All Upcoming Culture Club Dates
- 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28
The vibrant, infectious sounds of the 1980s are set for a dazzling return to the Las Vegas Strip as Boy George and the iconic New Wave band Culture Club announce a limited engagement at The Venetian Theatre inside the Venetian Resort. More than just a concert series, this residency is a celebration of a musical legacy that was—and remains—a potent blend of soul, pop, reggae, and a fashion sensibility that redefined what a global superstar could look like.
About Culture Club
To understand the enduring appeal of this upcoming residency, one must first look back at the cultural seismic shift that Culture Club instigated over four decades ago. Formed in 1981 by singer Boy George (George O’Dowd) and bassist Mikey Craig, later joined by guitarist Roy Hay and drummer Jon Moss, the group was deliberately named Culture Club to acknowledge the diverse ethnic backgrounds of its members—an Irish-Catholic, a Black Briton, a Jewish drummer, and an ethnic Englishman. This diversity, however, was only part of their boundary-breaking appeal.
At the epicenter was Boy George, a charismatic force whose androgynous style of heavy makeup, extravagant hats, and flamboyant clothing instantly captured the media’s attention. In an era where music television was becoming the new kingmaker, George’s look was as compelling as the band’s polished “new wave soul” sound. They were pioneers, presenting a multi-racial band with an openly queer frontman to a mass audience, challenging rigid gender and social norms along the way.
Their meteoric rise was immediate and astonishing. Their debut album, Kissing to Be Clever (1982), delivered the international smash hit, “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” The song, with its smooth reggae rhythm and George’s emotionally raw, soulful vocals, shot to number one in multiple countries and became a top ten hit in the US. They achieved a rare feat, becoming the first group since The Beatles to have three Top 10 hits in America from a debut album, with “Time (Clock of the Heart)” and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” following the initial success.
The band’s second album, Colour by Numbers (1983), solidified their global domination. It featured what would become their signature anthem and a definitive song of the decade, “Karma Chameleon.” The track was a phenomenon, topping the charts in 16 countries, including both the UK and US, where it was a multi-million-selling single. The album sold over 10 million copies worldwide, showcasing the band’s masterful fusion of pop hooks with a blue-eyed soul warmth. Further hits like “Church of the Poison Mind” and “It’s a Miracle” cemented their status as a powerhouse, leading to a 1984 GRAMMY Award for Best New Artist.
While the band’s commercial peak was dazzlingly high, their initial run was fraught with internal tensions and George’s struggles with addiction, which were highly publicized. By 1986, after four albums and a host of global hits, the group disbanded. Boy George transitioned into a successful solo career as a recording artist and renowned DJ, later finding acclaim in theatre.
However, the magnetic pull of their classic material proved irresistible, and Culture Club has reunited several times over the decades, reaffirming the timeless quality of their music to new generations. Their sound, a vibrant, polished mix of genres, feels as fresh and relevant now as it did when it first dominated the airwaves.
The Return of the Chameleon: Boy George and Culture Club Light Up the Venetian
Now, the “Karma Chameleon” singers are bringing their revitalized show to the opulence of The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. This limited engagement in March 2026 promises a high-energy performance featuring the group’s classic lineup, Boy George, Mikey Craig, and Roy Hay, alongside an expanded band.
The residency in the intimate, grand setting of The Venetian is the perfect match for the band’s theatrical flair and deep catalog of hits. Attendees can expect a glamorous, hit-packed spectacle, complete with George’s unmistakable, mellifluous voice leading a sing-along through “Miss Me Blind,” “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” and, of course, the vibrant, feel-good bounce of “Karma Chameleon.”
Las Vegas residencies have become the ultimate stage for musical legends to celebrate their careers, and for Boy George and Culture Club, it represents a triumphant, full-circle moment. It’s an invitation to relive the effervescent style and universal heartbreak captured in their songs, a testament to a band that didn’t just make music, but fundamentally changed the face of pop culture. For fans old and new, this is an unmissable chance to tumble for the infectious charm of one of music’s most enduring acts.