Boy George expressed his excitement about headlining Rome’s New Year’s Eve concert on Tuesday night, calling it “great” to be in Rome and highlighting his love of work.
After inspecting the Circus Maximus venue, the 63-year-old “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” artist visited the Campidoglio to meet Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. Standing near a statue of Julius Caesar, he joked, “I’m very excited, and this is really how we should dress.”
“Being in Rome is truly unexpected and incredible, and I’m very happy,” Boy George told ANSA. “It’s always something new, always stimulating. I hadn’t performed live here in about 15 years, although I’ve returned a few times as a DJ. It’s a unique emotion; Italy really is Italy.”
The London-born artist also discussed future projects, including a documentary on Culture Club’s history and another on his life. “I really love working and I never stop. Every now and then someone asks, ‘Aren’t you tired?’ And I reply, ‘You must be tired…'” He added, “I’m working on a biopic, studying, and writing new music. I write every day. For me, it’s like cooking, I have to do it all the time.”
“I’m a prolific singer-songwriter,” he noted. “I’ve released 65 tracks on Spotify, but I don’t stop. It’s an incredible moment of great writing.” He joked, “I haven’t slept since ‘Karma Chameleon’ came out, I’ve been too busy.”
The New Year’s concert at the Circus Maximus also featured Gabry Ponte, Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM), Orchestraccia, and Orchestra Popolare La Notte della Taranta. Mayor Gualtieri called it “a stellar cast.”
The Tony Effe controversy
Boy George addressed the controversy over rapper Tony Effe being dropped from the event due to allegedly offensive and sexist lyrics. George said he learned about the issue online and stressed his support for freedom of expression. “I didn’t know Tony Effe, so I looked him up on YouTube. He seemed like a nice guy who knows what he’s doing,” he said.
Reflecting on the situation, George added, “Art should reflect culture, not necessarily what you think. I don’t believe in singing about hurting others, after all, I sang ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.’ I took a different position. But I’m not a fan of censorship. We’re all adults, after all.”
Tony Effe, recently announced as a contestant in the Sanremo Song Festival, performed at the Palaeur instead.
