Benson Boone’s ‘American Heart’ tour sold out three nights at London’s O2 Arena, and the second night was nothing short of mystical and magical. His ability to merge emotion and playfulness all into one show solidified his pure star power and is enough to prove that he is one of pop’s most magnetic performers. From signature stunts to his surprise encore featuring Queen guitarist Bria
The first set opened with Benson in a dark red, gem-studded one-piece, the star motif on his chest catching the arena lights. He immediately launched into ‘I Wanna Be the One You Call’, with fans locked into his every move, before moving through ‘Wanted Man’ and ‘Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else’, each track showcasing his skill of balancing vulnerability with control and an unmatchable stage presence.
‘Man in Me’ and ‘Drunk in My Mind’ lifted the energy to higher levels, yet the set’s first show-stopping moment came during ‘Slow it Down’. Beginning at the piano, Benson built the chorus to a dramatic climax, climbed atop the instrument, and backflipped off. The effortlessness of the move and the ability to go straight back into his exceptional vocals left the crowd mesmerised. He closed the set with ‘Be Someone’, a soaring anthem that balanced spectacle with intimacy.
Moving swiftly into the second set with an instrumental break from his band, Benson remained in the same outfit, but this time took theatrics to new heights (literally) by being airborne on a chandelier. This was for ‘Mystical Magical’, and the whole track definitely lived up to its title, then coming down onto the B-Stage for ‘Pretty Slowly’.
Before performing ‘In the Stars’, he delivered a heartfelt speech, illuminating how the song may be about his life and experiences, but it’s for the audience to relate to and make their own. The way in which he was able to connect with his audience on a deeply personal level during this made it one of the main moments from the entire show.
A medley of ‘Let Me Go / There She Goes / Sugar Sweet’ brought a nostalgic energy, a silent nod to the fans who have been with him since the beginning, while ‘Take Me Home’ continued the more emotional tone.
The final set marked a shift in both tone and style. Benson emerged in a black, slightly bedazzled two-piece with an open waistcoat, trousers, and a silver belt. It perfectly matched the vibe of the songs that followed. ‘Young America Heart’ was accompanied by a confetti cannon, streaming hues of red, white, and blue to represent the U.S. flag. He then moved into ‘Mr Electric Blue’, the visuals matching the colour named.
When fans realised that his usual surprise cover, which was meant to come next, hadn’t appeared, excitement slightly turned into anxious whispers, many believing that the show had skipped the newly-found tradition. In its place, Benson continued with the setlist: ‘Momma Song’ being next. Performing this on the B-stage, with his band next to him and accompanied by childhood videos playing on the big screen behind, the tone turned back to that of sincerity, depth, and resonance. ‘Love of Mine’, ‘Reminds Me of You,’ and ‘Cry’ all matched this.
The encore was pure theatrical flair. Benson returned on stage in a long, regal fur cloak - a playful hint at the surprise awaiting his fans - before revealing a sparkling one-piece underneath. The arena erupted as he performed ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ for his “forgotten” surprise cover. What made this moment even more perfect was the appearance of Brian May for a stunning collaboration. His voice and Brian’s instrumental skill intertwined to blend Benson’s youthful intensity with the legendary guitar. They close with ‘Beautiful Things’, a triumphant finale that fused pop emotion with rock grandeur.
Flips off pianos and suspended chandeliers. Bright lights to montages of memories. Intimate B-Stage moments and skips down the runway. And, of course, surprise rock icons. All of this in Boone’s second O2 performance proved he’s more than a rising star - he’s a performer capable of commanding a massive arena while making it feel profoundly personal.
Overall, the night was a clear reminder that every detail, from set lists to speeches to wardrobe, is a chance for him to connect with fans and create a show they’ll never forget.
Lily Howard
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