TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle welcomed a euphoric pop spectacle last night, as the PET SHOP BOYS brought their DREAMWORLD – The Greatest Hits Live tour to the iconic Welsh venue. Underneath the towering stone walls of the historic castle, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe delivered a dazzling masterclass in synth-pop, reminding a sold-out crowd exactly why they remain the most successful pop duo in UK music history.
From the moment they stepped on stage, the energy was electric. The evening began with the rousing thump of Suburbia, setting the tone for what was to be an unstoppable two-hour celebration of some of the greatest pop songs ever recorded. Without pause, the duo slid seamlessly into Can You Forgive Her? and Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money) — a trio of opening tracks that proved they weren’t easing in gently.
Backed by eye-popping visuals, strobing lights, and pitch-perfect sound, Neil Tennant’s vocals were as commanding as ever, while Chris Lowe’s enigmatic presence behind the keyboards added just the right level of cool detachment. Across nearly 30 songs, the setlist was a dream for longtime fans and casual listeners alike. From the layered melancholy of Rent to the carnival rhythms of Se a Vida é, each track landed with precision and purpose.
The crowd roared for Domino Dancing and sang every word to It’s A Sin, while New York City Boy transformed the castle grounds into a full-on disco. Even the cover of Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You) was a reminder of the duo’s knack for reimagining other artists’ work and making it unmistakably their own.
Moments of emotional poignancy came with Jealousy and Being Boring, while euphoric highs were reached with Left To My Own Devices, Heart, and a storming Always On My Mind that had arms in the air and feet off the ground.
Between songs, Chris was warm and charming, telling the crowd……
“Cardiff, you’ve been amazing. Thank you for being such a wonderful audience tonight under your beautiful castle. Look at it, it’s gorgeous.”
That moment of connection was met with cheers and applause, cementing the night as something truly special.
The encore left nothing behind. West End Girls, their breakthrough hit, sounded as vital as it did in 1984, while the closing Being Boring reminded everyone of the depth behind the glitter – a reflective, elegant goodbye to a show that was anything but boring.
Before the main event, legendary Radio 1 Dance Anthems host DAVE PEARCE set the tone with a nostalgia-laced, high-energy DJ set that had early arrivals dancing long before the sun dipped behind the castle walls.
In a summer filled with big concerts, this was more than just another greatest hits tour, it was a euphoric celebration of timeless pop brilliance, perfectly framed by one of Wales’ most breathtaking venues.
Next up at Cardiff Castle are….
- FAITHLESS – TONIGHT (FRIDAY1st AUG)
- TOM JONES – (WEDNESDAY 20th AUG)
- TOM JONES – (THURSDAY 21st AUG)
- BASEMENT JAX – (SUNDAY 24th AUG)
- WILL SMITH – (MONDAY 25th AUG)
For details and the last few remaining tickets, go HERE.
