Benson Boone Queen Coachella Moment: Why the Internet Is Still Mad

So, here’s the thing about Coachella. You go there for the vibes, the desert heat, and the inevitable "where were you" moments that people will be talking about on TikTok for the next three years. But during the 2025 festival, something weird happened. Benson Boone, the guy basically everyone has had on repeat since "Beautiful Things" blew up, decided to swing for the fences. He didn’t just play his hits; he brought out a literal god of rock.

I’m talking about Sir Brian May. Yes, the guy from Queen.

What followed was a performance that was equal parts legendary and, frankly, a little awkward because of the crowd. If you weren’t watching the livestream or baking in the Indio sun that Friday, you missed a bizarre collision of Gen Z pop energy and 70s rock royalty.

The Benson Boone Queen Coachella Performance That Divided the Desert

Benson Boone didn't just walk onto that stage; he practically exploded onto it. He’s known for those insane backflips and high-octane vocals, but the vibe shifted when he appeared draped in a heavy fur cloak. It was a dead ringer for the iconic ermine-fur ensemble Freddie Mercury wore back in 1986. Honestly, the theater of it all was peak Coachella.

He sat down at the piano, the opening chords of "Bohemian Rhapsody" rang out, and for a second, it felt like 1975 again. But the real kicker? When it came time for that legendary guitar solo, Brian May rose up from the stage on a platform.

It was his first major live appearance since suffering a minor stroke in late 2024. Just seven months prior, the man couldn't even move his left arm. Now, he’s shredding in the middle of a desert for a bunch of 20-somethings in crochet tops. It should have been the loudest moment of the weekend.

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Why the Crowd "Failed the Vibe Check"

Here’s where it gets kinda messy. When Benson screamed, “Brian May, everybody!”... the reaction was... quiet. Like, "did they not hear him?" quiet.

The internet absolutely lost its mind over this. TikTok was flooded with videos of people at home screaming at their screens because the live audience looked like they were waiting for a Starbucks order. It felt like a massive generational gap caught on 4K cameras.

• The Demographics: Coachella has pivoted hard toward "trendy" social media artists.
• The Legend Factor: While May is a Hall of Famer, a huge chunk of the 2025 crowd seemingly didn't recognize the guy who literally helped invent the sound of modern stadium rock.
• The Recovery: Knowing May worked his way back from a stroke to be there makes the "meh" reaction from the front row feel even stingier.

Benson Boone actually took to TikTok himself later that weekend to roast the crowd. He posted a video singing into a banana (classic Benson) with a caption about trying to get Coachella to understand the "cultural impact" of the man standing next to him.

Is Benson Boone the New Freddie Mercury?

People have been making this comparison since Benson first grew out that mustache and started wearing the sparkly jumpsuits. It’s an easy link to make. They both have that "theatrical-but-gritty" vocal style, and they both know how to command a massive stage without looking like they’re trying too hard.

But Benson has been pretty vocal about wanting to be his own thing. In a Rolling Stone interview right before his Coachella set, he mentioned he doesn't want to be a carbon copy of Harry Styles or Freddie Mercury. He’s just... Benson.

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His performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody" wasn't a karaoke bit. He took the song, threw in some of his signature flips, and kept his own vocal identity. Even Queen’s official social media accounts gave him the seal of approval, commenting on his post that he "did great." When Brian May calls you a "golden 22-year-old prodigy," you’ve basically won the game.

Beyond the Covers: The "American Heart" Era

Coachella wasn't just about paying tribute to the past, though. Benson used the massive platform to announce his second album, American Heart.

He described the new sound as "retro Americana" and very "Bruce Springsteen." It’s a bit of a pivot from the straight-up pop-rock of Fireworks & Rollerblades, but it makes sense. If you’re hanging out with Brian May and jet-setting with rock legends, you’re probably going to start leaning into that classic, gritty sound.

The title track, which he debuted right there in the desert, has a much more "heartland" feel to it. It’s clear he’s trying to bridge that gap between being a "TikTok singer" and a "Legacy artist."

What This Means for Future Music Festivals

The "Benson Boone Queen Coachella" moment is actually a pretty interesting case study for where music is at right now. We’re seeing this weird tension where the artists on stage have a massive respect for music history, but the audiences are increasingly focused on the next 15-second soundbite.

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May wasn't just a guest; he stayed on stage to help Benson close out the set with "Beautiful Things." Seeing a 77-year-old rock icon playing the guitar part to a viral 2024 hit was surreal. It was a literal passing of the torch.

What you can take away from this:

• Watch the Livestreams: Sometimes the "vibe" on the ground is way different than the historical significance of the performance.
• Give Credit where it's Due: If you’re at a festival and a legend appears, even if they aren't on your "Daily Mix," show some respect for the recovery and the craft.
• Keep an eye on June 20: That’s when American Heart drops, and based on the Coachella teaser, it’s going to be much more "rock" than people expect.

Benson Boone proved he can hang with the greats. Now, he just needs to hope his audience catches up to his record collection.

Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see the full impact of that performance, go find the pro-shot video of the "Beautiful Things" finale with Brian May. It’s way better than the grainy TikTok clips, and you can actually hear May’s guitar tone cutting through the desert air. Then, mark your calendar for the American Heart release to see if the Springsteen influence holds up throughout the whole record.