Swine Flu Infects Pet Shop Boys Ukraine Shows

11/09/09 1:12pm

by Jason MacNeil (CHARTattack)

Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe might be asking themselves today what they did to deserve this.

The band were slated to play in the Ukraine later this month but the Ukrainian government has cancelled the shows because of H1N1, a.k.a. swine flu.

"The Ukrainian government has taken measures to combat the spread of swine flu and closed all schools and cinemas, banned large gatherings, sports events and concerts," a post on the band's website reads. "As a result, we regret that Pet Shop Boys concerts in Odessa and Kiev on November 24th and 25th have been cancelled. The promoter hopes that the shows can be rescheduled for next year."

Eighty-six people have recently died from flu and respiratory infections in the Ukraine, and many people believe H1N1 is the culprit, according to Agence France Presse. Over half a million swine flu cases have been reported in the Ukraine since mid-October.

In related news, Pet Shop Boys will release a five-song EP entitled Christmas on Dec. 14. The EP contains new versions of "It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas" and "All Over The World." Other songs include a cover and remix of the Madness track "My Girl" and Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" in "Viva La Vida/Domino Dancing."

The EP will be released physically on CD through Parlophone Records and will also be available as a digital download.

In related news, Pet Shop Boys — who will mount a European tour later this month — scored their eighth #1 on the Billboard Dance chart with "Did You See Me Coming?"