Boy George, like everyone else, has been feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic — but that’s not going to stop him from giving his fans some much-needed fun.
The star has announced that on December 19th, he and the rest of Culture Club will be taking to The SSE Arena at Wembley for a massive livestream event, Rainbows in the Dark: A Global Stream. The event, which will also feature a limited, socially-distanced in-person audience at the arena, will see George and the band getting back together to perform some of their greatest hits to audience members around the world.
The group is also making sure that those who’ve been on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis get front-row treatment for this event — Culture Club announced that first-responders to the pandemic from anywhere in the world will be granted free access to a livestream of the show by filling out this online form. Any first-responders who have already purchased tickets will be refunded.
Billboard caught up with Boy George before his upcoming show to ask him 20 of our burning questions. Below, read about George’s first-ever live concert experience, his “compulsion to create,” and how he went about putting together this new livestream concert.
1. What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?
My first album was Space Oddity by David Bowie on vinyl — and just to be completely honest, the other record I bought on 45 vinyl was Melanie’s “Alexander Beetle.”
2. What was the first concert you saw?
Ziggy Stardust in 1973. I was a 11 and a half years old and nothing has been the same since.
3. What did your parents do for a living when you were a kid?
My Dad was a builder and my Mum was a stay at home Mum looking after us six kids!
4. Who made you realize you could be an artist full-time?
At the tail end of punk, a lot of my friends were starting bands, and I suppose that had an influence on me. I thought if they can do it, I can do it.
5. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?
I just want to get better and better at what I do and more relaxed doing it. Also maybe be the lead in a great movie!
6. How did your hometown/city shape who you are?
As a kid I hated it, but looking back it was a characterful place full of personalities and conflict. I don’t think you should ever be ashamed of where you’re from — ‘cos it’s never where you’re going.
7. Your Rainbow in the Dark livestream is taking place at The SSE Arena, Wembley — what are you most looking forward to with your performance?
Connecting with people even though many of them won’t be in the room. It’s going to be an interesting challenge. I’ll need to turn up the volume. And working is also a big part of it — feeling like you’re doing something useful.
8. In the time of COVID-19, we’re all missing out on a lot, including live music. What do you miss most about performing shows for live audiences?
Playing live is a great distraction. You get completely lost in what you are doing. Plus each night is different when you’re touring.
9. You’ve stated in multiple interviews that you’ve written enough music for “six or seven albums” in lockdown. What was your main source of inspiration while writing that music?
I have a compulsion to create. It’s a condition that’s not been recognized as of yet. Sometimes during times of stillness, you get to hear things more clearly, and notice things more keenly.
10. In the announcement of the new livestream, you said you want the concert to bring “optimism and hope through our music.” What’s giving you hope nowadays?
Friendships. That’s been essential over the past year, and in some ways that become more important. You start thinking about the people you love and the value that they bring to your life.
11. What’s the last song you listened to?
The duet I just did with Kim Wilde called “Name and Number.” It’s unashamedly ’80s — and nothing like the music I made in the ’80s, which makes it fun!
12. If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be?
Nina Simone or Bowie. All day long and all night.
13. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd of one of your sets?
Sometimes you’ll spot a lone person dancing and they are so engaged in what they are doing, you can’t stop staring at them. They are literally dancing like no one’s watching them. It’s not crazy, but it’s beautiful.
14. What’s your karaoke go-to?
That’s an interesting question — because my next album is going to be called Cool Karaoke and I’ve often wondered why no one has ever done a cool karaoke. I’d want to sing Nirvana or The Smiths.
15. What movie, or song, always makes you cry?
“The Beautiful Ones” by Prince always brings a tear to my eye. And the film Imitation of Life, the original black and white version.
16. What TV series have you watched all the way through multiple times?
Ozark. In fact, I’ve watched it so much I mentioned it in a song — “You’re so dark like season 3 of Ozark.”
17. What’s one thing that even your most devoted fans don’t know about you?
Nothing I’d be willing to tell them at this point. That might go down in history as one of the most political non answers of all time.
18. What’s a charity or charitable cause that’s important to you right now?
For me charity is always spread evenly. As a public person, you just do what you can. It’s important to do that. Charity as a concept is important to me.
19. If you were not a musician, what would you be?
Very disappointed and verging on bitter.
20. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
You’d don’t need to tell everyone everything about you all of the time. There is beauty in silence.