Boy George and Culture Club appearance at the PNE is sparking controversy

British musician Boy George salutes fans at a performance in Vienna, Austria, in May. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images) Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ /AFP via Getty Images

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British musician Boy George and his band Culture Club are set to play the PNE’s 2026 Summer Night Concerts series at the start of September, and not everybody is happy about it.

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The artist is facing backlash following the release of an AI-assisted single titled We Will Dance Again, which features lyrics expressing solidarity for Israel.

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The pop reggae track has faced strong criticism and support.

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The PNE confirmed they have received complaints about the concert from people like local Chris Simpson, who are upset about the upcoming performance.

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Though there have been a few requests for refunds logged at the office, a PNE spokesperson said they have no plans to cancel the event.

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“For 116 years, the PNE has been a place where music and culture have been celebrated and have flourished. As one of Canada’s leading locations for live music for more than a century, we have hosted literally thousands of artists — from Elvis to the Rolling Stones to the Stars of Drag to Marilyn Manson and now Boy George.”

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The spokesperson said event organizers take a “strong position of non-censorship, adhering to Canada’s protected freedom of expression and our own tradition of allowing the public to decide to a purchase a ticket, or not, to the many shows and events held throughout Hastings Park and its many venues.”

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The fair will work closely with the Vancouver Police Department and its own security team to ensure that all guests of the fair and concerts are safe.

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Since the July 26 release of the single on X and Instagram, Boy George withdrew from his role as King Herod in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium and parted ways with his record label manager. He has gone on record saying that he will fire any bandmates who refuse to play the song.

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The global publicity is more than the singer has seen since the heyday of Culture Club in the early 1980s, when the band had a string of hits such as Do You Really Want to Hurt Me and Karma Chameleon. The band’s second album, Colour by Numbers, sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. The group eventually disbanded in 1986.

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A few reunions followed with different membership, and the band returning to regular performing in 2014. They have appeared on assorted nostalgia bills and had a Las Vegas residency in 2022. Present membership includes Boy George, bassist Mikey Craig and guitarist Roy Hay with additional touring musicians.

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