Benson Boone’s World Tour: A sea of sequins, moustaches & backflip after backflip!

What an electric (blue) night at the SSE Arena in Belfast, marking the launch of Benson Boone's European leg of his American Heart World Tour! The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation; the stage was beautifully adorned in red and silver, resembling a colossal guitar with a heart at its end, a perfect visual cue for the unforgettable evening that awaited us!

The show kicked off with the incredibly talented Elliott James Raey, who instantly captivated the crowd and got everyone moving! With his signature quiff and stylish wide-legged trousers, he bounded onto the stage with his acoustic guitar, flanked by his dynamic two-piece band. Elliott's sound is a delightful blend of classic Buddy Holly charm mixed with a dash of Elvis swagger, effortlessly pulling everyone into the groove. His opening track, “Boy in Love,” set the tone perfectly, warming up the audience and getting everyone ready for the main event ahead.

As he transitioned into “Sweetness,” the crowd couldn’t resist lighting up the arena with their phones, crafting a mesmerising sea of twinkling lights that felt like a nostalgic trip back to the fabulous 50s and 60s if they had mobile phones. And when he delivered a brilliant cover of “Pretty Woman,” a tune they had only rehearsed for two days, the entire venue erupted in song, showcasing his incredible talent! Elliott concluded his spirited set with “Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin,” really bringing the stage to life with his energetic jiving that had the audience cheering with delight. By the end of his performance, he had the audience eating out of his hand with a palpable excitement in the arena as everyone eagerly awaited what was next!

Then, the moment we’d all been waiting for arrived: Benson Boone! As the house lights dimmed and the large screens illuminated the stage, a lively video intro played, showing Benson in a relaxed, postcard-style scene by the pool. He kicked off his performance with “I Wanna Be The One You Call,” making a show-stopping entrance with a backflip straight onto the stage! Dressed in a sparkling black vest with a heart design, he had the crowd roaring with enthusiasm right from the start.

Benson's setlist was a wonderful rollercoaster of emotions, seamlessly blending upbeat tracks like “Wanted” with heartfelt ballads like “In the Stars,” which brought tears to many in the audience. Two grand pianos made several enchanting appearances throughout the night at both ends of the stage, adding an extra touch of magic to his performance. A highlight for me was when he flew in on a chandelier during “Mystical Magical,” engaging the audience beautifully as they joyfully sang along with “moonbeam ice cream.”

The connection Benson fostered with his fans was truly heartwarming. At one point, he even leapt down into the crowd during “Drunk in My Mind,” creating an electric atmosphere that felt alive with excitement! His playful banter, including his humorous attempt at a Northern Irish accent (which, let’s just say, sounded like Mrs Doubtfire!), kept everyone laughing and enjoying the moment.

As the evening progressed, he dazzled us with a striking outfit change for “American Heart” and unleashed a phenomenal burst of energy with my personal favourite “Mr Electric Blue,” which could easily be crowned the highlight of the night. His admiration for the legendary Freddie Mercuryshone through, especially during audience interaction, when everyone joyfully echoed his infectious “eeeeohhh.”

In true concert fashion, the night culminated in an explosive finale, which included the beautifully touching “Momma’s Song” and “Reminds Me of You.” The final song of the night could only be one….” Beautiful Thing,” the song that launched Boone to the level of stardom he appears to be so grateful for! This entire evening was a joyous celebration of music, love, and connection, with the sold-out crowd radiating excitement and passion for both Elliott and Benson.

Both Elliot James Raey and Benson Boone brought something truly special to the stage, leaving us all yearning for more. This concert was not merely an event; it was an exhilarating experience that taught both Raey and Boone exactly how much Belfast adores live music and how it has earned the reputation as the loudest audience in the world!