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Culture April 12, 2025

Benson Boone brings out Queen's Brian May for surprise performance at Coachella

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Coachella's main stage got a jolt of rock royalty on Friday night when Benson Boone welcomed legendary Queen guitarist Brian May during a show-stopping performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The surprise moment marked May's first major public appearance since suffering a stroke just over seven months ago.

Queen guitarist Brian May plays an epic rendition of 'We Are The Champions'

The iconic guitarist appeared mid-song to perform his signature solo.

"Please give it up for Queen guitarist Brian May," Boone told the crowd.

PHOTO: Benson Boone performs during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club, on April 11, 2025, in Indio, Calif.
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
Benson Boone performs during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club, on April 11, 2025, in Indio, Calif.

May briefly left the stage before returning to jam alongside Boone and guitarist Sus Vasquez, then stayed on to perform Boone's hit single "Beautiful Things."

The unexpected collaboration was teased earlier in the day when May posted a photo with Boone on Instagram, calling him a "truly golden 22-year-old prodigy" and adding, "I'm proud and happy to say we are now officially pals."

Boone's set was livestreamed as part of Coachella's YouTube coverage, giving fans at home a front-row seat to one of the weekend's most buzzed-about moments.