Additional Coverage:
Coachella Crowd Underwhelmed by Surprise Brian May Appearance
Indio, Calif. — A surprise appearance by Queen guitarist Brian May at Coachella on Friday failed to ignite the crowd as many had expected. May joined singer Benson Boone on stage for a rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but videos circulating on social media show a less-than-enthusiastic audience response.
Boone, 22, introduced the rock legend before launching into a guitar solo. “Brian May, everybody!”
he announced, but the cheers were noticeably muted. Social media users were quick to comment on the crowd’s apparent lack of excitement, with many expressing disbelief that the audience wasn’t more energized by the presence of such an iconic musician.
Some commenters praised May’s performance, contrasting his energy with the perceived apathy of the onlookers.
Boone, who has sometimes been compared to Freddie Mercury for his flamboyant stage presence, recently stated his desire to forge his own unique path in the music industry. While acknowledging influences, he emphasized his individuality in a recent interview.