Brian May Joins Benson Boone at Coachella for a Royal Rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Coachella 2025 got a seismic jolt of rock royalty Thursday night when Brian May—yes, the Brian May—rose from beneath the stage to unleash the solo heard ‘round the world. In what is already being hailed as one of the most unforgettable moments in the festival’s history, the Queen guitarist joined Benson Boone for a spine-tingling performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
It began with a choir crooning the operatic opening lines as Boone, dressed in a regal cape and sequined spandex (naturally), approached a grand piano to deliver the song’s early verses. But this wasn’t going to be your typical Queen tribute. Midway through, Boone flipped off the piano—yes, literally—before belting out Mercury’s legendary lyrics with theatrical flair. And just as the crowd braced for the guitar solo, the stage exploded with lights and May emerged, Red Special in hand, to shred through one of the most iconic solos in rock history.
“Brian May, everybody!” Boone shouted, clearly reveling in the moment alongside the rock icon. The duo powered through the rest of the track, with May’s searing riffs blending seamlessly into Boone’s energetic, heartfelt vocals.
May stuck around for Boone’s final number, the chart-topping ballad “Beautiful Things,” which the 22-year-old singer said had “changed my life this year.” With fireworks lighting the sky and Boone flipping through fire bursts like a gymnast-turned-glam rocker, the set closed with pure spectacle.
Earlier that day, May hinted at the collaboration with a cheeky Instagram post: “Look who I bumped into on the way to the fabled Palm Springs. Maybe something will happen?!” Alongside Boone, he posed on a flight en route to the desert festival, subtly teasing the surprise. In a follow-up post, May praised Boone as a “truly golden 22-year-old prodigy,” adding, “proud and happy to say we are now officially pals.”
The performance was more than just a generational crossover—it was a ceremonial passing of the rock ‘n’ roll torch, set to a timeless anthem that refuses to age.
