The duo performed “Bohemian Rhapsody” together onstage.
Benson Boone delivered one of the most unforgettable surprises of Coachella weekend one—but the crowd didn’t quite catch the memo.
On Friday night (April 11), the 22-year-old “Beautiful Things” singer took the main stage by storm and welcomed none other than Queen guitarist Brian May for a jaw-dropping performance of the legendary band’s 1975 classic, Bohemian Rhapsody. The unexpected collaboration brought two generations of music together—but the crowd’s response? Surprisingly lukewarm.
Boone wasn’t about to let that slide. After the show, he jumped on TikTok to poke fun at the audience’s less-than-enthusiastic reaction with a hilarious video. “Me trying to get the crowd at Coachella to understand what an absolute legend Brian May is and the cultural impact he has on music and THE WORLD,” he captioned the clip. In the video, Boone passionately lip syncs into a banana-shaped microphone, only to stop mid-performance, visibly puzzled by the (imagined) silence around him.
Brian May, however, felt nothing but love. The legendary Queen guitarist took to Instagram the following day to share his gratitude for the magical moment. “I’m still reeling from last night at Coachella,” he wrote, alongside a photo of Boone leaping over him onstage in true rockstar fashion.
“Thanks to all of you folks who made it feel so special — you know who you are !!!! And this particular way of concluding Bohemian Rhapsody will be hard to beat in the years to come !!! Thanks. And for Benson and his entire team, I have no words. I’m awestruck”
Boone echoed the sentiment in his own heartfelt post. “@brianmayforreal I have no words,”
he wrote. “You are easily one of the most legendary musicians of all time and I cannot thank you enough for coming out. Thank you to my band, to my crew, to the design teams, to my managers and friends and family and loved ones that I would not be here without”
He continued, “I can’t wait to come back to Coachella next weekend, thank you for having me, and thank you for everything you do even if it’s just a simple stream. I love this job, I love this life, I love music, and I love the people I have around me. God bless you all.”
Benson Boone will return to the Coachella stage for weekend two on Friday (April 18). Whether or not he brings Brian May back again, it’s safe to say: the crowd better be ready this time.
