Boy George And Culture Club Look Back On 40 Years During First U.S. Tour Since 2018

“We are Culture Club. We make sad music that puts you in a good mood…” asserted Culture Club frontman Boy George on stage at Ravinia, an enchanting outdoor venue about 25 miles north of Chicago. “Which in itself is a bit of a miracle,” mused George with a chuckle, setting up the group’s take on one of its biggest hits in “It’s A Miracle” early Friday night, additional percussion and four backing singers shining during the performance.

Boy George was affable, charismatic, entertaining and highly quotable on stage on night six of this leg of the group’s first American tour since 2018 (one scheduled to continue through September).

While original drummer Jon Moss left the band last year, Culture Club’s other three original members – George, bassist Mikey Craig and guitarist/keyboard player Roy Hay – were present and accounted for, Culture Club performing as an 11 piece group featuring the quartet of backing singers, a percussionist, additional keyboard player, bassist and live saxophone.

“So, Chicago…” began Boy George mischievously. “I’ve had some fun times in this city.”

George recounted the Windy City’s standing as the birthplace of house music. “So underground they won’t let anyone in!” he joked of the 80s club scene in the city.

Culture Club set a danceable groove with “Move Away,” putting forth their first cover of the evening shortly thereafter, George gushing over Bread’s “Everything I Own.”

“As a writer, I always feel like everything’s been written. We’re just writing it a different way,” he explained, setting up the cover while expounding upon the influence of American soul music. “We sing about matters of the heart – soul music… Or at least we try to.”

On stage in Highland Park, Boy George seemed like he was having a lot of fun, joking about his age as Culture Club celebrates a once unthinkable 40 years, the music finally eclipsing band headlines in America.

“If I was giving advice to anyone really young, I’d say invest in fun,” George advised. “It’s taken me 61 years to learn how to have fun. But when I walk out here, I’m finally relaxed,” he continued. “There’s a lot of love in the room and we really appreciate it. Especially after two years in isolation.”

Culture Club put the power of words front and center out of an almost a capella intro during a slowed down, reworked version of “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” “This song is about being derailed. I was off my tracks heading nowhere fast,” admitted the singer looking back, seemingly in a good place in 2022.

From there, the show really hit its stride. “Music is my salvation, my one and only friend,” sang George, referencing Ava Cherry and the power of vinyl while breaking down the importance of his craft throughout “Drop the Needle.”

The Culture Club band was at its best next during “Church of the Poison Mind.” “I don’t mind letting this song introduce itself,” said George proudly, its trademark harmonica solo sparkling on one of the last summer nights in Chicagoland, the group moving seamlessly into Wham’s “I’m Your Man” and back.

The hits kept coming, with “Time (Clock of the Heart)” following. A bass heavy, almost disco take of the hit was a highlight, wah wah guitar wafting across the seated pavilion.

“Come on, Chicago!” exclaimed George, firing up the crowd late in Friday’s set. “This is a house crew!” he said, setting up “Miss Me Blind,” halting at the song’s crescendo, screaming as he again namechecked the Windy City.

“Normally, we’d pause here – but we’re just gonna plow through it!” exclaimed George, Culture Club eschewing encore as the crowd took the patented sing-along backing vocal on the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil,” Boy George and Culture Club ultimately wrapping up with “Karma Chameleon.”

“Berlin just recently celebrated our 40th anniversary!” said singer Terri Nunn, who joined the L.A. new wave group shortly after its launch in 1978.

Berlin wasted no time getting to the hits during Friday night’s opening set, rolling out “No More Words’’ and “The Metro” back-to-back, early.

“Many of you have known us since we were all in our teens and 20s!” said Nunn bemused, setting up “Touch.”

Performing as a five piece group, Berlin also boasts co-founding bassist John Crawford alongside David Diamond, keyboard player since 1982.

“We’re gonna pay tribute to Olivia Newton John,” said Nunn. “I didn’t really get into her that much until this song – and then I got it,” she said, setting up “Magic.”

From the top selling soundtrack of 1986, Nunn, 61, remained in terrific voice as she delivered the Giorgio Moroder-written and produced ballad “Take My Breath Away,” Berlin heading for the finish.

Nunn made her way into the crowd to deliver a showstopping rock forward take on The Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary” later, adding it back to the setlist at the last minute. “Don’t wait for me,” said Nunn from halfway down the seated area, making her way back to the stage, before closing with “Sex (I’m A).’’