Boy George on Orlando mass shooting: No words can describe it

MANILA, Philippines - Boy George couldn’t help but turn emotional as he reiterated his sentiments on the recent mass shooting in Orlando.

The frontman of the British band Culture Club was one of the first international music stars to react on social media to the tragic gay nightclub incident that killed more than 40 people.

“I think my sentiments would be the same as anyone else. I was very sad about it. Right now, especially in America, it’s making a lot of people aware of the LGBT community. I cannot even put into words how I felt. Unfortunately, it happened during my tour and I can’t stop to think about all the families and those who were devastated,” said the openly gay music icon in a presscon at Novotel yesterday.

“It’s unbelievable… I feel very sad and I don’t know how people are going to go through it but I know they will,” he added.

Boy George is in Manila with Culture Club (whose other members are drummer Jon Moss, bassist Mikey Craig and guitarist Roy Hay) for a show at the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow, June 18.

During the presscon, one audience member thanked the group for their music and particularly Boy George’s boldness in his music and personality, which he said helped him come out in the past.

Boy George stressed that their music is about being true to oneself. “It’s not just about sexuality. I feel strongly for those who are different or left out.”

Culture Club is currently taking on the world through a 40-city “reunion tour” that brings them to the US, Mexico, Japan, Australia and the Philippines.

Iconic ‘80s pop band Culture Club featuring lead vocalist Boy George with (from left) bassist Mikey Craig, guitarist Roy Hay and drummer Jon Moss during a press conference at Novotel Hotel in Araneta Center

It was in the ’80s when Culture Club became one of the biggest bands on earth, dominating the charts, garnering multi-platinum records and selling more than 50 million albums worldwide to date. Some of the chart-toppers the band churned out were Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, Time (Clock of the Heart), Karma Chameleon, Love is Love and Miss Me Blind.

After an “on-and-off” presence in the music scene as a band, Culture Club reunited in 2014 and Boy George believes that “we are in the best position right now.”

Earlier during the Q&A, Boy George drew laughs as he denied reports that he was sighted at NAIA Wednesday and that he first came to the Philippines back in the ’90s as a DJ.

All that matters is now and this trip with the Culture Club, he said.

That’s the same tune he sang when asked why Culture Club disbanded, the first time at the height of their popularity in the mid-’80s. A quick Google search could furnish you with news archives of the band’s successes and even much-publicized struggles. But whatever forces that drove them apart in the past, the band members are firmly putting them where they should be — in the past.

“Who cares?” Boy George answered with a laugh.

The singer-songwriter further explained, “I think in life, there are a lot of things that happen and you just have to move on. The most exciting time for us is right now. We are more in parallel now. People always look back at the past, things that went wrong...I think each one of us went through a lot but the beauty of pop culture is that you enjoy the moment, things happen and you enjoy it as it is. Basically, for us, it (was) all just for transformation.”

As for the show tomorrow, expect their repertoire to cover all their hits, classics and “maybe a few surprises.” Like maybe some songs from their forthcoming album Tribes, which is available for pre-order and is set to be released later this year?

Nevertheless, the concert, which is a production of Royale Chimes Concerts and Events, Inc., is going to be more than just a nostalgic trip, not that the Pinoy fans would mind. “I think music is universal, especially the music that we make. A lot of people are familiar with the songs. We have kind of all grown up together. I’ve lived my life in the public eye and these songs bring me back to certain times in my life, the joy...sadness...that’s what I try to communicate to the audience. Music should make you dance, cry or sing, I mean you could do all things in one show, and that makes me excited.”

(Tickets to Boy George and Culture Club: Live in Manila! are available via Ticketnet at 911-5555 or log on to ticketnet.com.ph.)