Live Review: Boy George and Culture Club
Greatest Hits Tour at the RAC Arena Perth on 5 August 2023
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
It has been more than forty years since a foursome from London emerged from the New Romantic scene, leading the charge in pioneering the sonic gloss, colours and hypnotic flamboyance through a series of shock and awe invasion across the air waves, and (to some) chillingly paving a domino effect though a cross-culture phenomenon. The diversity matrix that is fittingly known as Culture Club epitomised a visionary propagation, setting the musical trajectory through their unique sounds and thought-provoking lyrics, catalysed by the lead singer’s androgenous persona. As controversial as it might have been to some parochial individuals, their stylistics heavily influenced the quintessential bands of the 80’s, subsequently redefining a subculture within the generation.
50 million albums later, Culture Club, led by Boy George, are invading our shores again, sweeping with their British New Wave with American soul and pop into our hearts, with a splash of reggae, salsa and calypso. For the fans who lived through the early 80’s, Culture Club is not just about Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want To Hurt Me – afterall the numbers don’t lie; ten of their singles from the second album reached the Top 40 charts in America.
It wasn’t just a night of rekindling our childhood and nostalgic realms – given half of the crowd weren’t even born at the height of Culture Club, but also a night of glitzy and ritzy entertainment with a touch of Kingston Town, New Orleans and London – and unsurprisingly, the band delivered with a sonic and visual spectacular of pure, raw performance and on stage revelry, without the temptation of utilising pyros and props that could overshadow the artistry elements. Instead, the stage was equally spread with the conviviality carved by musicians. And the opening act brewed within the same concept.
80’s group BERLIN sparked the night with forty-five minutes of end-to-end rock zest. To this writer’s surprise, the band traverse beyond the genre and soundtrack that lit the imagery of the no nonsense instructor Charlie Blackwood succumbing to Maverick’s incredibly good looks. Terri Nunn, lead vocalist is still a world class vocalist who sounds better live, as she reached the vocal stratosphere like a metal practitioner. Berlin may be known as a new wave and synth pop group, evolving some “forty seven years ago”, yet for some, tonight would’ve been the first time they’ve witnessed this angle of BERLIN; a rock outfit composed of hair weaving spectacle, which seems incongruous to Take My Breath Away – that was performed flawlessly, with memories of the one high school crush and requited first love cut opened.
“I would like to dedicate this song to Australia.”
The biggest cheers was reserved for AC/DC Highway to Hell. She stepped away from the stage and slithered through the aisle, with the round trip ending with her standing on the crowd barrier and leaning forward, blasting the track like a typical world class rockstar.
“All rules are thrown out of the window”, said Boy George referencing that performance.
When we think of female rockstars – the likes of Ann Wilson slipped into our minds – but through unanimous decision by the crowd, Terri Nunn is engraved into this elite group of rock chicks.
So, at exactly zero past the hour, Boy George, Mikey Craig and Roy Hay, aka Culture Club graced the stage. It’s a Miracle was performed early in the setlist, which was fitting to the nuances given a moment when Culture Club almost gave up in 1982, as Boy George reflected “too slow, too personal, too boring” about a song – more of that later. The subject of intricacies of self-identity, love and self-discovery within this track was projected through a breezy mood, thus the opening number that’s felt despite of life’s unplanned journey for the singer. After forty years, it was heart-warming to witness that the culture clubbers invited themselves to celebrate the life and songs of Boy George and Culture Club. Within those three minutes, the benchmark was set; Boy George is still Red Gold and Green, suave, and expelling that caramelised delight, smooth FM beat and reggae voice. That thing he has, the je ne sais quio is still intact after 40 years. As the involuntary spasm kicked, everyone was on their feet, and the seats got colder as the minute ticked.
It wasn’t easy to sit still for the baby boomers and the millennials, and surprisingly, a large chunk were of the younger age category from all genders. The reggae beat, the soul and the eliciting smile emanating from the cast especially from the powerhouse back-up vocalist and soprano Roxy Yarnold complemented Boy George like the afterburners to an already highly capable F-14 Tomcat. Her conviviality and stage presence were palpable. Her Macleans smile lit the house, giving Boy George’s refined set a run for his money. The other half of the touring vocalist Vangelis Polydorou complemented with the highest falsettos known to human and is the perfect fit on stage. Afterall he was the finalist in Voice UK.
The duet in That’s The Way (I’m Only Trying to Help You) between the Boy George and Yarnold was captivating, as both were engrossed with each other, and the instant chemistry of heartache was felt during the visceral performance that beamed the complexities of communication…and the heartache on a breakdown of a relationship felt real as the their spiritual connection intertwined.
The switch between the sonic spectrum ends was mellifluous. The tear jerker flipped into a hip swinging juggernaut through the cadence of a cover Everything I Own by the sappiest band of the 70’s – Bread. “Who likes reggae?” Everyone cheered. The Jamaican breeze then sailed through the arena, with those synth beats kicking in, casting a voodoo spell as thousands danced for seven minutes, with mobile lights dotting and waving in synch the RAC Arena.
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me is perhaps one of the two most recognisable hits. Released in 1982, the song became the trio’s first top of the charts hit UK and number 2 – thanks to the blockade by Billy Jean. For the fans in Perth, the song peaked at number 1 in Australia, and the local fans were credited with a performance that oozed heartache and desperation that it deserved.
“I put out two songs by Culture Club, and they were about to give up, and I was about to give up, and they wanted to put up this particular song and I was like, ‘no…too slow, too personal, no one is going to like it,’ but it went to number 1 in 36 countries…”Perseverance paid off, certainly a sliding door moment for the history of the New Romatics.
Boy George and Culture Club ended the night with (as you guessed it) Karma Chameleon. This is one of the time machine moments where the Red, Gold & Green marching army came to see. Like a broken dam, some fans rushed to the front and danced for the final opportunity. And as for our local gal Chelsea Gibson of Perth, she played the ever so important wicked harmonica- that itself is an instrumental hook and chorus of the track. As a former finalist on The Voice, the moment was significant and one to be remembered for the rest of her life. That’s Boy George, giving back to the local community.
“I’ve just celebrated my 62nd birthday…slap on a bit of a make up and it takes years off ya. My wisdom has been hard earned for me. I’ve been to a lot of interesting places, but is always good to be here on stage, doing what we love, doing what you love…”
Yes, Boy George and Culture Club, Perth loves ya too. Thanks for the memories. See you again.
This writer/photographer caught up with Chelsea after the show and asked about her experience:
“Performing with George & Culture Club was simply phenomenal. This last show was definitely the best experience so far. There was something extra special this time. The energy on stage, and the connection with the audience was magical. It’s a real treat playing with such first class musicians! George said he was ‘ecstatic’ with my performance. So that’s pretty exciting! I feel so grateful to have these opportunities and connections, and to have been a part of sharing these wonderful tunes. I’ve done about 4 or 5 shows with George now, and he’s always been so warm and uplifting. And the band and crew are all very kindhearted, professional and supportive. George said he wants to record a song with me, a popular classic. Looking forward to that! Woo hoo!”
Tickets to the Culture Club Greatest Hits Tour is available through Ticketek Australia
Sheldon Ang Media expresses its gratitude to TEG Live, Menard PR and Boy George and Culture Club
About the Writer/Photographer: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to photograph and review the hottest acts in Perth including KISS, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lizzo, Evanescence, Post Malone, Sting, Harry Styles, Backstreet Boys and Florence + The Machine with reviews shared by the likes of UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Fabulous Caprittos and Tina Arena. He has interviewed rockers Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) and forty other legends.
