Photo by Adam P. Salsman

On Sunday, August 2, 2015, Parlour Bells enjoyed the distinct honor of performing as the supporting act for a newly reformed Culture Club featuring all four of its original core members (Boy George, Mikey Craig, Jon Moss, Roy Hay) at Boston’s Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in the City’s thriving Seaport district. In a strange coincidence, Parlour Bells singer and principal songwriter Goddamn Glenn learned about the booking via group text message as he was making his way to the Pavilion to catch The Smashing Pumpkins / Marilyn Manson concert 5 days before the Culture Club show would take place. The 2014 Boston Music Awards nominee for Live Artist of the Year, Parlour Bells leapt at the opportunity to open for the iconic, New Romantic legends most famously known for their hits “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” “Time (Clock of the Heart)” and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.”

The band welcomed its cadre of faithful photographers to the event and helped secure them access to the Pavilion’s photo pit as a token of thanks for all their coverage over the years. Below are some of the photos from Coleman Rogers, Mike Oliver and Adam P. Salsman. 

Photo by Coleman Rogers

Photo by Mike Oliver

Photo by Adam P. Salsman

Parlour Bells delivered a 45 minute set to the gracious and receptive Blue Hills Bank Pavilion crowd. Press from both The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe were in attendance and said of the band’s opening set:

Parlour Bells…a great pick to open for Culture Club and I recommend Live Nation consider the glam demi-gods provide support for any Bowie, Morrissey or Jane’s Addiction shows that come along. — Jed Gottlieb, The Boston Herald

Boston’s own Parlour Bells treated the crowd to a short but lean opening set of theatrical glam rock. Taking a picture of the audience, frontman Goddamn Glenn instructed everyone to say the evening’s unofficial motto: “I’ll tumble for ya.” — James Reed, The Boston Globe

After the performance, Parlour Bells greeted their new fans near the merch area, where they also said hello to Boston DJ and local rock supporter Anngelle Wood, who took in Parlour Bells’ set before jetting off to her shift at 100.7 WZLX where she then kicked off her Boston Emissions program with a block of 4 Parlour Bells songs in celebration of the evening.      

Afterwards, the band took in Culture Club’s fantastic set stageside, and then spent some moments chatting after the show. Backstage, Elvira “Mistress of the Dark” even made a surprise appearance.

During one memorable exchange, Parlour Bells gave legendary frontman Boy George the task of choosing the Culture Club song the band should cover in the future. His response underscored his authenticity and integrity as a songwriter as he suggested that the band cover a lesser known (albeit clearly cherished) song called “Love Is Love” from the 1984 pre-Internet singularity computer/human romance sleeper Electric Dreams. George relayed that while it was a favorite, the song hadn’t received a great deal of attention or airplay over the years. Glenn made a point to queue the song up upon returning home and instantly understood how perfect it was for the band to cover.

Culture Club are set to release their first album of original music in over 15 years with the forthcoming Tribes. Click here to listen to the album’s first single More Than Silence.

Parlour Bells would like to thank Culture Club, their crew, the staff of Blue Hills Bank Pavilion and Live Nation for being tremendously accommodating and helpful to the band, for this historic opportunity, and for a night we will never forget.