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SQUEEZE ME BOY GEORGE TOUR
Live at Pacific Amphitheatre
August 29, 2024 Review by Michelle Cooper
The dual bill of Squeeze and Boy George filled up Orange County’s Pacific Amphitheatre with a crowd excited to relive their youth with the hits of the ‘80s. It was a week packed with iconic ‘80s artists in SoCal – including Haircut 100 who had not toured the States in 42 years – so to say we were all still buzzing is an understatement. But tonight’s show featured two bands that were part of the second wave “British Invasion,” which exposed many of us to flashy styles, synth-pop, and new wave styles of music when we were teens.
Anyone who knows me knows Culture Club, specifically Boy George, is my idol from 12 years old and up. My bedroom was painted purple and my furniture was all black (supposedly Boy George’s favorite colors), and my walls were plastered with every poster and magazine picture possible of Boy George and Culture Club (although I had some Robert Smith and The Cure in there as well!). The moment I saw George on MTV, I was intrigued with his look and his voice. I loved how cheeky he was in interviews; I never liked fake people, and to me, George seemed real and genuine. For that reason, I became a fan and no matter what I read or saw, I never saw him back down from his true self.
As for Squeeze, I used to record their songs onto my cassettes from my boom box while listening to KROQ, and even today, I have their hits on my iTunes playlist. Admittedly my partner once told Squeeze founding member Glenn Tilbrook he has to sit in the car listening to Squeeze as I drive him to his own gigs, so I was excited to be attending this show.
Through happenstance, I ran into the legend and icon, Mr. ‘80s himself, Richard Blade. Blade was the KROQ DJ we all loved in Los Angeles and Orange County. Blade helped introduce us to the British Invasion bands we still listen to, keeping us youthful and nostalgic. But as we were chatting, I saw my teen obsession step out in front of the drop-down canvas labeled “Boy George!”
Now, I have met and spoken with George before, but I still get giddy and star-struck like I am 14 years old. I continued to chat with Blade as I watched George interact with the meet-and-greet guests moving through the line, each taking turns to get photographs with George. As the line died down, I slowly moved over to stand close. George was talking to a young lady, then looked up at me and gave me a quizzical look, as if to say, “I know you, but I’m not sure who or how.” I told him my name and why he may remember me and he nodded with a smile and said, “Yes, come here.”
We – my best friend who I had dragged to the show as she was with me throughout my teen years, going to every Culture Club/Boy George concert, listening to every album, and hearing me gush over and over about him – were able to converse a little bit with George and snap photos. Once again George proves how kind, thoughtful, and cheeky he is. Sadly, I let George go as he has a show to get ready for; he is the headliner tonight after all!
Richard Blade’s voice boomed over the mic, cheerfully asking us if we were ready for the best night. Of course, the crowd burst out with excitement and Blade gave Squeeze a proper introduction.
Squeeze took the stage, all coordinated in black and white suits, looking dapper as they started off with their hit “Take Me I’m Yours.” The crowd let out cheers and got up to start dancing.
Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, the two songwriters/singers, continue with 15 more hits; it is a full setlist for us. The crowd loved it and their excitement continued as the band took us through “Up the Junction,” “If I Didn’t Love You,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Slap & Tickle,” “Goodbye Girl,” “Is That Love,” “Cool for Cats,” and “Pulling Mussels.”
One of my personal highlights was “Tempted” with just Tilbrook, a guitar, a tambourine, and Difford singing along now and then; it sounded brilliant!
We were also treated to a solo by Stephen Large on keys, Difford on guitar, Steven Smith on percussion, and ending with a thundering drum solo by Simon Hanson.
The last of the set, “Black Coffee in Bed,” made the crowd roar, ending the set on a high note.
We were all singing along loudly, and I could almost see the nostalgia rising. Squeeze played their songs in the right order; each one built the other up for the perfect ending to their set.
B O Y G E O R G E
Sitting in our seats, hearing the buzz from everyone talking around us was electrifying. Richard Blade stepped out onto the stage again, this time introducing Boy George.
The crowd leapt to their feet in cheers again as the stage went dark and the band members moved to their prospective spots on stage. Colorful stage lights illuminated through stage smoke as music started playing “Existence.” Then, out came the most elegant, beautifully made up 6’0” Irish man you’ve ever seen, in his custom-made B-Rude outfit and hat, his soulful voice bringing us a happy moment.
I was surprised a small portion of the crowd around us kept calling out for “the old songs.” Although the show was billed as Boy George, it seemed as if some expected the whole set to be Culture Club songs.
We did get four Culture Club songs, including the one that introduced us to Boy George and CC in the States, “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” As George introduced it, he stated, “You’re going to say ‘oh, this is different, but I love it.’” George and his backup singer Nathalie Palmer sang it as a duet, and yes, it was very different from the 1982 version, but very beautiful indeed. George was right – we did love it!
We also were surprised with “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” a cover of a Tubeway Army aka Gary Numan song from 1977. George did three other cover songs: “Purple Rain” by Prince, “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat, and “The Crying Game” by Dave Barry. It was also his tour debut of “King of Everything.” Of course, if you know George, there will be some wardrobe changes, and during one change, his incredible backup singer Vangelis Polydorou sang “Kylie T-shirt.”
For the encore, we got two songs: “How to be a Chandelier,” and of course the biggest Club chart-topper in the States, “Karma Chameleon.” The whole venue was up and singing every verse and lyric with George; it was the kind of moment that gives you chills. A perfect ending to the night.
As people started to leave, I sat in my seat to wait for the crowd to clear and I listened to what was being said. I could hear couples, friends in pairs, large groups – people there just for Boy George, some just for Squeeze, and others for both. The majority of the crowd had smiles, joy, and happiness that both acts played full sets.
A lot of people were surprised and impressed with Boy George’s cover songs and liked the new version of “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” They also were happy about all the Squeeze songs and impressed by how amazing each artist’s voice sounded.
Amazingly, these men have been performing for 40 plus years, and they can still bring us joy like they did back in the ‘80s. MTV may not be the same as it was, but Squeeze and Boy George sure sound just as impressive as they did then!
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by Tony Smith Images
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