It’s been over 40 years since I first saw Culture Club in concert, and I’m pleased to say that their recent show at Newcastle Arena showed they’ve lost none of their flair. The gig was part of a special tour celebrating their first two albums, “Kissing to Be Clever” and “Colour by Numbers”, and featured those records played in full—track by track, hit by hit. I first saw Culture Club at Newcastle City Hall in 1983, just as they were really taking off.
At that point, they’d released their debut album, had already bagged a number one single, and the City Hall was packed out with fans eager to see what all the fuss was about. I remember George sweeping onto the stage in a multi-coloured suit with those trademark dreadlocks. It was a great show—more pop and reggae than rock, and noticeably quieter than most gigs I’d been to at the time. I also recall that after the concert, we went on to the Mayfair to catch Marillion—those were the days!
Move forward 40 years to when I saw Rod Stewart Durham Cricket Ground 30 June 2023. The support act was none other than Boy George and Culture Club. We arrived in time to catch most of their set including great versions of their hits “Church of the Poison Mind”, “Time”, “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” And “Karma Chameleon”. All played with George’s usual classic style. Excellent. George also returned to his roots and played a great cover of T Rex’s “Get It On”.
Rod returns with a new outfit and is joined by Boy George. George explains that the next song “The Killing of Georgie” means a lot to him personally, and how his mother gave it to him as a present in a brown paper bag. It was her way of letting him know that she realised he was gay. Rod and George deliver the song together and it is very appropriate and very moving. George explains that he has to leave because his Nan is not well. Fast forward to 2024, and George may be older, but he still knows how to put on a show. From the opening number White Boy, the band powered through both albums with confidence and style.
The visuals were slick, the band tight, and George’s voice—while perhaps a little lower than it once was—was still rich and expressive. The hits came thick and fast: “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”, “Time (Clock of the Heart)”, “Church of the Poison Mind”, and of course “Karma Chameleon”, which brought the house down. The whole arena sang along and it was hard not to be swept up in the energy of it all.
Support came from Tony Hadley and Heaven 17—both well-received and great fun in their own right—but it was George who held the night together. He remains a fascinating performer: charismatic, stylish, and full of personality. It’s always a risk seeing a band so far removed from their heyday, but this was no nostalgia cash-in. It felt like a proper celebration of some classic pop music, played with heart and a bit of theatrical flair.
Set List: White Boy, You Know I’m Not Crazy, I’ll Tumble 4 Ya, Take Control, Love Twist, Boy, Boy, (I’m the Boy, I’m Afraid of Me, White Boys Can’t Control It, Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, Karma Chameleon, It’s a Miracle, Black Money, Changing Every Day, That’s the Way (I’m Only Trying to Help You), Church of the Poison Mind, Miss Me Blind, Mister Man, Stormkeeper, Victims, Colour by Numbers, Kissing 2 Be Clever, Get It On.
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