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Benson Boone review – echoes of Harry Styles in pop’s newest star

His song Beautiful Things has been a global hit this year and, looking like Paul Mescal meets Mario, the US singer has the voice and charm to go even further

These are early days for Boone and tonight, the sold-out UK date on his first world tour is a solid display of his straightforward commercial appeal and strong vocal ability. There is no obvious marketing shtick or sorrowful backstory but the class he’s entering doesn’t require those: he’s an everyman musician in the vein of a Lewis Capaldi or Hozier, all blustery vocals and heartfelt, digestible ideas with pianos and guitars as sidekicks. The night is ultimately pleasant, all chirpy chat about the weather and his friends and his signature backflips, though there is one glaring miss: the band’s wall of sound doesn’t allow for much stripped-back showcasing of his full-bodied voice, the instrument his songs are clearly built around.

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