Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have kept a, ahem, low profile since the release of 2012's "Elysium" album, with only a brief appearance this week (Thursday 6th Dec, to be exact) with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Johnny Marr as part of Radio 2's 'In Concert Live' series.

But 2013 looks like being a return to routine of sorts - Pet Shop Boys have revealed two huge arena shows for next summer, including London's O2 Arena on 18th June and the Manchester Arena on the 20th. There are likely to be more shows announced in due course but, for now, you will have to head back here at 9am on Saturday 8th December to grab your tickets.

The pioneering partnership of Tennant and Lowe has produced some of the most innovative pop-music of the last thirty years. Their debut-single "West End Girls" remains something of a synth-pop landmark, while other massive hits read like a time-capsule contents list - "It's a Sin", "Heart" and "Always on My Mind" equalled their debut by taking residence at #1 and albums such as "Actually", "Very" and "Yes" have continued to encapsulate the pair's attitude with big songs and lavish stage shows.

Pet Shop Boys latest album will spawn another single - due for release on New Year's Eve, "Memory of the Future" heralds the start of a year that will also see the twosome perform at Sónar Festival 2013 on 15th June alongside other headliners Kraftwerk - it doesn't get much better than that! Tickets to Sonar are available now from us for £130.