CONCERT REVIEW
Culture Club, Berlin
Pacific Amphitheatre, Costa Mesa, Calif.
Aug. 18, 2022
Next: Culture Club, 8 p.m. Saturday, The Show at Agua
Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Berlin at Freestyle Festival, noon Saturday, Bridges Memorial Park, Long Beach, Calif.
Listening to Boy George’s witty between-song banter is among
the best parts of a Culture Club concert. During a thoroughly enjoyable 80-minute,
13-song set in Costa Mesa, the British singer opined about his musical
influences, astrological signs, life lessons, love songs, the recent Elton
John/Dua Lipa collaboration and more.
The London pop band initially formed in 1981 and was part of
the second British invasion that took America by storm in the early Eighties
alongside Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and many others. Over the course of five
years, Culture Club amassed nine top 20 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100. The
quartet – still featuring original members Roy Hay and Mikey Craig alongside George
O’Dowd – have broken up and reformed sporadically since then; most recently in 2014.
The studio album “Life,” their first since ’99, emerged in 2018.
This Pacific Amphitheatre concert took place 37 years to the
day that Culture Club last performed on the same stage (with this writer in
attendance). Several fans in the O.C. audience sported variations on young George’s
signature hat and dreadlocks look.
Following a montage of past video clips and imagery, the
group emerged clapping and opened with the joyous positivity of new song “The
Next Thing Will Be Amazing.” The nine-piece backing band’s power was instantly felt
during a strong 1-2 punch: first, “It’s a Miracle,” which was heighted by a jaunty
sax solo and the fun “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya,” given a mini salsa break.
Hay moved from electric guitar to white grand piano for the
sleek “Move Away,” where George’s soulful delivery was bolstered by the four
backup vocalists. George’s solo U.K. reggae hit cover of Bread’s “Everything I
Own,” complete with dub interlude, was a highlight. Bassist Craig was smiling
ear to ear.
A completely revamped “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” had a
surprisingly airy vibe that recalled 10cc (think: “I’m Not in Love”). George
started it a capella before being joined by piano, acoustic guitar, lush
backing vocals and a sax solo.
“I love this country. You’ve always been there for us,” said
George, in introducing another new track, the tribal rhythm-driven “Planetary
Karma.” The evening’s major high point came amid a medley containing “Church of
the Poisoned Mind” and Wham!’s “I’m Your Man.” The sax player adeptly subbed
for Judd Lander’s wicked harmonica work on the recorded version.
Later, “Time (Clock of the Heart)” traded luxuriousness for
a more disco-fied arrangement. The same held true for an even more danceable “Miss
Me Blind.” Everyone in the crowd was out of their seats. Come encore time,
Culture Club performed a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” (George
said, “I always said when I grew up that I wanted to be Mick Jagger – in my own
way”) that worked fairly well. The band
closed with its best-known hit “Karma Chameleon.” Pure fun, all around.
Berlin opened the Pac Amp concert with a solid 40-minute
set. Kicking things off with “Masquerade,” singer Terri Nunn was often an
exuberant presence. The band - a mainstay on KROQ/106.7 FM during the new wave
era - got its start in Orange County in the late ‘70s, where classic Berlin period
keyboardist/guitarist David Diamond hails from. Both said this gig felt like a
homecoming.
“No More Words,” with Nunn’s fierce delivery, prompted a
roar of approval from the crowd. She was equally riveting on “The Metro” as
swirling synth sounds dominated. The title track off 2013’s “Animal” had a more
intense, industrial-tinged undertow as Nunn dramatically gestured and showed
her camaraderie with the other musicians.
Before paying tribute to the late Olivia Newton-John, Nunn
admitted to not being a big fan of the Aussie artist until she released “Magic” in 1980, “Then, I suddenly
got it. Olivia, thank you for gracing us with your love and talent for 73
years.” She and guitarist Carlton Bost sat on stools and did a mesmerizing
acoustic guitar cover of the track.
The success of “Top Gun: Maverick” has prompted renewed
interest in the 1986 film. Its successful soundtrack contained “Take My Breath
Away,” Berlin’s No. 1 single written by Giorgio Moroder. In Costa Mesa, Nunn
ventured out into the crowd to sing it with emotional depth. The group
concluded the set with “Sex (I’m a),” Nunn’s sensual duet with bassist and band founder John Crawford.
The latter added a wail worthy of a hard rock front man at the end.
Photo: Miguel Vasconcellos for OC Fair
