Benson Boone’s star power was undeniable as he lit up the Plains of Abraham mainstage at Quebec’s Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ), playing to a staggering crowd of nearly 90,000 fans on July 5.
The 23-year-old singer, whose breakout hit “Beautiful Things” continues to dominate charts across North America, brought both emotional intensity and high-octane showmanship to the stage. His mix of heartfelt ballads and gymnastic stunts—including mid-song flips off a grand piano—transformed the evening into a full-blown spectacle.
Drawing comparisons to both Adele’s vocal gravitas and Freddie Mercury’s stage command, Boone balanced moments of vulnerability—like his tribute to his late great-grandmother during “In the Stars”—with electric crowd energy. At one point, he had the audience mimicking Queen’s legendary “ayyy-oh” chant in a nod to Live Aid.
Despite a wardrobe mishap (a ripped thigh in his jeans), Boone didn’t miss a beat. He closed the night with “Beautiful Things,” diving into the crowd amid fireworks in a finale that felt tailor-made for superstardom.
Boone may still be early in his journey, but on one of North America’s biggest stages, he proved he’s more than ready for the spotlight.
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