With a voice that channels both nostalgia and raw power, Mickey Callisto once again proved why fans call him a modern-day Freddie Mercury.
During his headlining set at Stendhal Festival 2025, the Sunderland-born singer closed the night with a showstopping rendition of Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” transforming the stage into what felt like a time machine back to a legendary Queen concert.
The performance shook the room to its core, with fans screaming that it felt as though Queen had been reborn on stage.
Callisto has been no stranger to Queen’s legacy in recent months. Earlier this summer, he stunned the world when he led a 30-piece flash mob performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the Place de la Contrescarpe, Paris.
Directed by musician Julien Cohen, the stunt featured fellow Britain’s Got Talent contestant Olly Pearson on guitar and an opera choir that spilled out of windows and cafés to join the spectacle.
The viral video has now been viewed more than 500 million times, drawing praise not only from millions of fans worldwide but also from Queen’s official account, who commented: “We absolutely love this.”
Reflecting on the viral moment, Callisto admitted, “I can’t believe how many people have watched it. It felt like scoring a goal for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.”
The unexpected success has brought him global gig offers from Amsterdam to Singapore, further cementing his reputation as an artist unafraid of grand, theatrical risks.
That boldness was on full display at Stendhal. As Callisto powered through the climactic chorus of “We Are the Champions,” backed by soaring instrumentation and a roaring crowd, the performance became more than just a cover — it was a coronation.
For those in attendance, it wasn’t simply the closing number of a festival set, but a goosebump-inducing reminder of why live music can still feel transcendent.