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CULTURE CLUB
+ Berlin
@ RAC Arena, Perth,
5th September, 2023
(Live Review)

Review by Melanie Griffiths

Photos by Mark Francesca (@mark_francesca_)

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Culture Club, Perth 2023 / Photo Mark Francesca (@mark_francesca_)

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A crisp, chilly Spring night was forgotten by thousands at RAC Arena as Culture Club bathed the crowd in the colourful warmth of 80s nostalgia and reggae music. With Boy George making good on his promise of, “All the rules are out the window tonight. You’re getting the hits and more.”

With support Berlin the crowd was treated to an Oscar-winning serenade by the American 80s synth-wave band who delivered a powerful performance of their 1987 Oscar-winning hit, “Take My Breath Away.” That timeless track became the fissure that split the group up before they reformed in 2016.

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Berlin, Perth 2023 / Photo Mark Francesca (@mark_francesca_)

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Normally for a one-hit wonder, expectations are kept low so it was a pleasant surprise to find the band threw themselves into a great set that paid homage to their past of synth-electro rock pop with now with an edgier grit.

Singer Terri Nunn resplendent in a red short playsuit sang with all the verve of her younger self as they played “Masquerade”, “Animal” and her favourite religious song, AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell”. At the end of the set she remarked “We’re celebrating 46 years of Berlin” and given the lively performance, there will be more milestones to celebrate.

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Berlin, Perth 2023 / Photo Mark Francesca (@mark_francesca_)

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After a brief intermission, the stage was illuminated, and a steady drumbeat heralded the arrival of Culture Club’s members, taking their respective positions. The man of the hour, Boy George, emerged to generous applause. Donning a loud jacket and ostentatious bowler hat, he added a touch of irreverent charm to the evening.

Billed as “The Greatest Hits Tour,” the band wasted no time in launching into the irresistibly sweet “It’s A Miracle” before taking the party up a notch with “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” which included a plucky Latino song break.

It was a night all about nostalgia and celebrating. As George remarked, “We’re coming out tonight to share some memories”.

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Culture Club, Perth 2023 / Photo Mark Francesca (@mark_francesca_)

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An issue with Mikey Craig’s bass led to a few minutes of troubleshooting and riffing with the audience which broke the momentum of the first three songs and made it hard for “Move Away” and “Melodrama” to get off the ground. It was a darker section allowing backup and former The Voice UK protege Vangelis Polydorou to show off some amazing vocals and a killer sparkle jumpsuit.

However, like the rhythm of a djembe, the group got its groove back.

“You must like reggae music if you come and see Culture Club? Ha Hah!”

True to their promise, the night was reggae-infused and was embraced by the audience. A surprising cover of Bread’s “Everything I Own” provided each musician a moment in the spotlight, proving that Boy George was more than willing to share the stage front and centre with his bandmates.

Describing the next song as originally believing it to be “Too slow, it’s too personal, no one’s gonna like it.” Culture Club served up a stripped-back intro of breakthrough hit, “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” which was delivered with heavy introspection and melancholy before the band kicked in. With the backdrop of their old distorted music videos playing behind them, Angel of Mercy”, “Victim” and “That’s the Way (I’m Only Trying To Help You)” were vehicles to show the vocal prowess of George and backup singer Roxy Yarnold.

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Culture Club, Perth 2023 / Photo Mark Francesca (@mark_francesca_)

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Throughout the performance, the Perth crowd remained positive but somewhat reserved, prompting George to quip, “Seriously, you’re very quiet,” in response to a lukewarm reaction to a crowd question.

However, fans made up for it as they got up to shake off the winter chill during hits like “Church of the Poison Mind / I’m Your Man,” “Time (Clock of the Heart),” and “Miss Me Blind.”

Returning for an encore, Culture Club delighted with T-Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On),” injecting a rock ‘n’ roll energy into the mix before rolling out the ultimate Blue Light Disco jam, “Karma Chameleon.”

The 1980s may have been over 40 years ago but Culture Club made thousands of avid fans feel that it was just yesterday – proving that their music has the timeless power to keep hearts young.

3.5/5 stars

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Culture Club, Perth 2023 / Photo Mark Francesca (@mark_francesca_)

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Check out Mark Francesca’s (@mark_francesca_) full gallery of this event HERE

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Follow CULTURE CLUB
Website – Instagram – Facebook
#culturecluboztour

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Culture Club, Perth 2023 / Photo Mark Francesca (@mark_francesca_)

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Press Release 13th April 2023 (below) HERE

CULTURE CLUB’s
Greatest Hits Tour

with special guests
BERLIN

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AMNPLIFY – DB