THE Pet Shop Boys brought the first night of music at this year's Latitude to a climax with a striking stage show and hits spanning their long career.

Jonathan Barnes

THE Pet Shop Boys brought the first night of music at this year's Latitude to a climax with a striking stage show and hits spanning their long career.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe appeared on stage on the Obelisk Arena wearing giant orange cubes on their head for the opener, Heart.

Tennant may have got rid of his headcube after the first number, but some of their dancers were not so lucky - and others even appeared dressed as prancing sky-scrapers later in the set. The garish stage show featured an array of graphics and strobing and two giant walls made out of huge blocks behind the duo which were felled midway through and re-arranged as the performance went on.

The duo played a mix of old and new material, with the crowd showing their appreciation for classic tunes such as Go West, Always On My Mind and It's a Sin. They also performed an electronic cover of Coldplay's Viva La Vida before finishing with a stunning rendition of West End Girls.

Earlier in the evening, The Pretenders had got the crowd moving to their best-known songs, Don't Get Me Wrong and Brass in Pocket and created a mass singalong to I'll Stand By You.

British pop legends Squeeze also played a stunning set to a huge crowd in the Uncut Arena, performing hits such as Up the Junction and Tempted.