Culture Club revisited the scene of their inaugural London gig in 1982 last night for their first reunion in twelve years. Heaven nightclub was London’s hottest ticket and Music-News.com were ecstatic to be there.
To no fanfare or introduction the full band quietly walked on stage and kicked off proceedings with Church Of The Poison Mind. “Good evening we are Culture Club” said a pale faced Boy George. “Someone just asked me my name backstage, so there is still work to be done. Mind you he was only fifteen…”
Moving followed and it was clear that Boy George, dressed in relaxed black suit and camel trilby, was in fine voice. “Tonight we’ll be singing song’s from our new album which I think is called Tribes. This one is Different Man about Sly Stone”.
Up-tempo and following in the Culture Club vein the new material struck a chord with the lucky revelers.
Guitarist/keyboardist Roy Hay, also all in black, was clearly relishing the spotlight, and sporting a “chicks ate me” sticker on his Fender guitar. The full 11-piece band was formed of three-piece brass section, percussion, guitar, three backing vocalists and of course original members Boy George, Roy Hay, Mikey Craig and Jon Moss.
Human Zoo was the “lovely little reggae number” dedicated to the late John Holt who passed away earlier this week.
Miss Me, The War Song (with Two Tribes break) and classic Karma Chameleon all followed in what was a well worked set.
As Boy George announced More Than Silence he showed he had lost none of his sharpness “people over here (pointing just in front of stage) have been talking all the way through the songs, this is a good time for you all to shut up!”
Introducing Black Money as “one of my favorites from the back catalog” he then went on to spot a few faces in the crowd.
“Your from New York, I love you, you’re so crazy” and you get the feeling that if he wasn’t up on that stage he’d be happily standing in front of it, but he is, and he commands it.
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me was warmly received as was final encore, Miracle, closing a worthy practice run for the up coming arena shows. Culture Club still have that spark heading into 2015 with some new material for a whole new generation as well as the old fans. We were very glad to be there.
The Set List:
Main Set
Church of the Poison Mind (from Colour By Numbers, 1983)
Move Away (from From Luxury to Heartache, 1986)
Different Man (from Tribes, TBA)
Like I Used To (from Tribes, TBA)
Human Zoo (from Tribes, TBA)
Let Somebody Love You (from Tribes, TBA)
Miss Me Blind (from Colour By Numbers, 1983)
The War Song (from Waking Up With the House On Fire, 1984)
Karma Chameleon (from Colour By Numbers, 1983)
More Than Silence (from Tribes, TBA)
Black Money (single, 1983)
Oil & Water (from Tribes, TBA)
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? (from Kissing to Be Clever, 1982)
Runaway Train (from Tribes, TBA)
Encore
Its a Miracle (from Colour By Numbers, 1983)
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