at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens will host the ceremony.