Concert Review: Benson Boone at Moody Center
The energetic pop performer stole hearts with his ‘American Heart’ world tour at Moody Center on Sept. 19 in Austin, Texas.
Written by Mckenna Sefcik
Photos courtesy of Shayden J. Schoonover
American singer-songwriter Benson Boone is known for his risky flips, captivating high notes, and his recent hit single “Mystical Magical.” Last year, Boone released his debut album Fireworks & Rollerblades, which garnered critical acclaim for cutting tracks, “Cry” and “Beautiful Things.” This past June, he released American Heart, a dynamic sophomore album characterized by its joyful patriotism and emotional vulnerability.
Austin, Texas, has seen a lot of Boone over the past year. Performing at Austin City Limits, Sips ‘n’ Sounds, and South by Southwest, Boone dazzled the festivals’ stages. Last Friday, Boone visited the Live Music Capital to deliver some exuberant tracks from his discography, along with some surprise additions, in his first headlining tour at the Moody Center.
The night kicked off at 8:01 p.m. with Scottish musician Brooke Combe taking the stage to perform songs from her latest album, Dancing At The Edge Of The World. Combe blended her smooth R&B vocals with an enchanting layer of string instrumentals for her record’s title track. The multi-instrumentalist treated the audience with a special performance of her latest release, “How Can I Tell You? (To Love Me More),” a whimsical standout cut notable for its upbeat vocals and beautiful string instrumentals.
At 9:08 p.m., a dreamy montage of Boone playing a soft melody on the piano lit up the screen as he sang, “I think of you each time the music plays / Oh love this is the night / The night of our lives.” The music seamlessly transitioned into “I Wanna Be The One You Call” as Boone appeared on stage surrounded by smoke wearing an all black denim outfit detailed with silver sequins. Running around the indoor venue, Boone quickly connected with fans around the barricade, waving to each and every person he could.
“How are we doing Austin?!” Boone’s voice echoed after playing the loving track, “Wanted Man.” Soon after, Boone stood on a rising platform as he wistfully sang “Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else” to the crowd. The lead single from American Heart proved to be a crowd favorite as fans’ voices built throughout the song. “Benny, don’t do it, Benny, don’t do it,” the crowd echoed in a call and response.
White lights glimmered across the stage as Boone softly sang the last lyrics of his devoted track “Man In Me.” Next, Boone seamlessly slipped into “one of [his] favorite” songs to perform live, “Drunk In My Mind.” His rich vocals complemented the red stage lights as he passionately crooned, using the metaphor of getting drunk to illustrate his complicated relationship with a past companion. Boone, who loves to connect with his fans, hopped down toward the barricade, spending his time up close and personal with fans toward the track’s finale.
“Sometimes when life moves a little too fast you just gotta slow it down,” said Boone as he smoothly sang the first lyrics to “Slow It Down.” Using his piano in any way but practical, Boone back-flipped off the instrument and made his way toward the bottom of the stage to connect with fans on the other side of the venue. Following “Be Someone,” Boone briefly disappeared before reappearing on a large blue sparkly chandelier that ascended towards the ceiling. Soaring through the air, the glittery notes to his most recent hit, “Mystical Magical,” started playing as Boone waved to audience members below him. The Moody Center erupted as Boone sang, “Moonbeam ice cream / Taking off your blue jeans.” Nearing the end of the song, the singer descended to the center stage below him as the reverbed backing lyrics echoed throughout the venue, “Once you know what my love’s gonna feel like / Moonbeam ice cream, nothing else will feel right.”
Following “Pretty Slowly,” Boone rose on the center stage, silhouetted by the white lights lit below him. Towering blue lights and flashlights from the crowd perfectly complemented each other as Boone belted out the lyrics to his devastatingly beautiful ballad, “In The Stars,” a heartbreaking song about losing a loved one. “Now you’re in the stars and six-feet’s never felt so far / Here I am alone between the heavens and the embers,” sang Boone.
The atmosphere shifted as Boone performed a mashup of fan-favorites and deep cuts, including “Let Me Go,” “There She Goes,” and “Sugar Sweet.” After performing his yearning track “Take Me Home,” Boone disappeared backstage as his band erupted into a jam session, with his guitarist, Sus Vaquez, performing a mesmerizing guitar solo.
Boone had time to change, appearing in an almost identical red denim vest outfit to perform his song, “Young American Heart.” The Moody Center erupted into screams as red, white and blue heart-shaped confetti soared through the air. Boone quickly concluded the song and transitioned into his glee-splashed track, “Mr. Electric Blue.” Using the stage as his playground, Boone ran around singing the high-spirited tune before finally concluding with an animated piano solo at the back of the stage on an elevated platform. Boone then invited the audience to a call-and-response reminiscent of Freddie Mercury’s iconic “AYE-OH” line.
Next, a surprise visit came from fan-favorite UT Austin alum who has famously re-enrolled: Glen Powell. Shockwaves roared through the audience as fans screamed for the Longhorn. Powell helped Boone announce the next song by launching a t-shirt printed with a surprise pop-classic on it toward the crowd. A fan caught the shirt, unveiling Boone’s plans to cover “Stay” by Rihanna. The pop-classic would soon come, but not before Powell screamed “Texas! Fight!” toward the audience and made his way offstage.
Boone redirected the attention back toward himself. His rich voice flawlessly hit Rihanna’s notes with precision and a near flawless depth. After the impressive cover, Boone and his band gathered at the front of the venue. The American pop vocalist’s refrain echoed once again on the loving cut “Momma Song,” from American Heart. Paired with old childhood videos of his family displayed on the venue’s overhead screens, Boone sang “Tell me your memories of when you were young / And when you fell in love.” Tears fell from some onlookers' eyes as he belted the lyrics, “‘Cause I’m gonna need this / When I’m holding pictures of you and that’s all I’ve got left.”
Following both “Love Of Mine” and “Reminds Me Of You,” fireworks lit the venue as Boone catapulted into well-known lyrics of “Beautiful Things.” As the song finished with shattering, deafening guitar riffs, Boone jumped down to the floor, high-fiving each and every person standing by the barricade He then disappeared backstage for a few quiet moments.
“Oh, you didn’t think we were done did you?” Boone cheekily laughed as he appeared on stage in a black tux for the encore. The lyrics and heartfelt drum kicks of “Cry” filled the air as Boone made his way across the stage. “Thank you all for coming to the show tonight,” Boone said before falling to his knees in gratitude, concluding his first-ever headlining show at The Moody Center.
Boone, an ever dynamic performer, filled the evening with heartfelt ballads, glimmering lights and more flips that one could count. With surprise covers and a guest appearance from Austin’s very own Glen Powell, fans left the venue eager for more. As Boone continues on his ‘American Heart’ tour, fans in Austin are counting down the days until Boone makes his cosmic return.