Benson Boone, 22, has been called the breakout singer-songwriter of 2023. His extraordinary debut performance on April 11 at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The budding superstar had called the original Queen guitarist to join him for their famous collaboration. At 77 years old, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer turned this moment into a peak for the artist’s still-burgeoning career. Boone’s rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a classic originally performed by Queen, was particularly striking as he channeled the spirit of the late Freddie Mercury, May’s iconic bandmate.
Boone’s performance marked a career high for the singer, who expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to share the stage with such a musical icon. Boone was particularly thrilled to share the stage with May. He found himself crestfallen when the rest of the festival audience didn’t accept their joint performance in the way he had imagined. In this spirit, he was disappointed by the tepid response. As payback to the audience, he then proceeded to troll them with a May cardboard cutout during his second appearance at Coachella.
With its mischievous face and wavering nature, the cardboard cutout quickly grew into a comedic centerpiece— especially after it blew over three times in the wind. Boone used the prop to bait the crowd with their initial response. With a tongue-in-cheek dare, he encouraged them to enjoy the moment of having a musical icon like May sharing the same stage.
“Me trying to get the crowd at Coachella to understand what an absolute legend Brian May is,” – Benson Boone
Boone’s trip to Coachella wasn’t easy—or safe, for that matter. Just seven months prior to the festival, he experienced a minor stroke. Everything he did to be so successful after suffering such a blow was nothing short of miraculous. It was this same resilience that caught the eye of May, who could only praise Boone’s talent and stage presence.
“I’m still reeling from last night at Coachella,” – Brian May
During their joint act, Boone’s powerful take on “Bohemian Rhapsody” was outlandish with dramatic accoutrement and it made clear just how much vocal talent he has. May was visibly impressed by Boone’s “aeronautics,” an expression of his admiration for the young singer’s artistry. Boone’s ability to capture the essence of Mercury while performing such a beloved song left a lasting impression on both May and the audience.
For Boone, the evening was a rollercoaster of celebration and heartache. While he celebrated his opportunity to perform with one of rock music’s greats, he could not shake off the feeling of being let down by the crowd’s reaction. This inspired his choice to use the cardboard cutout as the center of an elaborate joke throughout his next set.
Boone closed out the night on the Coachella stage with his second Coachella performance. Sadly, May was unable to accompany him as he had flown to Colorado to observe a NASA mission. Even with this cutout no show, Boone kept the audience entertained and involved with the prop cardboard cutout. His mischievous trolling empowered us to celebrate musical icons while they’re still with us. Founders of the genre or not, their contributions to rock history are beyond immeasurable.