Benson Boone brought his first ever headlining arena tour to Chicago on Saturday night and the United Center was more than ready for him. The American Heart World Tour kicked off just the night before in Saint Paul but already felt like a well-oiled machine as Boone stepped in front of a sold out crowd that proved he has quickly outgrown theaters.
The extended stage stretched the length of the arena floor with a massive heart shaped platform at the end, giving fans throughout the building a clear view of the action. The setup allowed Boone to cover nearly every inch of the arena and made the show feel as personal as it did larger than life. From the opening moments to the final notes, the energy in the building never wavered.
The night started with a humorous skit on the video screens featuring Boone and his “agent” from the fictional Industry Plant Records, poking fun at the chatter surrounding his quick ascent in the industry. It was a clever way to break the ice and set the tone, showing fans that Boone is fully aware of the talk around him and not afraid to laugh about it. When he finally took the stage, the cheers were deafening and the playful mood carried over into his performance. The United Center is known for hosting some of the biggest names in the world, but Boone carried himself as though he had been playing arenas for years.
Part of what separates Boone from many of his peers is his ability to combine athleticism with musicianship. His acrobatics were a constant thrill throughout the night, as he executed flip after flip across the stage. We counted eight in total, though without an abacus on hand it is possible we missed one. Each flip drew a roar from the crowd and became a signature punctuation mark on the performance. None stood out more than the backflip off his piano, which came after a moving rendition of “Slow It Down” played on a disco ball coated instrument at the top of the stage. It was a moment that summed up Boone’s style perfectly, seamlessly blending heartfelt sincerity with show-stopping flair.
There was no shortage of emotional moments either. “Momma Song” featured home video clips projected on the arena screens, including touching family footage and a clip of his father doing a backflip. The crowd responded warmly, applauding the gesture and embracing the sense of family woven into Boone’s art. Later, during “In The Stars,” he was raised into the air at the B stage while seated at a sparkling blue piano, creating a visual that turned the arena into something out of a dream. And perhaps the most ambitious staging of the night came during “Mystical Magical,” when Boone was strapped to a massive chandelier that floated through the air above the floor before gently landing above the heart shaped B stage. It was the kind of theatrical spectacle you might expect from pop veterans, not someone on their very first arena run, and it left the crowd in awe.
Of course, Boone also left room for surprises. Halfway through the set he invited his friend and tour photographer Mclean Long on stage to help announce the night’s special cover song. Long fired a shirt into the crowd with a t-shirt cannon, and when a fan held it up for the camera it revealed the title of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.” Boone and his band tore through the track with a raw edge that felt like a change of pace from the polished pop that filled the rest of the night. It was one of those moments that reminded fans that Boone is not just an entertainer but also a music fan eager to share his own influences.
The stage itself became as much a part of the show as Boone. The catwalk allowed him to run the length of the floor and greet fans on both sides of the arena, while the heart shaped B stage created a natural focal point for some of the night’s biggest numbers. Even in an arena the size of the United Center, Boone managed to create intimacy, crouching down to interact with fans and letting the crowd carry parts of songs. At times it felt less like a pop concert and more like a community gathering, which only added to the sense of celebration.
Benson also showcased his sense of humor throughout the night. “One of the most terrifying things about this stage is no matter where I’m singing, someone is staring at my front, my back and my side.” “He continued “I feel like a clinch my butt a lot when I sing… I’m so sorry but I have to do it when I sing”. The clinching definitely paid off as he hit the high notes all night.
By the encore of “Cry” it was clear that Boone had left everything on the stage. His mix of humor, high flying acrobatics, heartfelt piano ballads, and his ability to connect with tens of thousands of fans at once made the evening feel like more than just another tour stop. For a first headlining arena run, the polish and confidence were striking, but what stood out most was Boone’s genuine joy. He smiled through nearly every song, often looking as if he could not quite believe the size of the crowd in front of him.
In a building that has hosted legends from every genre, Benson Boone managed to leave his own mark. The sold out crowd of fans singing along to every word made clear that he is not just filling arenas but commanding them. The American Heart Tour feels like the next chapter in a career that is only just getting started, and on Saturday night in Chicago, fans were there for every flip, every laugh, and every heartfelt note.
The Early Registration 