by John Johnson, photos 📷 Yvonne Gougelet, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa

Having seen Boy George & Culture Club a handful of times, with and without Culture Club, I pretty much knew what to expect. He typically brings that British charm and wit, backed with rhythm and good vibes, and always appears to be having a blast doing it. This past Wednesday at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center was no exception. As expected, the nearly sold out crowd consisted of middle aged and above 80’s music lovers, some even dressed for the occasion, in neon and day-glow colors. Others seemed to be using their “date-night” to hit up the casino’s venue and witness the resilient and flamboyant entertainer who blew up the scene in the early MTV days.

You know, back when they actually played videos and the artists dressed and performed accordingly. My fellow AARP cardholders entered the room, several requiring assistance finding their seats, which is never a problem due to the crack staff that works the Event Center. Their expert customer service was on full display later in the evening, as I witnessed more than a few people complaining about other attendees standing up during the performance. No matter what age demographic you belong to you should remind yourself that, yes you have a seat, but it’s still a concert and there’s a good chance that the act on stage wants you off your asses. Boy George is most assuredly one of those performers. The even keeled attendants at the Hard Rock handled those curmudgeons much more diplomatically than I would have. I enjoy sitting on occasion as much as the next, but if you go to a concert be prepared to have people stand.

The giddy woman in front of me, not one of those complainers mentioned above, was decked out in pink and leopard print. About the same time I was asking my bride “how old do you think she is?”, she received a text, with a GIANT font big enough for me to read from behind her. It read,“G-Ma, Spencer went pee pee on the potty!”. She was only able to enjoy this proud grandparent moment for a second as the lights dropped, the band hit, and when Boy George strutted out with Culture Club, the place erupted.

He looked “fabulous” as usual — giant bold hat, flowing layers, plaid color blocked fabrics, the whole vibe. At 64 years young, George Alan O’Dowd with fumanchu, meticulously groomed eyebrows and a bright band of eyeshadow that made his turquoise eyes pop, still controls a room. He peppered his sixteen song set with the obvious favorites, but may have perplexed the congregation with newer tunes and punchy reggae undertones. That “white reggae” being ever present from way back in the early 80’s when he brought a reggae-pop sound to a global audience, showcasing his soulful voice and iconic, androgynous style. “Church of the Poison Mind”, “Time (Clock of the Heart)” and “Miss Me Blind” were played as they were on their respective compact discs. However, he felt it necessary to point out before hand, that “Google said you can’t take something old and mess with it. But judging by what people do to their faces and hair, well…”, as he tore into a slower, reggae infused version of the Club’s first hit “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”. His back up band are extremely tight and versed in all things Culture Club, music and attitude. But a special shout out goes to his female back-up singer Natalie Palmer, whose range on “Church of the Poison Mind” is quite impressive

.
Boy, or is it Mr. George, charismatically bantered in between songs, adding in his trademark cackle when he says something humorous. Keeping things lighthearted for the most part, only briefly dipping his platform boots into the semi-political pool. For instance when he suggested that the “media isn’t always accurate” before playing “London is Not Burning”. Or offering that there are “two types of people”, not immediately what you’d expect when he followed with “the cool people that come to live shows, and the internet”. Quipping that the internet is “like Customs. Don’t do it if you can avoid it.” He went around the stage and introduced the previously mentioned talented bunch ending with introductions of the two original members of the Culture Club.

The ever-young looking bassist Mikey Craig and multi-instrumentalist Roy Hay. The original quartet was “a man down” George noted, as Jon Moss, a former lover of his, is no longer a touring member. He finished the main set with an impressive recreation of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”, which indeed had the majority of the intimate room off their seats. Whether or not the “Karen” behind them insisted on “speaking to the manager”, or not. The four song encore began with a rousing rendition of the Stone’s “Sympathy for the Devil” followed by T-Rex/Marc Bolan’s “Children of a Revolution”. Rounding out the hour and a half set was a somber, yet moving “She’s Lying” and of course, the crowd favorite, show closer “Karma Chameleon”. For an opening night of a tour, it was remarkably tight — vibrant, polished, and joyfully defiant — proving that Boy George and Culture Club’s blend of pop hooks and reggae tinged soul vibe still hits you in the groove, decades later.

Now, Go Out and See, Hear and Feel Live Music