Boy George Concert at PNE Draws Backlash Over Pro-Israel Song

Boy George and Culture Club are set to perform at Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition this September, but the concert is already drawing controversy.

The British singer has faced growing criticism since releasing an AI-assisted song called “We Will Dance Again,” which includes lyrics expressing support for Israel. The song, released July 26 on X and Instagram, has received both strong criticism and support.

The PNE has confirmed that it has received complaints about the upcoming concert. A small number of people have also asked for refunds, but organizers say they have no plans to cancel the show.

“For 116 years, the PNE has been a place where music and culture have been celebrated and have flourished,” a PNE spokesperson said.

The organization said it takes a strong position against censorship and supports freedom of expression. It also said that concertgoers can decide whether they want to buy tickets to individual performances.

The PNE added that it will work closely with the Vancouver Police Department and its security team to keep visitors and concert attendees safe.

The controversy has also affected Boy George’s other professional commitments. Following the release of the song, he stepped down from his role as King Herod in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar at London’s Palladium and parted ways with his record label manager.

Boy George has also said he would fire band members who refuse to perform the song.

The attention comes decades after Culture Club became one of the biggest pop acts of the 1980s. The group produced major hits including “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” and “Karma Chameleon.” Its second album, Colour by Numbers, sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.

Culture Club split in 1986 but later reunited several times with changing lineups. The band returned to regular performances in 2014 and has since appeared on nostalgia tours and held a Las Vegas residency in 2022.

The current lineup includes Boy George, bassist Mikey Craig and guitarist Roy Hay, along with additional touring musicians.

For the PNE, the decision to keep the concert on the schedule reflects its long-standing policy of allowing artists to perform while leaving audiences to decide whether they want to attend.

The concert is expected to remain one of the more closely watched events in this year’s Summer Night Concerts series.