Boy George - real name George Alan O'Dowd - has been hit with harsh criticism following his comeback show in London. The 63-year-old musician is currently back with his band Culture Club, performing their 80s hits such as ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me’ and ‘Karma Chameleon.’ While Boy George has wowed fans with his stage presence and lively renditions, however, some critics have pointed out a major flaw - his voice. In some reviews, music devotees have suggested that Boy George’s singing ability isn’t what it used to be, and that his current reunion has come too late to show him at his best.
In a review for The Times, a critic praised the staging of the show, but then slammed: “None of the above could mask Culture Club’s current problem- Boy George’s voice. Sure it hasn’t been good for some time. Here it was weak at best, often inaudible and occasionally terribly out of tune. To make up for it, most of the band sang, while the backing vocalists kept the songs buoyant and in some cases completely took over.”.
The Financial Times had similar criticism, saying: “The gig nonetheless felt a bit flat. One problem was Boy George’s voice. At 63, he is no longer the singer he was. Once venerated for his lightly soulful vocals, he now sings in a lower, huskier tone after recovering from a vocal polyp in 2014. The backing singers (two female, one male) supported him ably… But mostly he seemed to be singing within himself, as though wary of overexerting his vocal cords.”.
