Benson Boone at the O2 Arena
Following the release of his album American Heart, Benson Boone’s first world tour has made it to London. After cancelling his Birmingham show due to illness, he’s come back with a bang for the first show of his three-night run at the O2.
The stage extends to reach right out into the crowd, and as soon as he starts, that walkway is used to greet fans all over the venue. The vocals are immediately strong, and the atmosphere is electric as the first few songs play out. During a more stripped-down version of Drunk in My Mind, the artist dives from the stage, singing right to the audience. He moves effortlessly through the Arena, enthusiasm never faltering.
Gliding back and forth along the walkway, Boone commands the space, holding the room’s attention with every movement, and when he steps up to the piano to perform the crowd favourite Slow It Down, they echo every line in unison, torches twinkling across the floor and up to the nosebleed seats.
There’s little downtime in his set. Like a real showman, his stamina and energy are infectious, especially to a group of young fans. At the show’s peak, he pulls out all the stops for Mystical Magical – unsurprising given that it’s the standout track from the new album, and the one that everyone knows. Memorable, if not a little excessive, is the moment that Boone mounts a harnessed chandelier, rising high above the audience as he sings the chorus.
Flipping from high-energy numbers to more emotional ballads, the night continues, punctuated by breaks to speak to the crowd, showing just how grateful he is for the fans that surround him on all sides. After a costume change, the final portion of the evening features new hits from the record, including the title track and Mr Electric Blue. Breaking from the setlist’s intensity, he delivers a rendition of Coldplay’s Sparks, his voice carrying both warmth and remarkable control. To the very end, Benson Boone brings vocal prowess along with his wit and captivating stage presence. Before returning for an encore of Cry, he finishes the set by jumping off stage again to run the entire length of the barricade, hugging fans across the floor.
It’s a performance that’s hard to fault. At a venue as vast as the O2, it’s easy for solo artists to lose connection, but Boone is hypnotic and unmistakably heartfelt.
Daisy Grace Greetham
Photos: McLean Long
For further information and future events, visit Benson Boone’s website here.
Watch the video for Mr Electric Blue here:
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