Boy George and his band. Photo by Chyrisse. VNT_9802-2 — Boy George and his band. Photo by Chyrisse.

By Wendy Hunter, Journalist, and Chyrisse Tabone, Photographer – Rock At Night, Tampa

Review: Boy George – 2024 Tour, The BayCare Sound, Clearwater, Florida – September 20, 2024

Culture Club – 1984 26th Annual Grammy Winner for Best New Artist

Boy George and his ‘anarchist’ symbol pants. Photo by Chyrisse.

The Baycare Sound amphitheater is nestled in Coachman Park adjacent to Clearwater Harbor. My first-time visit gave me a peaceful feeling with its open walls and tent-like roof covering. Large ceiling fans delivered a tropical breeze to the audience below. A hum in the air grew louder as concertgoers chatted while strolling into the space. Some claimed spots far from the stage by laying blankets on the grass, while others meandered to their seats with happy laughter. The crowd was diverse, including Boomers, Gen Z and X, and also Millennials who grew up embracing 80’s music. The stage was set for the Boy George, with his name blazoned in white letters on the large screen behind the stage. Will this be a concert that I will always remember?

At 7:45 pm, a mist flowed around the instruments as the band entered the stage. Boy George, dressed in a black and white flowing shirt and pants with a black jacket, and decked with a pink hat, began to sing “Purple Rain.” Boy George cried out, “Let me see you Clearwater,” and the listeners responded with cheers and arm waving. Guitar riffs introduced the catchy tune “Bang a Gong,” in a nod to the glam rock era. Then, the guitarist played just a few notes, and the listeners immediately knew what the next song would be. Whoops and screams ensued, and the dancing began to the hit “Karma Chameleon.” I couldn’t stop moving while viewing the synchronized steps of the backup singers. Boy George smiled and invited the audience to sing the chorus, and sing they did! Then the song “Faster” slowed the pace, and a soulful exchange between Boy George and the backup singer introduced as “Natalie” mesmerized listeners. The tune “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” opened with the slow cry of the saxophone. This version was slower than the original, heightening its essence. Then Boy George’s strong voice punched out the song “Church of the Poison Mind / I’m Your Man.” Natalie nailed the song’s ending and brought the audience to their feet with whistling and clapping.

The lyrics of “Cheapness and Beauty” and “Grossly Overrated,” were poetic, giving life to the ideas of the fragility of the human spirit as a quiet ambiance nestled over the listeners until the ending was met with cheers. Then Boy George asked, “Let me know what you think?” The band’s mysterious sound accompanied his voice during “The Crying Game,” a crowd favorite. Singer Vangelis Polydorou, a former contestant on The Voice UK, sang “Kylie T-Shirt.” The smokey and powerful saxophone solo enhanced the music and delighted the audience. Boy George returned to the stage dressed in a striking yellow jacket adorned with sketched words like “punk” and “panic.” The slightly salsa beat of well known “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” had guys and gals dancing in the wide aisles. And “It’s a Miracle” had the audience cheering for more.

Boy George and his band. Photo by Chyrisse

The last few songs were refreshingly diverse. The song “Mrs. Blame” featured guitar picking and clapping to this catchy country song. Boy George introduced the next song as the 40th anniversary of Bronski Beat’s “Small Town Boy.” The energy was palpable in the space as the song crescendoed and the audience danced, screamed, and fist-pumped. Their reaction brought them one last song, this time from the ‘70s: “Everything I Own” presented in a reggae style. The audience sang along as Boy George danced across the stage, and each member of the band performed a short solo. As Boy George waved goodbye, the concertgoers were wild with joy. It was the perfect concert.

This concert was a gem that I will remember forever. One might expect a more subdued Boy George after years as a musician, but his strong voice, stage presence, moves, and humor showed his love of entertaining listeners and that his talent is stronger than ever. His band was equally powerful. He has grown to embrace a more cultural toolbox that includes country and reggae, as well as New Wave. With this tour, Boy George remains an icon of New Wave and pop music. If you go to this concert, you just might remember what you were doing and who you were with when you first heard “Karma Chameleon.”