Anyone who lived through the 1980s remembers the first time they saw Boy George.
With his striking green eyes, dramatically bold makeup and colourful long plaits, many had no idea what to make of this whimsical new star they were seeing splashed across their TV screens.
While I was born too late for that era, my mum recalled how she – along many other Aussie kids – was first introduced to him through Molly Meldrum’s music show Countdown, and was instantly transfixed.
It is easy to fall in love with Boy George, not only for his band Culture Club’s iconic, unique sound but for his charming, gentle, intelligent and softly-spoken demeanour.
His presence back then was a total breath of fresh air, and while their confused boomer parents may have been left scratching their heads at his androgynous appearance, the wild Gen X’s were mesmerised.
Boy George and Culture Club are true living legends of the 1980s, and their cult-like following continues to live on today.
The new wave band formed in London back in 1981, and comprised of Boy George, now 62, on lead vocals, Roy Hay, also 62, on guitar and keyboards and Mikey Craig, now 63 on the bass guitar.
The group formerly included Jon Moss on drums and percussion.
Culture Club has been selling out arenas since the 1980s, with their debut album “Kissing To Be Clever” selling over 50 million copies worldwide, including Top 10 hits Karma Chameleon (1983), Do You Really Want To Hurt Me (1982) and Time (Clock of the Heart) (1982).
Their second album“Colour By Numbers” sold over 10 million copies and shot to triple platinum in the UK and quadruple platinum in the US, and currently sits at number 96 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of the 80s.
Boy George and Culture Club’s popularity continues to soar, and the band has been performing at sold out shows around the globe in recent times.
Not only do their tunes pull at the nostalgic heart strings of their loyal fans, but they have attracted new audiences over time thanks to their iconic sound.
For Aussie audiences, this is in part thanks to Boy George appearing as one of the coaches on The VoiceAustralia back in 2017.
Culture Club in Sydney: 8th September, 2023
Making my way into Sydney’s impressive Super Aware Theatre on Friday night, I was not too sure what to expect.
As a 90s baby, I have to admit that I was prepared to be one of the youngest fans in the audience.
To my total surprise however, the auditorium was packed with people of all ages, from excited 10-year-olds donning Boy George-esque top hats, to near 80-year-old fans proudly wearing Culture Club shirts paired with some of the most sparkly pants I’d ever seen.
This was not what I had expected, and it was wonderful to see.
I could feel an excited, happy and relaxed energy wafting through the air, and everyone I came across appeared to be genuinely over the moon just to be there.
I was enamoured to see dedicated Boy George lookalikes as far as the eye could see, going all out for the occasion by dressing up as their idol in black hats and coloured plaits, along with white shirts, black vests, and anything glittery and sequined.
The band have been touring across the USA before coming back down under, performing in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.
They were joined by beloved 80s band Berlin, who are said to be the American progenitor of electro-pop artistry, known best by their hit single Take My Breath Away (1986).
Lead singer Terri Nunn, with her iconic platinum locks and killer outfits, looked and sounded as beautiful as ever at 62, and left the crowd hyped after Berlin’s energetic performance.
Then, after a short break, it was Culture Club time.
Boy George’s cheeky Waleed quip
The band busted out first with a cover of the Rolling Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil, before Boy George cheekily uttered that “I wasn’t lying when I said when I grow up I wanna be Mick Jagger”, referencing his awkward encounter with The Project’s Waleed.
Leaving the crowd in a fit of laughter, everyone was on their feet for the first two songs, Miracle and I’ll Tumble For Ya.
On Thursday night, Boy George popped up as an unlikely panellist on the show, where he appeared to be rudely snubbed by host Waleed Aly.
The musician joined host Sarah Harris, Hamish Macdonald and Sam Taunton on the Channel 10 show to promote Culture Club’s Australian tour, while Aly was notably missing.
About halfway into the program, Aly called in from London to explain why he was “MIA” for George’s big cameo.
The host said he was on assignment to cover The Rolling Stone’s major announcement of their first studio album in 18 years, titled Hackney Diamonds, which they unveiled to much fanfare at an event in London’s East End.
Aly scored “dream” interviews with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, telling Boy George, “Frankly, I ditched you guys because I got a better offer”.
The comment was met with gasps from the panellists, with the musician appearing slightly stunned.
Aly doubled down, saying, “I think you would agree it’s a better offer. It’s a better offer than most offers”.
But Boy George quickly salvaged the awkward scenes, quipping: “I absolutely want to be Mick Jagger when I grow up, who doesn’t?”
Second home
Boy George and Culture Club’s love of Australia was made evident Friday night.
“I haven’t been in Australia since I went screaming back to the UK, just before the pandemic hit,” Boy George told the audience.
“It’s good to be back here, it’s my second home in a way.”
The band delighted fans through other hit songs, including Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, Time (Clock Of The Heart) and Miss Me.
“I feel like I’m 17, you know,” he said midway through, with that infectious wide smile spread across his face.
“These days, I try not to get wound up about things.”
Making their way off stage, the captivated crowed were left wanting more, with desperate shouts of “Encore” echoing throughout the theatre.
The band returned to a roar of applause, ending with a cover of T-Rex’s Get It On and Karma Chameleon.
Boy George and Culture Club are still as talented and passionate as they were 40 years ago.
I left the concert on a total high, feeling absolutely buzzed by what I can only describe as a giant 80s party.
Make sure to check out Culture Club on the final two dates of their Australian tour, hosted by TEG Live, playing Monday the 11th September at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Thursday the 14th of September at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
-With Lexie Cartwright