Standing on the world’s most famous stage, Benson Boone’s four-year-old dream came to life as thousands of voices screamed his lyrics back to him. The American Heart Tour brought him to New York City, where a sold-out Madison Square Garden transformed what once felt impossible into the most unforgettable night of his career.
Boone certainly knows how to make an entrance, flipping his way into “I Wanna Be The One You Call” as if you can taste the adrenaline before expressing his gratitude to the crowd for making his dream come true. The singer choked up during his speech before “Wanted Man,” saying:
“Approximately four years and 172 days ago, I met my manager and we made a goal that we would play Madison Square Garden one day. 1,633 days ago. I cannot tell you how much this means to me. Thank you so much for coming tonight. Thank you. Thank you so much. This is going to be the most memorable night of my life.”
The Washington native curated a perfect setlist — catering to the OG Booners who’ve been with him since his American Idol audition, as well as newcomers drawn in by his iconic “Moonbeam Ice Cream” line. With an impeccable stage presence and powerhouse vocals, Boone is shaping up to become this generations P!nk. There aren’t many performers who are bold enough to soar through the air while dangling from a chandelier, but you can add Boone to that list. He did just that while performing his Billboard Top 10 hit, “Mystical Magical.” The audience was so loud it almost drowned him out.
Now if you are one of those people grumbling about Boone being in the wrong genre, please, take a seat. His 2022 single “In The Stars” deserves a spot on every setlist and is arguably the most meaningful song in his discography. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Boone introduced the song with an emotional speech about dealing with grief.
“At some point in all of your lives — no matter who you are , no matter where you come from, no matter what you look like, what language you speak, or how much money you have — you’re bound to lose people that you love in your life…” he begins. “Now that it’s been out for a while, and I’ve heard people’s stories, and I’ve listened to what people talk about because of this song, it’s so special to be able to share this emotion. Because yes, I went through something, and I knew somebody, and I lost that person — but so did you. And you don’t think about my life, you think about yours…then this song isn’t for me. It’s not my song, it’s your song.”
The “Mystical Magical” singer shifted gears, diving into a medley of his earlier hits including “Let Me Go,” “There She Goes,” and “Sugar Sweet.” Boone slipped offstage for a quick outfit change, giving his band a much-deserved moment to shine. He kicks off the third act with “Young American Heart,” a tribute to his best friend — who later makes a surprise entrance to reveal the night’s cover choice via T-shirt cannon. Previous covers have included Adele’s ‘When We Were Young” — in the original key, by the way — Coldplay’s “Sparks,” and Lady Gaga’s “Shallow.” Boone makes it clear that he’s been keeping this song in his back pocket for a very special crowd — and where else would he bust out Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times,” except smack dab in the center of Harry’s House.
After such a power move, it’s only right to follow up the iconic cover with “Momma Song” while a video montage of his family plays on the screen behind him, pulling on the heart strings of everyone in the zip code. Things take a lighter turn when Boone gets comical, rambling on about school crushes to lead into “Reminds Me of You.” He closes out the night with fan favorites “Beautiful Things” and “Cry.”
Not bad for a kid from Washington, huh?
Complete Setlist:
1. I Wanna Be the One You Call
2. Wanted Man
3. Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else
4. Man in Me
5. Drunk in My Mind
6. Slow It Down
7. Be Someone
8. Mystical Magical
9. Pretty Slowly
10. In the Stars
11. Let Me Go / There She Goes / Sugar Sweet
12. Take Me Home
13. Young American Heart
14. Mr Electric Blue
15. Sign of the Times
16. Momma Song
17. Love of Mine
18. Reminds Me of You
19. Beautiful Things
20. Cry
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