Benson Boone’s meteoric rise hit a new high on Friday, April 11, as the 22-year-old singer delivered a jaw-dropping Coachella debut — complete with a surprise appearance by Queen’s legendary guitarist, Brian May.
Just a few years ago, Boone seemed destined to be an American Idol champion — even Katy Perry had him pegged as a frontrunner during season 19. But in a bold move, he walked away from the spotlight of reality TV, determined to chart his own course. That decision paid off. Fast forward to 2024, Boone’s hit “Beautiful Things” cracked the U.S. Top 10, he opened for Taylor Swift in London, and now, he’s headlining one of the world’s biggest festivals with rock royalty by his side.
Boone’s Coachella set had all the drama fans have come to expect — glitzy outfit, gravity-defying backflips, and high-octane vocals. But nothing prepared the crowd for what came next.
Wearing a flowing cape, Boone sat at a grand piano while a choir opened Queen’s iconic Bohemian Rhapsody. Halfway through the performance, he leapt from the piano bench and channeled his inner Freddie Mercury. As the iconic guitar solo kicked in, Brian May himself emerged from below the stage, Stratocaster in hand, and brought the house down with a blistering live solo.
The audience might have taken a moment to register the music legend before them, but social media didn’t miss a beat. TikTok and Twitter exploded with disbelief and admiration. “Why aren’t people LOSING IT over Brian May?” one commenter asked. Another joked, “That crowd didn’t deserve him.”
Despite the lukewarm in-person reaction, the performance was pure rock theater. Boone gave the classic Queen track the grand spectacle it deserved, while May added his signature magic. The two bowed to each other at the end, an intergenerational moment of mutual respect.
One fan summed it up best: “Freddie would’ve loved this.” And based on the night’s energy, it’s hard to disagree.
@bensonboonenation Benson Boone covers Bohemian Rhapsody with Brian May at Coachella #bensonboone #coachella
