Chris Lowe

Acting

Chris Lowe

Born 1959-10-04 · Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK

Christopher Sean Lowe (born 4 October 1959) is an English musician, singer and songwriter, and co-founder of the synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, which he formed with Neil Tennant in 1981. Christopher Sean Lowe was born and raised in Blackpool, Lancashire, and attended Arnold School. His grandfather was a trombonist and a member of the comedy jazz troupe The Nitwits. His mother was a dancer, and his father, a sales representative, could play piano by ear. Lowe learned trombone and piano and was in the school orchestra and dance band. He studied music as an A-level subject. Lowe played trombone in a semi-professional seven-piece dance band named One Under the Eight that performed favourites like "Hello Dolly", "La Bamba" and "Moon River", and he joined the Musicians' Union with them. He was also in a local brass band, the Norman Memorial Youth Band, and briefly played keyboards with a school rock band called Stallion. Lowe began studying architecture at the University of Liverpool in 1978 and earned a BA (Hons) in 1981. During a work placement in 1981 at a London architectural practice, he designed a staircase for an industrial estate in Milton Keynes. It was at this time that he met Neil Tennant in Chelsea Record Centre, a hi-fi shop on King's Road in London. As their music career developed, Lowe continued his architecture course and got a B.Arch, but did not complete the final work requirement to qualify as an architect before he and Tennant committed full time to the Pet Shop Boys in 1985. Lowe generally performs as the Pet Shop Boys' keyboardist. He occasionally provides spoken-word or sung vocals and takes the lead on a few songs, including "Paninaro". Lowe played trombone on the song "I Want a Lover", and he appeared with his trombone in the video for the song "What Have I Done to Deserve This?". In 1993, he wrote and produced the track "Do the Right Thing" for Arsenal footballer Ian Wright. The song featured backing vocals by long-time Pet Shop Boys backing singer Sylvia Mason-James, and the single featured remixes by Rollo. Two years later, Lowe had a cameo in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. His appearance was filmed while Pet Shop Boys were touring Australia in 1994. In 2004, he was commissioned to do music for an advertisement for the sunscreen brand Blockhead. The song ended up in a remixed version on a "Café Mambo" compilation. Lowe wrote the music for the song "Streets of Berlin", featured in the 2006 revival of Bent at the Trafalgar Studios in Whitehall. In 2011, Lowe appeared as featured vocalist on Stop Modernists' cover version of the New Order song "Subculture". It was the first time he had appeared as a vocalist on a non-Pet Shop Boys project. ... Source: Article "Chris Lowe" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.

Acting credits

My Best Friend's Wedding poster
6.6

When she receives word that her longtime platonic pal Michael O'Neal is getting married to debutante Kimberly Wallace, food critic Julianne Potter realizes her true feelings for Michael -- and sets out to sabotage the wedding.

My Best Friend's Wedding

1997

Live 8 poster
7.4

On 2 July 2005 an estimated 3 billion people came together in the fight against extreme poverty. LIVE 8 - 10 concerts featuring over 1000 musicians from across the globe - asked people not for their money, but for their voice.

Live 8

2005

The World According to Allee Willis poster
NR

Take one look at award-winning songwriter / artist Allee Willis and you see someone unafraid to be themselves. Dressed in a cacophony of prints and colors, her signature asymmetrical haircut and famed parties at her real-life Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, Allee didn’t waste any opportunity to tell you what she was about. But privately, Allee struggled with not fitting established gender and sexual norms. She buried herself in her work, until true love manifested her ultimate masterpiece - self-acceptance.

The World According to Allee Willis

2024

Synth Britannia poster
7.9

Documentary following a generation of post-punk musicians who took the synthesiser from the experimental fringes to the centre of the pop stage.

Synth Britannia

2009

London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music poster
6.9

The closing ceremony of the games of the XXXth Olympiad.

London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music

2012

It Couldn't Happen Here poster
5.8

Pet Shop Boys Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant embark upon a journey across England - but which England? Is it the half-remembered England of their childhoods, or the brutal reality of Mrs Thatcher's late-eighties England? Along the way they come across many familiar (and sinister) faces. The movie also features some of the Pet Shop Boys' most popular records.

It Couldn't Happen Here

1988

60 Songs: BBC Two at 60 poster
9.0

A celebration of some of the biggest names in music, offering an epic compilation of 60 songs performed over the past 60 years to celebrate BBC Two's diamond anniversary. All the performances featured originated on BBC Two and have formed an important part of the channel's output over its 60-year history. Featuring such musicians as Joni Mitchell, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, Stormzy, Sam Smith, Kylie Minogue, Bob Marley, Blondie and Queen.

60 Songs: BBC Two at 60

2024

Imagine… Pet Shop Boys: Then and Now poster
8.3

Featuring exclusive access to their recent tour and their new album, this documentary reveals the fascinating world of Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.

Imagine… Pet Shop Boys: Then and Now

2024

Pet Shop Boys: A New Bohemia poster
9.0

Following the release of All of Us Strangers, acclaimed British filmmaker Andrew Haigh shoots Tracey Emin and Russell Tovey alongside the Pet Shop Boys in the music video for new single A New Bohemia, taken from their latest album Nonetheless – released on Parlophone, and premiering exclusively on NOWNESS. Discussing the project, Andrew Haigh said, “I have loved the Pet Shop Boys since the release of Please. I have every album and have seen them play live many times over the years. Getting to make a music video with them has been a dream come true.” “We had a lovely sunny day in Margate filming this video with Andrew Haigh, fresh from his success with All of Us Strangers," Pet Shop Boys shared. "Thanks to Andrew and all concerned, in particular the many local residents who took part, including Russell Tovey and Tracey Emin.”

Pet Shop Boys: A New Bohemia

2024

The Big New Years & Years Eve Party with Kylie and Pet Shop Boys poster
9.5

Years & Years singer Olly Alexander throws a spectacular New Year's Eve party as we build up to the midnight moment. Olly performs many of his hits and some surprise cover songs as well as duetting with pop superstar Kylie Minogue and the legendary Pet Shop Boys.

The Big New Years & Years Eve Party with Kylie and Pet Shop Boys

2021

Projections poster
8.5

The innovative and influential British filmmaker Derek Jarman was invited to direct the Pet Shop Boys' 1989 tour. This film is a series of iconoclastic images he created for the background projections. Stunning, specially shot sequences (featuring actors, the Pet Shop Boys, and friends of Jarman) contrast with documentary montages of nature, all skillfully edited to music tracks.

Projections

1993

Pet Shop Boys: Discovery (Live in Rio) poster
8.5

Pet Shop Boys perform many of their biggest hits from West End Girls to Go West, with dancers and films before a wildly enthusiastic Brazilian audience. Playlist : 1. Tonight Is Forever | 2. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing | 3. Always On My Mind | 4. Domino Dancing | 5. To Speak Is A Sin | 6. One In A Million/Mr Vain | 7. Paninaro | 8. Rent | 9. Suburbia | 10. King's Cross | 11. So Hard | 12. Left To My Own Devices/Rhythm Of The Night | 13. Absolutely Fabulous | 14. Liberation | 15. West End Girls | 16. Can You Forgive Her? | 17. Girls And Boys | 18. It's A Sin/I Will Survive | 19. Go West | 20. Go West (Reprise) | 21. Being Boring

Pet Shop Boys: Discovery (Live in Rio)

1995

An Audience with Elton John poster
9.0

Elton John entertains a celebrity studio audience, answering questions and singing songs with his guests.

An Audience with Elton John

1997

How to Be Absolutely Fabulous poster
7.0

Jennifer Saunders hosts a party of AbFab outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage.

How to Be Absolutely Fabulous

1995

Pet Shop Boys: Somewhere poster
9.0

Documentary and live concert from the Savoy Theatre London, June 1997. Tracklist: The Dress Rehearsal - Opening Night - Yesterday, When I Was Mad - The Truck Driver And His Mate - Se A Vida É - Hallo Spaceboy - To Step Aside - Go West - The Theatre - It's A Sin / I Will Survive - Discoteca - Can You Forgive Her? - Somewhere - Rent - Being Boring - Left To My Own Devices

Pet Shop Boys: Somewhere

1997

Pet Shop Boys: Montage - The Nightlife Tour poster
8.8

Footage recorded live in Dortmund, Germany on their 1999/2000 Nightlife Tour.

Pet Shop Boys: Montage - The Nightlife Tour

2001

Pet Shop Boys Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live at the Royal Arena Copenhagen poster
7.4

Formed in London in 1981 and consisting of primary vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe, English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, and have been cited as one of the most successful duos in UK music history. Captured live at Copenhagen’s Royal Arena, the exhilarating performance features a lavish stage show, full back-up band and mesmerizing visual backdrops, in front of an exuberant, sold-out audience. This brand-new concert film includes all of PSB's greatest hits including 'West End Girls', 'Suburbia', 'Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)', 'Always on My Mind', 'What Have I Done to Deserve This?' and 'It’s a Sin'.

Pet Shop Boys Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live at the Royal Arena Copenhagen

2024

Pet Shop Boys: Inner Sanctum 2018 poster
9.3

The iconic duo's acclaimed production, first presented at the Royal Opera House in 2016 over four sold-out shows, was reprised at the venue for a further four nights in July 2018 as part of their 'Super' tour. Staged by long-term PSB designer Es Devlin and choreographer/director Lynne Page, the show was filmed by director David Barnard.

Pet Shop Boys: Inner Sanctum 2018

2019

Electronic Beats Festival Berlin 2012 - Pet Shop Boys poster
9.0

Electronic Beats presents a very special short performance by Pet Shop Boys live in Berlin. The British pop duo will play a selection of songs from their new album Elysium on 5 September, 2012, the first time songs from the album will have been played live. The 30 minute show is to be held in the small and exclusive environs of Hebbel am Ufer(HAU1), Berlin, Germany. Pet Shop Boys have especially selected the Hebbel am Ufer because of the theatre’s reputation as one of the most innovative event locations in Berlin for young, international and experimental art.

Electronic Beats Festival Berlin 2012 - Pet Shop Boys

2012

Pet Shop Boys: Performance poster
7.6

British pop duo Pet Shop Boys captured on film 1-3 June 1991 at Birmingham NEC on their Performance tour. This film, by Eric Watson, features the live show and footage filmed backstage. Digitally remastered and visually restored in 2004. Setlist: 01. This Must Be The Place I've Waited Years To Leave; 02. It's A Sin; 03. Losing My Mind; 04. What Have I Done To Deserve This?; 05. My October Symphony; 06. I'm Not Scared; 07. We All Feel Better In The Dark; 08. So Sorry, I Said ; 09. Suburbia; 10. So Hard; 11. Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money); 12. How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?; 13. Rent; 14. Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You); 15. West End Girls; 16. Jealousy; 17. Always On My Mind; 18. Your Funny Uncle

Pet Shop Boys: Performance

1991

Pet Shop Boys: Pop Art - The Videos poster
8.7

Back at the start of the 1980s, pop music was becoming as much about fashion as it was about the music itself (indeed, in some cases the fashion was so loud it drowned out the tune). Fighting his way through the melee of makeup and mascara was one Neil Tennant, reviewer of singles for UK teen music mag Smash Hits. By the time he left that job to devote himself full-time to the electronic dance duo he’d been pottering around with since 1981, Tennant would have seen and heard the best and worst of what pop music had to offer. No surprise then that the band he formed with keyboardist and programmer Chris Lowe, Pet Shop Boys, would turn out to be unlike any other outfit in English pop history.

Pet Shop Boys: Pop Art - The Videos

2004

No artwork available
NR

The Pet Shop Boys performed at Primavera Sound in São Paulo on December 2, 2023. The event was part of the Primavera Sound 2023 festival series, and the performance took place at an unspecified venue in São Paulo.

Pet Shop Boys: Live @ Primavera Sound 2023

2023

Pet Shop Boys: Electric poster
NR

The Electric Tour was English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys' 2013–2015 world tour in support of their two albums, Elysium (2012) and Electric (2013).

Pet Shop Boys: Electric

2014

Pet Shop Boys at the BBC poster
6.0

A look back at one of British music’s most enduring and significant partnerships, Pet Shop Boys, with highlights from Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe’s many appearances on the BBC that demonstrate their dedication to both style and substance.

Pet Shop Boys at the BBC

2023

Behind the camera