Music & Concerts
Boy George on new Culture Club album, Wolf Trap concert July 18 and his affinity for astrology
Pop legend prepping new band record for fall release
Boy George plays Wolf Trap July 18. (Photo courtesy of Wolf Trap)
Boy George has never been one to fade away.
Since he first appeared on the music scene as the gender-bending, eccentric Culture Club frontman in 1981, George has commanded attention from his fan base, his peers, like his good friend Cyndi Lauper, and the media.
Now, Culture Club is releasing “Tribes,” their first album in nearly 20 years, this fall. According to George, the long-awaited release is “the best record we’ve ever made.” While fans wait a couple more months for new tunes, they can get their Culture Club fix during the band’s the “Life Tour” stop at Wolf Trap which includes the B-52s and the Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey (show details are here).
George took a break from recording and touring to chat with the Blade about his passion for astrology, the dangers of social media and just why it took Culture Club almost two decades to release a new album.
WASHINGTON BLADE: Culture Club is going to be releasing new music for the first time in nearly 20 years. Was there pressure to release new music?
BOY GEORGE: A lot of it has just been that we weren’t working together. The fact that there was a 20 year gap was just accidental. We’re a funny band because we never really split up. We never hated each other at all. We just drifted apart. I was doing my own thing and they were doing whatever they were doing having kids, getting arrested. It’s just one of those things. It’s so weird the way things pan out. This particular record has been probably about five or six years in preparation and then some more problems came up. Not really insurmountable problems, really, just where the band was going. I was looking for a new manager. We disagreed on who was going to be the manager. Jon [Moss], Roy [Hay] and Mikey [Craig] ended up going off with someone else and I found myself a great manager and that’s really what made it work. If you’d had said to me 20 years ago “There’s going to be a point in history where you’ll have two managers” I would have just laughed at you. But, actually, it really works. It’s just a funny thing because all that stuff gets in the way of the most important thing and that is the creativity. It’s really nice that we’re now mixing the record. Every day we’re getting mixes in and I think it’s the best record we’ve ever made.
BLADE: What aspects of recording with Culture Club do you prefer over recording independently?
BOY GEORGE: It’s a very different process. You have to be much more tolerant. I think recording is always free flowing even when you make your own record. You’re still working with people that you respect and love. You let people do their thing. I’m sure there are other musicians who are very controlling and they know what they want. But whenever I go into the studio I know what the song is but I never really know completely where I want it to go. I let a lot of it happen in the moment. I think that’s what makes recording exciting. I would say the same process applies to Culture Club. This time we worked with two young producers and they definitely brought something unique to what we were doing. I really was excited by what they contributed. I would say they were probably more controlling than we were. Bands are crazy and we have no sense of time. Rock and roll people don’t do time. I’ve never worn a watch in my life. I’ve been given some really expensive watches for free but I’ve never really worn one. I think the producer’s job is to come and just control the whole thing and say “OK, we’re going to go this way.” In my experience, recording sessions have always been very respectful, free flowing. It’s just a very open environment. In fact, probably the most fun thing I do is recording. I think that I would probably spend my life in the studio but that wouldn’t be particularly practical.
BLADE: I don’t know if you’re into astrology at all but you’re a Gemini and your persona appears to have a duality to it. Have you found that to be a blessing or a curse?
BOY GEORGE: First of all, I’m one of those people always talking about star signs. People are like “Shut up!” I’ve always got a lot to say about people’s star signs and how people are so typical of their star signs. I think that’s very true. I think that I’m also very typical of my star sign in the sense that I’m always of two minds about everything. I can come off stage and I could have had a really great show but I’ll also be moany about it. It’s that thing of like the twins and split personality that’s very much a part of who I am. Sometimes people perceive it wrongly. We [Geminis] are called two-faced but we are able to see both sides of every situation. It has nothing to do with being two-faced. We’re very sure about what we feel. But we’re also open to having our minds changed and I think that’s where people get confused about Gemini. So I think that I’m a typical Gemini.
BLADE: Concert culture is very different from when you first started out. Now, people are on their phones recording or taking photos when an act is on stage. How do you feel about that?
BOY GEORGE: I think it’s fascinating. The last couple shows we’ve done I pointed out people in the front row without phones. I actually made a big thing and said, “Look there are people in the front row without phones. Impossible.” I’m one of those people that believe that people having that attitude all the time is pretty unhealthy. So, there are lots of times when I don’t take my phone with me to dinner. I try not to sit on it all the time. I try to go outside into nature, take a walk. There is a sense that people are having a third party experience with everything that they do and it’s a little bit sad. It’s harder to dance when you’ve got an iPhone in your hand. It’s harder to really let go. I think people are just obsessed with these things. But you’ve also got to let people have the show they want to have. You have to let people have fun on their own terms. So, I’m not one of these people who gets annoyed. I’ve absolutely done it. I’ve stopped shows before, a long, long time ago. And then I turned a corner and was like “You can’t control this. This is not important. This is just going to get in the way.” So I just stopped doing it. It worries me sometimes when people around me just all they do is look at their phones. You know, followers and likes are not for money. It doesn’t mean anything. I come from a time when artists made a cultural impact through the things they said and did. That interests me far more than how many people have liked my photo. But I also know it’s a part of life and a modern phenomenon. I love the aspect that I can say “Happy birthday” to someone in Vietnam or Australia and I can talk to fans in a direct way. It’s all about getting it into perspective, I think.
Culture Club is (from left) Mikey Craig, Boy George, Jon Moss and Roy Hay. (Photo by Dean Stockings)
BLADE: You’re such a vet in this industry but what’s the most recent industry lesson you’ve learned?
BOY GEORGE: Nobody knows what they’re doing. That’s what I’ve learned. My life policy is basically we’re all clinging to a rock but some of us have a better grip than others. The more I’m in this business the more I’ve realized that with music, we are one of the most creative industries in the world, and yet some of the people running it are deeply uncreative. And I think that’s why live music has become so important for artists like me because it’s the one place where you’re completely in charge. You’re completely authentic even though I hate that word. It’s such a buzz word. But you are in charge. This is me, this is my music. Nobody’s in the way. I love the spontaneity of live shows because it’s really the last place where nobody can pretend to be you. Nobody really gets in your way. I love that and that’s why I think live shows are the best. It’s so great to be in a situation where you can just be yourself.
Photo of Boy George performing at Wolf Trap with Culture Club on August 10, 2015. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Queer mega stars coming to D.C. this fall
Indigo Girls, Charli XCX, Doja Cat headed our way
As D.C. enters the fall season, LGBTQ performers and allies will take the stage. This fall’s lineup is massive and diverse, from rock to electronic dance music.
Ryan Beatty, a gay musical artist, will bring his show, “Arms Over Armor North American Tour ’26” to the Lincoln Theater (1215 U St. N.W.) in D.C. on Sep. 26, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets go for $43.15 per attendee. Visit https://www.thelincolndc.com/#block-3 for more information.
All Things Go Music Festival: A major lineup of allies, including Mitski, Ethal Cain, Rebecca Black, Underscores, and many more. The festival, known for being LGBTQ-friendly, will take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, Md.) from Sept. 26-28. Visit allthingsgofestival.com for tickets and details.
Bisexual singer Charli XCX will bring her “Music, Fashion, Film Tour” to Capital One Area (601 F St, N.W.) in D.C. on Sep. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go from $102 – $500. capitalonearena.com for more info.
Bisexual artist Phoebe Bridgers will bring her “The Lost Tour 2026” to Capital One Arena on Sep. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go from $157-$500.
Power To the People Festival, another fantastic festival will take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, Md.). It will feature LGBTQ artists and allies, such as Bruce Springsteen and Brittney Howard. The festival is on Oct. 3 and doors open at 12 p.m.
Anabel Englund, calls herself a “heterosexual ally” on Instagram. She will perform at the Diplo’s Glow Block Party at Echo Stage (2135 Queens Chapel Road, N.E.) in D.C., Oct. 3. Doors Open at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $106-$154.
Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are the two lesbian singers who make up the Indigo Girls, one of the most recognizable folk duos who have sold more than 2 million albums with two singles: “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears” alone. Both will be performing at the Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) in D.C. on Oct. 4. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Grateful Drag, featuring PLUS 1, will take place at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) in D.C. on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
Lauren Sanderson is a lesbian and queer performer with viral tracks that include “GAY 4 ME” (with G Flip). She will bring her “COME SAY SUM TOUR” to the Alantis (2047 9th St., N.W.) in D.C. on Oct. 15.
Steve Lacy, a bisexual artist, will bring his “Oh yeah?” tour to the Anthem on Oct. 18. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m.
Washington Concert Opera‘s ARMIDA, staring Daniel Laucerica, Andrew Wilkowske, and Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, will take place at the Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.) in D.C. on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.
Yebba, a bisexual and queer artist, is a singer and songwriter within the genre of contemporary music who has performed alongside Ed Sheeran, Drake, and A$AP Rocky. Yebba will perform on Oct. 31 at the Anthem. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m.
Brutalismus 3000 is a longtime LGBTQ ally. They will bring their “Harmony US Tour 2026” show to Echo Stage on Nov. 13 at 10 p.m. Tickets range from $48-$66.
The Washington National Opera Orchestra will feature Andrea Gibson, a queer, nonbinary, and genderqueer poet/spoken-word artist, who will perform “Andrea Gibson’s Love Letter from the Afterlife” on Nov. 17 at the Anthem. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Doja Cat, a bisexual artist who previously worked with Laurel Charleston, a trans women makeup artist, will bring her “Ma Vie World Tour” to Capital One Arena on Nov. 21. The show is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets range from $69-$316.
Victoria Monét: A bisexual R&B singer and a three-time Grammy winner, will bring her Frequency of Love Tour to the Anthem on Nov. 27 at 8 p.m.
Music & Concerts
DJ Chanel Santini is bringing the heat and some gender-fluid diversity to XBIZ Miami
Pool party celebrates most charismatic personalities, creative artists in adult entertainment
Chanel Santini has crossed over to being a DJ, performing at clubs all over the country. Now known as Santini, they will be making music and hyping the pool party, DJ-ing at XBIZ, the conference for adult creators and digital players, in Miami.
Taking place on Monday to Wednesday, the event honors the most charismatic personalities and creative artists in entertainment.
“I am honestly so excited — getting to DJ in Miami Beach is literally a DJ’s dream!” Santini told the Los Angeles Blade.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity because I haven’t been around my industry peers in a long time. It’s a great event to network and show off the new me!” said Santini.
While Santini is unsure what music they will be playing, they want everyone to have a good time. “My goal is to ignite the dance floor and play great music that everyone will vibe to. My sound includes house music, bass house, tech house, and I always like to throw a little bit of hip-hop in my sets.”
Santini loves how DJ-ing brings people together.
“Music really ignites us all! It is so universal, no matter what language you speak. I think it’s the best high in the world when you play a banger track, and everybody on the dance floor screams loudly. You can’t describe that feeling until you’re up there on that stage.”
Santini describes DJs as the “modern rock stars” in today’s world.
“I always feel like such a superstar when I’m up on that stage. The best feeling is after my set when I have people come up to me and say, ‘Thank you for sharing that amazing music.’ That’s how you know that you’re a good DJ — I love when I get those types of compliments!”
While sometimes it’s hard to please everyone’s musical tastes, Santini endeavors to try! “You just have to go out there and give it your all and be the best DJ that you can be,” he noted.
Santini, who had previously identified as transgender, recently decided to transition back to being gender fluid.
“It’s definitely been a journey, but I’m definitely happier in my own skin now than I was. I don’t go by he/him pronouns. I don’t go by they/them either. I guess I just really don’t have a preference. Whatever you see me as is your opinion. I’ve learned over the years that I’m not trying to be one specific thing. I’m just Santini. I’m just me.”
Santini acknowledged they felt respected more when dressed as a woman.
“I think it’s just because femininity runs the world. When I started to de-transition, I felt like I had to just be a boy all the time. But I’ve realized over the years that I don’t need to stick to one specific thing. I am always gonna be feminine, and that’s OK.”
Recently, Santini has been embracing their feminine side more.
“I definitely feel more comfortable in female presentation, and more powerful when I’m on stage dressed as Chanel. I love DJ-ing in drag because there are so many straight male DJs in the world. It’s almost like a superhero when he puts on his cape! I think it makes me confident and stand out more as an artist.”
And because Santini loves makeup and fashion, they can incorporate that into their sets. “I’m not just bringing you good vibes and good music. I’m bringing you a show/ production!”
Santini is already working on big plans for the future.
“I’m opening up for a huge Pride block party in my hometown, Albuquerque, N.M., on June 12 and 13. It’s a two day festival and I’m super excited for this opportunity. I’m even hiring backup dancers and a choreographer.”
Santini plans to go “all out” for this show.
“It’s gonna be the biggest crowd that I’ve ever played for,” Santini enthused. “I’m putting my heart and soul into this performance, especially because it’s Pride in my hometown, and that means so much to me. I know the younger me would be so proud.”
Santini remembers going to Pride when they were younger and telling themself they couldn’t wait to be up on that stage.
“I’m truly living my dream right now, and I’m so excited for the future. The last 10 years of being in the adult entertainment business have been great and have given me major success. But I always knew that I didn’t want to be in this industry for long.”
Santini acknowledged that, in the recent past, it was a struggle.
“I’ve been trying to find myself and figure out what I wanna do next with my life. Now that I’ve found this passion for DJ-ing, it makes me want to go far in this business.”
In addition to being a DJ/artist, Santini is starting college next semester.
“I’m gonna get my degree in audio engineering,” Santini enthused. “I can’t wait to start producing my own tracks. I especially can’t wait till the day I’m headlining a major festival! I know with a little bit of patience and hard work that I can get there! I just have to continue believing in myself.”
Santini wanted to thank all of their fans for their support. “Truly, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to fund my art in the way that I have. I’m truly grateful. And I’m excited for the future!”
Music & Concerts
Gaga, Cardi B, and more to grace D.C. stages this spring
Shake off your winter doldrums at a local concert
D.C. shakes off its winter blues this spring as the music scene pops off. We all know the big star is coming: Lady Gaga will perform at Capital One Arena on March 23. But plenty of other stars, big and small, will grace D.C. stages, including many LGBTQ and ally artists.
March
3/15, 9:30 Club, St. Lucia – Indie electronic music project known for its synth-pop sound, which blends ‘80s influences with electronic and indie rock elements.
3/31, Lincoln Theatre, Perfume Genius – Indie/pop singer/songwriter Mike Hadreas, also known as Perfume Genius, has toured with a full band, but he is stripping things back for this tour.
April
4/8, Capital One, Cardi B. Cardi B, from New York, unapologetic and proud, is the first solo female artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. This year, she’s on her Little Miss Drama Tour, in support of her second studio album, “Am I the Drama?”
4/13, Lincoln Theatre, The Naked Magicians. Australia’s The Naked Magicians are two performers who deliver live magic and laughs while wearing nothing but a top hat and a smile.
4/18, Capital One, Florence and the Machine. Longstanding indie rock back from Great Britain, much-loved for lead singer Florence’s powerful vocals. On their Everybody Scream Tour.
4/16, Capital One, Demi Lovato. Singer/songwriter from Texas, who came out as nonbinary, is traveling on her “It’s Not That Deep Tour.”
4/21, The Anthem, Calum Scott. Platinum-selling gay singer/songwriter Calum Scott released his latest project, Avenoir, last year. Scott rose to fame in 2015 after competing on Britain’s Got Talent, where he performed a cover of Robyn’s hit “Dancing on My Own“.
4/26, Atlantis, Caroline Kingsbury. American queer pop musician from Los Angeles. She released her debut album in 2021, and has two additional EPs. She’s played Lollapalooza 2025 and All Things Go 2025, as well as gone on a co-headlining U.S. tour with MARIS. Shock Treatment is her latest EP.
4/26, Anthem, Raye. This bisexual artist, known for her current chart-topping “”Where Is My Husband!” single, blends pop, jazz, R&B, and more.
4/30, Union Stage, Daya. This bisexual singer/songwriter is on her “Til Every Petal Drops Tour,” touring the album of the same name that was released last year.
May
5/1, The Anthem, Joost Klein. Eurovision comes to D.C. in Joost Klein: Originally a Youtuber, he was selected to represent the Netherlands at Eurovision in 2024 with his song “Europapa.” He released a new album on New Year’s Day.
5/1, Fillmore, MIKA. MIKA is on his Spinning Out Tour. Born in Beirut and raised in both Paris and London, MIKA sings in multiple languages and has co-hosted Eurovision.
5/7, 9:30 Club, COBRAH. Clara Christensen, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, record producer, and club queen, making electronic dance music.
5/19, Atlantis, Grace Ives. New York-born singer/songwriter, known for her high-energy synth/electronic, bedroom-pop-style music.
June
6/2, The Anthem, James Blake. English crooner got big from his self-titled debut album in 2011. He won two Grammys and just released his 7th album,Trying Times, in March.
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