BBC Radio 2 Piano Room Season 5, Episode 20: Pet Shop Boys

Bruce Hornsby

Radio 2's Piano Room Month returns for 2024 as Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and pianist Bruce Hornsby performs live at the BBC's Maida Vale studios with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Still best known for his '80s classics, The Way It Is, Mandolin Rain and Every Little Kiss, Bruce has sold 11 million albums in a career that now stretches over four decades, picking up three Grammy Awards along the way. Initially known for his work with his band The Range, he's also collaborated with an amazing array of artists including Clannad, Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt and Wayne Shorter, written a Number 1 hit for Huey Lewis (Jacob's Ladder), explored bluegrass with Ricky Skaggs, and toured extensively with The Grateful Dead. In March, Bruce will release his latest album, Deep Sea Vents, under the name BrhyM. His Piano Room set features The Way It Is, Cast Off and his take on The End of the Innocence, co-written with and a hit for Don Henley.

11 min

Beverley Knight

British soul legend Beverley Knight performs live at Maida Vale with BBC Concert Orchestra. In a star-studded career spanning nearly three decades, Beverley - once nicknamed 'Little Aretha' - has released 9 albums and has become synonymous with songs such as Everything's Gonna Be Alright, Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Greatest Day. In September 2023, she released her latest album, The Fifth Chapter, undertook her biggest UK tour to date and appeared in Leicester as part of the all-star bill at Radio 2 In The Park. 2024 is already proving to be just as busy as she prepares to headline at The Royal Albert Hall in September. Beverley's Piano Room set features Come As You Are, Not Prepared For You (from The Fifth Chapter) and her take on Radiohead's Just.

20 min

The Libertines

The Libertines, about to release their first album in 9 years, perform live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. It's now more than 20 years since the band first achieved critical and commercial success and gained a dedicated cult following. But despite some very long gaps in their activities, interest in The Libertines has never waned, and now Carl Barât, Pete Doherty, John Hassall and Gary Powell have returned with All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade, recorded in Port Antonio, Jamaica and Margate, Kent. The Libertines Piano Room set features Don't Look Back Into The Sun, Shiver from the new album and their take on Arthur Lee and Love's 1967 classic, Alone Again Or.

11 min

P.P. Arnold

Soul legend P.P. Arnold performs live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Her professional career began as an 'Ikette' with The Ike & Tina Turner Revue in the mid 1960s before becoming a solo artist when she moved to the UK and enjoyed hits with The First Cut Is The Deepest and Angel Of The Morning. Since then, she's collaborated with everyone from Mick Jagger to The KLF to Barry Gibb and enjoyed a rich and varied career that's included performing on the West End stage and writing an acclaimed autobiography. P.P.'s Piano Room set features The First Cut Is The Deepest, Soul Survivor and her take on Miley Cyrus' Flowers.

11 min

Gabrielle

Gabrielle is the latest star performing live at Maida Vale for Radio 2's Piano Room Month. Having celebrated the 30th anniversary of her breakthrough hit Dreams last year, Gabrielle has proven to be one of the UK's most enduring and popular singers with her 8th studio album, A Place In Your Heart, due for release in May. Gabrielle will be appearing all over the UK in concert throughout this year, including 4 dates with Sir Tom Jones. Her Piano Room set features Out Of Reach, her self-penned classic written for Bridget Jones's Diary, the title track from her new album, A Place In Your Heart, and Lionel Richie's Stuck On You.

11 min

Tony Hadley

Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley performs alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale. With Tony's unmistakable voice driving them, Spandau Ballet were one of the most successful pop acts of the 1980s clocking up 23 hit singles, including songs that defined that era such as Gold and True. As a solo performer Tony has continued to enjoy huge success, and in March he will be performing throughout the UK on his Big Swing Tour, featuring classics from the Great American Songbook alongside reworkings of his own music. Tony's Piano Room set features the Spandau Ballet favourite, Through The Barricades, Walk Of Shame and his own take on Lana Del Rey's Young And Beautiful.

11 min

Olivia Dean

BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year 2023, Olivia Dean performs for Radio 2's Piano Room from Maida Vale studios, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Inspired by the likes of Carole King, Amy Winehouse and The Supremes, Olivia has come a long way since she joined Rudimental as a backing vocalist in 2017. Two years later, she secured her first solo contract with EMI, which led to the 2023 release of Messy, her Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut album. Olivia will be touring the UK and Europe throughout the summer of 2024. Her Piano Room set features two of her own compositions, Dive and Dangerously Easy, performed alongside a cover version of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne.

11 min

Johnny Marr

Rock icon, guitarist, singer and songwriter Johnny Marr, best known as a member of The Smiths, The Pretenders and The The, performs live at Maida Vale accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Born in Manchester, Johnny formed his first band at the age of 13. He was part of several bands with Andy Rourke before forming the Smiths with Morrissey in 1982. The Smiths quickly found commercial success and critical acclaim, with Johnny's jangle guitar style becoming a distinctive part of the band's sound. Since the Smiths split in 1987, Johnny Marr has been a member of the Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse, and the Cribs, and has become a sought after guest performer, working with Kirsty MacColl, The Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Bryan Ferry and Hans Zimmer. Johnny's Piano Room set features his own compositions, Easy Money and Somewhere, performed alongside his version of Iggy Pop's classic, The Passenger.

11 min

Shaznay Lewis

All Saints founding member, singer and songwriter, Shaznay Lewis performs a solo set for Radio 2’s Piano Room live from Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. From co-writing songs including the Number 1 hit Bootie Call, Pure Shores and Never Ever with All Saints, Shaznay launched her solo career in 2004 with her debut album, Open. Since then she has continued to combine her own activities alongside her work with All Saints. In May of 2024 Shaznay will release her second solo album, Pages, featuring collaborations with Self Esteem and Shola Ama. Her Radio 2 Piano Room set features the All Saints favourite Pure Shores, Kiss of Life from her forthcoming album, and her take on the the Gwen Stefani-penned hit for No Doubt, Don't Speak.

11 min

Rick Astley

Fresh from his success welcoming in 2024 for millions of TV viewers on BBC One’s Rick Astley Rocks New Year’s Eve, Rick is Vernon Kay's latest guest in the Radio 2 Piano Room, performing live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Rick's Piano Room set features Never Gonna Give You Up, his latest single Driving Me Crazy, and his reworking of Olivia Rodrigo's modern-day classic, drivers license.

11 min

Texas

Texas perform live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra in the Radio 2 Piano Room. First formed in Glasgow back in 1986, the band fronted by singer Sharleen Spiteri, along with bass guitarist Johnny McElhone and guitarist Ally McErlaine, have continued to enjoy success after success in every decade since. Their songs have gone on to be regarded as modern-day classics with a list that includes I Don't Want A Lover, Say What You Want, Black Eyed Boy, Inner Smile and Summer Son. Their Piano Room set features Halo, Keep On Talking and their take on the Charles & Eddie soul favourite, Would I Lie To You?

11 min

Jalen Ngonda

Liverpool-based US soul singer Jalen Ngonda performs live for Radio 2's Piano Room Month with a sound and style that evokes the golden age of soul. Jalen recently released his highly rated debut album, Come Around and Love Me for the Daptone label, a decade after first arriving in the UK to study at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. His Piano Room set includes his own compositions If You Don't Want My Love, Illusions and the Beach Boys classic, Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder).

11 min

Lisa Stansfield

Lisa Stansfield performs live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Lisa first grabbed everyone's attention in 1989 with her soulful and soaring vocal performance on Coldcut's dancefloor filler, People Hold On. This would provide the perfect launchpad for her own stellar solo career. In the following decade, she made hit after hit with a list of titles that included All Around The World, In All The Right Places, The Real Thing, This Is The Right Time and Someday (I'm Coming Back). In recent years, she has continued to make albums and tour as well as taking on a number of acting roles. Lisa's Piano Room set features her all-time favourite, Change, one of her latest songs, My Man, and the Lou Rawls classic, You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.

11 min

Crowded House

Crowded House perform live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Founded in 1985 by New Zealand guitarist, singer and songwriter Neil Finn after his departure from the Australian band Split Enz, Crowded House quickly found international success with songs including Don't Dream It's Over, Something So Strong and World Where You Live. Despite various line up changes and breaks to pursue other projects over the past 3 decades, Crowded House remains hugely popular with its audiences around the world. In May their 8th studio album, Gravity Stairs is due for release, before they perform a series of concerts throughout the UK this summer. Their Piano Room set features the classic Four Seasons In One Day, Oh Hi from their forthcoming album and a new take on Tony Hatch's Downtown, a massive hit for Petula Clark and a song which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

11 min

Jess Glynne

Jess Glynne performs live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Singer-songwriter Jess first made her mark as guest vocalist for other artists from 2013 onwards, including My Love with Route 94 and the Grammy winning Rather Be with Clean Bandit. By 2015, she had well and truly arrived as a solo artist with the release of her debut album, I Cry When I Laugh. This year, she will be releasing her 3rd album, Jess, and appearing at festivals throughout the UK during the summer. Her Piano Room set features Don't Be So Hard On Yourself, Enough - her latest single and a cover of Fleetwood Mac's Everywhere.

11 min

Paloma Faith

Paloma Faith performs live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. She's just released her 6th studio album, The Glorification of Sadness, and it's now 15 years since her double platinum debut, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? first appeared in 2009, containing hits including Stone Cold Sober, New York and Upside Down. Paloma will also be touring the UK throughout April and May. Her Piano Room set features her biggest hit to date, Only Love Can Hurt Like This, Sweatpants, taken from her new album, and Tracy Chapman's Talkin' Bout a Revolution.

11 min

Delta Goodrem

Delta Goodrem performs live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra and special guest Gary Barlow. Delta sprang to fame back in 2002 when she first appeared as aspiring singer Nina Tucker on the hit TV soap Neighbours in her native Australia. This also provided the perfect launchpad for her music career which really took off with the release of her 2nd album, Mistaken Identity, in 2004. Since then she has gone on to enjoy international success over the past 20 years as a singer, songwriter and pianist. Her Piano Room set features her biggest hit to date, Lost Without You, her latest single, Hearts On The Run and a special version of Take That's Rule The World, performed in collaboration with Gary Barlow.

11 min

Elbow

Elbow perform live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. The BRIT and Mercury Award-winning, arena-filling, Mancunian musical institution have been busy in the studio of late, working on the completion of their keenly anticipated 10th studio album, Audio Vertigo. 23 years on from the release of their debut, Asleep In The Back, creativity remains Elbow's watchword. Their Piano Room set finds them reunited with the BBC Concert Orchestra, a pairing that first brought us their memorable Abbey Road performance of The Seldom Seen Kid in 2009, and described by the band's lead singer Guy Garvey as their all-time favourite concert. Featuring Magnificent (She Says), Lovers' Leap from their new album Audio Vertigo and their take on John Barry and Hal David's James Bond theme, We Have All The Time In The World, immortalised by Louis Armstrong.

11 min

Rod Stewart with Jools Holland

Rod Stewart performs live at Maida Vale with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Their new album, Swing Fever, is a salute to the timeless standards of the big band era, reignited for today's audiences. For the first time, Britain's new partners in swing have teamed up to share their artistry on such songs as Ain't Misbehavin, Frankie And Johnny, Sentimental Journey and Lullaby Of Broadway, recorded at Jools' own studio in Greenwich. Their Piano Room set features 2 songs from the album, Almost Like Being In Love and Them There Eyes, as well as the Van Morrison ballad that became a worldwide hit for Rod in 1993, Have I Told You Lately.

11 min

Anastacia

Anastacia performs live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Frequently dubbed 'the little lady with the big voice', it's now 25 years since Anastacia sprang to worldwide stardom with her debut album, Not That Kind. She followed this up with further triumphs including Anastacia (2004) and Heavy Rotation (2008). More recently she's been back with her hugely successful 'I'm Outta Lockdown' European tour and the release of her latest album, Our Songs. This finds her exploring some of the biggest hits to emerge from Germany over the past 40 years, reimagined with her own English lyrics. Anastacia's Piano Room set features Left Outside Alone, Now Or Never from Our Songs and her take on Whitesnake's rock classic, Here I Go Again.