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September 17, 2022

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Boy George and Culture Club made a return trip to MGM's Center Stage after a four year absence.

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The packed house was on their feet for nearly the entire show to sing and dance along with Culture Club and to perhaps relive their youth. 

 

Along with George, the band features original members Roy Hay on guitar and keys and Mikey Craig on bass.  A keyboardist, a drummer, a guitarist, a saxophonist and three backup singers rounded out the fantastic band.  Original drummer, Jon Moss left the group a few years ago.

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The show opened up with George standing on top of a riser at the back of the stage with the band breaking into "Sympathy for the Devil."  It may seem as an odd choice as an opener, but it worked.

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Then it was the one, two punch of "It's A Miracle" and "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" that had everyone up and dancing.

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George not only looked fantastic, but he also sounded fantastic too.  He had high energy all night long as he also danced and worked the stage.

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A great reggae version of Bread's "Every Thing I Own" fit nicely into the set along with a more acoustic version of "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me."

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However, things really started to pick up with a blistering version of "Church of the Poison Mind" which was mashed up perfectly with Wham's "I'm Your Man." 

 

It was the highlight of the the show and one of the best concert moments of the year.

 

"Time (Clock of the Heart)," "Miss Me Blind" and "The War Song" completed the last portion of their set.

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But no Culture Club show would be complete without their number on hit, "Karma Chameleon," so the band saved that one for last.

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If you did not have fun at this show, I'm not sure you know how to have fun.  This will be in my top ten concerts of the year for sure.

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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