'Adele and Ed Sheeran are probably the only real organic artists left': Boy George bemoans at how 'prefabricated' modern pop stars are ahead of his Australian tour 

Boy George has gained new prominence as a judge on The Voice UK, introducing him to a new generation and helping him recover from his chequered past.

It may come as a surprise then, and with no small amount of irony, that he views the modern pop music industry with some disdain.

The controversial androgynous singer believes today’s young stars are too shaped and prefabricated, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that Adele and Ed Sheeran are ‘probably the only real organic artists’ left.

Not real: Boy George believes today’s young stars are too shaped and prefabricated, saying Adele and Ed Sheeran are ‘probably the only real organic artists’ left. Pictured in concert in the U.S. on Wednesday

Not real: Boy George believes today’s young stars are too shaped and prefabricated, saying Adele and Ed Sheeran are ‘probably the only real organic artists’ left. Pictured in concert in the U.S. on Wednesday

The Culture Club frontman made a name for himself in the 1980s, but his idea of music’s golden age was the decade earlier which he grew up in, that stands in contrast to today.

‘Everything is quite formulaic now, it's almost like we all know the way it works. Back in the '70s we all believed there was a wizard behind the curtain,’ he said.

‘The bean-counters hadn't quite worked out what the formula was so artists were allowed to invent themselves, reinvent themselves, make it up as they went along. There were no hard-and-fast rules.’

While the star said he envied the new generation, he also feared he may not enjoy the experience – perhaps even the ones on his show. 

Golden '70s: ‘Everything is quite formulaic now, it's almost like we all know the way it works. Back in the '70s we all believed there was a wizard behind the curtain,’ he said

Golden '70s: ‘Everything is quite formulaic now, it's almost like we all know the way it works. Back in the '70s we all believed there was a wizard behind the curtain,’ he said

Glory days: George (third from left) made a name for himself as the lead singer of Culture Club, pictured here in the early 1980s when it had a series of big hits

Glory days: George (third from left) made a name for himself as the lead singer of Culture Club, pictured here in the early 1980s when it had a series of big hits

In the lengthy interview, he also compared David Bowie to Kim Kardashian as an example of the difference between artists and what passed for modern celebrity.

The 54-year-old knows a thing or two about sudden fame and the havoc it can play on those caught up in it.

After a string of huge hits in the early ‘80s with Culture Club, George became more famous for his drinking and drug addiction.

The band broke up in 1986 and George began a mostly unsuccessful solo career while frequently battling his addiction.

He has been sober for eight years - swapping drugs, alcohol and even meat, cigarettes and sugar for meditation. 

The fall: After a string of huge hits in the early ‘80s with Culture Club, George became more famous for his drinking and drug addiction. Pictured here at Wembley Stadium in 1998

The fall: After a string of huge hits in the early ‘80s with Culture Club, George became more famous for his drinking and drug addiction. Pictured here at Wembley Stadium in 1998

Worse alone: The band broke up in 1986 and George began a mostly unsuccessful solo career while frequently battling his addiction

Worse alone: The band broke up in 1986 and George began a mostly unsuccessful solo career while frequently battling his addiction

George has reformed Culture Club, with a new album released earlier this year, and is currently on a tour of the U.S. and due to hit Australia next month. 

The Australian Culture Club tour starts in Adelaide on June 6 and will play six gigs around the country in a week.

George will also perform a DJ set on the rooftop terrace of Darling Harbour's Café Del Mar on June 12 as part of Sydney’s Vivid Festival, limited to only 500 tickets.

Back on track: He has been sober for eight years - swapping drugs, alcohol and even meat, cigarettes and sugar for meditation. Pictured here in 1998

Back on track: He has been sober for eight years - swapping drugs, alcohol and even meat, cigarettes and sugar for meditation. Pictured here in 1998

‘I’m so excited to be performing alongside these amazing Sydney light shows,’ he said in a statement. ‘I’ve seen the photography from across the globe so it’s going to be a special moment for me.’

George remarked to the SMH how much his gigs have changed since Culture Club’s heyday and when he grew up seeing shows in the ‘70s – especially that now parents attend shows alongside their kids.

‘My mother would never have driven me to a concert and picked me up – it was like “you're on your own kid, here's your bus fare, f*** off”,’ he said.

He's back: George has reformed Culture Club, with a new album released earlier this year, and is currently on a tour of the U.S. and due to hit Australia next month. Pictured at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival

He's back: George has reformed Culture Club, with a new album released earlier this year, and is currently on a tour of the U.S. and due to hit Australia next month. Pictured at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival

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