Benson Boone Pulls a Prank at Coachella with Brian May Cutout
Benson Boone Pulls a Hilarious Prank at Coachella Weekend Two with Brian May Cardboard Cutout
Last weekend’s Coachella brought a delightful twist on rock royalty when rising star Benson Boone turned to some crafty theatrics to entertain the festival-goers. A week after delivering a memorable rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" with the legendary Brian May himself, Boone returned to the stage during Weekend Two with a special guest that might just be the ultimate conversation starter: a life-sized cardboard cutout of the Queen guitarist.
The prank hilariously underscored Boone’s playful approach to live performance, especially after a not-so-enthusiastic reception from the crowd the previous weekend. "Just wait till you see who I bring up for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ today," teased Boone, setting the tone for the cheeky surprise.
As the song unfolded, Boone, resplendent in a flowing cape, reprised his theatrical flair—kicking off with a grand piano flip. But as he hit the poignant lyric, “I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all,” anticipation built to see who would emerge from the depths of the stage. The reveal? Not the strumming hands of the rock icon himself, but a grinning cardboard version of May, standing palatial and proud.
“Brian May!” Boone exclaimed, pointing at the faux guitarist, as Sus Vasquez, his guitarist, effortlessly took over the iconic guitar solo in May’s absence. The energy in the crowd shifted palpably; laughter and cheers erupted as Boone turned the 2D version of May into a part of the performance, even placing it atop his piano and hugging it during the emotional finale of the song.
Later in his set, the charismatic Boone broke the fourth wall, addressing the audience with a wink: “On Brian’s behalf, he would’ve loved to have been here, but he unfortunately had to fly out. So we came up with that idea, and he sends his love.” It was a heartwarming moment, further solidifying Boone’s ability to connect with fans through humor and charm.
May’s actual appearance at Coachella Weekend One had been a notable comeback following a health scare last year, when he suffered a stroke that temporarily affected his arm mobility. Since then, May has been celebrating life and music, sharing his love for fans on social media, even calling Boone’s set an enriching experience.
Looking ahead, Boone is set to make waves at several major festivals this summer, including Governors Ball and Bourbon & Beyond, while fans eagerly await his sophomore album, American Heart, dropping June 20 via Night Street/Warner.
With his combination of authenticity, humor, and respect for rock legends, Benson Boone is proving to be a force to be reckoned with—one cardboard cutout at a time. Catch a glimpse of his unconventional Coachella magic below.
Watch the performance on TikTok.
For more updates, check out our ongoing Coachella coverage and get ready to rock the summer with Benson Boone!
