Party ‘til you drop with Boy George and Culture Club!

“I think you just have to be yourself.”
Legendary pop star Boy George celebrated his individuality during his solo interview by Skype with select members of the country’s entertainment media (“This is very sci-fi!”) to push his two-night concert, “Culture Club featuring Boy George Live in Manila,” scheduled on June 17 and 18, 2016 at the Araneta Coliseum. As part of their world tour, it will take them to the US, Canada, Mexico and Australia.
“I just really love doing live shows and especially in places we’ve never been. I think we’re a better band now, so you’re seeing us really in our best because we are older, we’re smarter, and we’re more relaxed and funnier. I think we enjoy it more, when we play, we enjoy it,” he shared.
Wearing a beard and a goatee, blonde hair and prominent peace and cross icons tattooed on the right side over his trademark bowler hat, Boy has transformed yet again. Gone is the frilly look complete with multi-colored ribbons he made phenomenal in the ‘80s.
The androgynous crooner’s music has always been referred to as blue-eyed soul. Though best known for his work in Culture Club, he has also done plenty of solo work and with other bands in his career spanning 30 years, selling over 150 million records in that span. Boy George’s music has always been a very personal record and his voice is still haunting, combining reggae and pop rock.
During that breakout decade, he termed his androgynous fashion sense as “individuality.” But he has since become an outspoken advocate of gay rights. The wider acceptance of LGBT people today he refers to as “a kind of world that I always wanted,” he shared.
Although largely considered as the iconic face of the hit-making band, Boy George said he regards the other members of the band, namely, guitarist and keyboardist Roy Hay, bass player Mikey Craig and drummer Jon Moss, as vital to the band’s success in such big hits “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?,” “Karma Chameleon,” “It’s A Miracle,” “Time (Clock of the Heart),” “The War Song,” “Church of the Poison Mind,” “Miss Me Blind”  and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.”
Now 54 and reborn after a string of misfortunes with the law involving drugs and sex, Boy has always been a cultural chameleon as he admitted. “The music industry has so many people who are very similar with other people, like, ‘you sound like this or that.’ I think to stand the test of time, you have to be an individual, you have to be unique and you have to find your own identity,” he explained.
He’s now reinvented himself as a clean-living Buddhist who eats well (“I am vegetarian.”) and is spending most of his time working on projects and cooking; and at parties, he’s usually the DJ. Although he usually spins house music, he wants to do a remix of his biggest hits to insert in such gigs.
“Culture Club featuring Boy George Live in Manila” will do big with the metro’s huge and very active LGBT community. This was tested when Manny Pacquiao made an anti-LGBT remark and everybody went all out to denounce his racism, forcing him to backtrack and apologize.
As we know very well, the LGBT community of all ages loves to party, and the two-night shows are rare chances to do just that with the icon who started gay pop. Come as Boy George of the ‘80s or Boy George of now, it does now matter. Party until you drop is all that matters!   
Quite evident from the way Boy George spoke to the local press, he was in the mood to party. He spoke animatedly, his eyes frequently opening up that he gave the impression of being kind. So much was learned about himself, his group and the many great things they do together. As a result, they live a life dedicated to music.

FRESH STATUS. “We’re a much better band now, we are older, smarter, we are more relaxed, we enjoy it more when we play. We really enjoy it. I just really love doing live shows.” “If I am to define my call in the band, I would say that I am the CEO as a joke. I guess I’m the face of the Culture Club and I’m happy that we will be playing in the Philippines.”

MUSIC IS ALL. “I think music is a great place to escape to. When I was growing up, music was something I escape into. I would sit in my room, turn off the lights, and listen to my favorite music. It kind of just drifts off into an imaginary wonderful colorful place, and that’s kind of still what I do. I still think that music has the power to transform, to excite, to make you laugh, to make you cry, to make you dance, to make you fall in love. I think music is a wonderful magical kind of gift, and for me it’s one of the most important things in my life. I can’t imagine my life without music. I can’t imagine how different it would’ve been without all the wonderful soundtracks and artists that I grew up with. Music is everything.”

KARMA. “These things happen when they’re meant to happen. We’re in a really good place right now and the best time for us to be together is when everybody’s feeling positive and kinda enthusiastic so I think that’s why we’re doing it now,” he declared.

CURRENT ROLE. “But nowadays, you need to be more than just a musician. It’s a very different landscape now. You just have to deal with all sorts of things, all sorts of ideas. It isn’t just about music anymore. It’s about everything that kinda adds up to your legacy and your greatness.”
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. “I think for us we always want to make sure that we leave the crowd with a big smile on their faces and a big smile in their hearts. I think, in a funny sort of way, you know for most fans, particularly Culture Club only really makes sense on stage. That’s where it’s really magical and that’s where the fun happens. That’s where the real chemistry of the band takes place so live shows are always exciting. And I accept to say that we are a much better band now so you’re seeing us really at our best because we are older and smarter. We’re more relaxed, funnier, and we enjoy it more. I love live shows especially in places we’ve never been. It’s the best time to see us.”
Culture Club Featuring Boy George is a must-watch concert as it happens live for the first time in Manila, presented by Royale Chimes Concert & Events Inc. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketnet (911-5555). For more info, call (0918) 497-2121 and (0906) 418-0786.

EXCITING SHOWS at HARD ROCK CAFÉ. Beat the summer heat and catch Hard Rock Café’s (HRC) amazing line-up of artists in the final week of April. K.O. Jones powers the house with old school and classic rock ‘n roll on April 27 (Wednesday); Kudos Loves 80s dishes out the greatest hits of the 80s from power ballads, and homegrown dance hits on April 28 (Thursday); show band Part 3 lightens up the party with pop hits on April 29 (Friday); and sultry singer Paula Bianca and show band Street Beat are set to deliver a powerful set on April 30 (Saturday) as they dish out live a sampling of today’s hottest chart-toppers, party anthems, and standard favorites. Come and see the show at Hard Rock Café and witness the country’s most talented artists and bands at their very best while enjoying eclectic choices of food that features the most scrumptious selection of American, Continental, Asian and Filipino cuisine. All shows start at 9 p.m.