Boone Blazes ACL Saturday

Benson Boone: The Righteous Red Jumpsuit Rebel

Strapping on a flashy red jumpsuit plastered with “Austin,” pop sensation Benson Boone burst onto the scene, proving his mettle from the get-go at ACL Fest. This 22-year-old Mormon-adjacent superstar, a BYU alum, ignited passions and showed the world he's "so legit," just as Taylor Swift said. Boone may be TikTok famous, but he’s out to prove his music is polished and built to last.

And he puts in the work.

Audiences gasped as Boone busted out scissors and sliced his jumpsuit, baring his chest for “What Do You Want.” He hit high notes with precision on “Drunk In My Mind” and reminded the crowd to stay hydrated with the classic “drink some water” reminder. He’s earned his stripes, nailing Freddie Mercury’s “Day Oh” call-and-response like a pro.

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Boone's flawless backflip assured the world he’s no one-trick pony. Closing with his hit “Beautiful Things,” it was clear: this kid’s a star. His meteoric rise—Eras Tour, VMAs, “American Idol”—isn’t just hype.

Did someone say, “I love this song” during “Cry”? You bet. Boone’s fusion of Lumineers balladry, Imagine Dragons breakdowns, and Fun’s grandiose falsetto left the crowd swooning. “He’s so hot. Oh my God,” a fan gushed mid-set.

With TikTok-inspired vertical screens setting the stage, Boone’s performance was as viral as it was visceral. He reminded us of the human condition—losing loved ones "sucks." Phones down, hearts open, he urged us to focus and maybe call a loved one.

“He’s better than I thought,” my old college buddy Clint admitted, and he's right. Benson Boone isn’t just a flash in the pan—he’s the real deal, folks.