Tag: Reece Mastin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin @ Avoca Beach Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach – 4 October 2025

When I saw Reece Mastin at Ettalong Diggers back in 2016, I swore that while it was my first time seeing him, it wouldn’t be my last. I didn’t imagine I’d be left waiting nearly 10 years for a return visit. But it was all worth it to see him perform another acoustic show at one of my favourite local venues.

Local country-pop darling Chelsea Berman warmed up the crowds with a mix of originals and covers. It’s a testament to her talent that I hadn’t heard songs like “Going There” for years, but I remembered them well enough to sing along. It’s also impressive that she could capture the attention of a crowd interested in another artist with just her voice, an acoustic guitar, and her charm. The hush over the audience as she chatted easily between songs proved just how captivating she is. She had us hanging on her every word.

While this was another acoustic show from Reece, it was a very different one from the gig at Ettalong all those years ago. A decade ago, Reece seemed keen to prove himself as a serious original artist. Coming off the back of his brilliant Change Colours album, originals took centre stage. He wanted us to know what he could do. These days though, Reece doesn’t have to convince us. He’s got more original material under his belt, yet the set was a much more even mix of originals and covers. The cover that made the set last time was a fairly obscure Yes track. Now though Reece seems happier to play crowdpleasers he knows his fans will love. While he celebrated his love of classic hits with a stunning cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and the Irish folk ballad “The Fields of Athenry,” he made sure to connect with his predominantly young audience through some more contemporary choices. They seemed to lap up “Oh Caroline” by the 1975 and “Breakeven” by The Script, which he originally covered on the X Factor Australia all those years ago.

It feels like Reece has made peace with his time on X Factor and his early music career. While just a couple of those early hits made the set last time, he breathed new life into “Stars” and delivered the fairly cheesy “Girls (All Around the World)” without a hint of cringe. Watching the way the faces of audience members in the front row lit up, why wouldn’t you?

I really enjoyed the artistry Reece displayed all those years ago, but I had more fun this time around. I think he’s got the balance right. He doesn’t have anything left to prove. He’s got some fantastic music under his belt, so he can just have a good time delivering it with his bandmates. The smiles on the stage said it all. They hadn’t prepared an encore, because what do you do after “Good Night”? You come back and improvise. A cover of Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” capped off yet another fabulous show at Avoca Beach Theatre. Reece promises us he’ll be back in our neck of the woods before long, so hopefully I’m not kept waiting close to a decade for the next gig! If you get the opportunity, make sure you catch Reece Mastin at one of the following shows before the year ends:

7 November 2025 – The Beer Shed, Tharawal Country/Leumeah
8 November 2025 – The Great Big Beer Band @ The Beer Shed, Tharawal Country/Leumeah
21 November 2025 – The Deck, Ballaarat/Ballarat
4 December 2025 – The Landing, Kyleeup/Alkimos Beach
5 December 2025 – The Stirling Arms, Mandoon/Guildford
6 December 2025 – The Burlington Hotel, Goomburrup/Bunbury
7 December 2025 – The Carine, Whadjuk Noongar Country/Duncraig

Photo credit: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin On the Comeback Trail With “The River”

I’ve been eagerly awaiting new Reece Mastin material for two years. His last album Suitcase of Stories was one of my favourite releases of 2018. With every release he seems to grow into his sound a little more. That upward trajectory continues with “The River.” Reece wrote the song after drowning his sorrows at a local bar and deciding there was a better, more positive path for him to take.

“I’m in such a good place personally and professionally now,” he explained. “This song is important for me to share as it marks the end of that tough transition from manufactured popstar to independent rocker, where I finally feel my true self.

“I kind of did my career in reverse, starting with a record deal, instant fame and a career that was out of my control, to now being totally independent and responsible for every facet of my career, and I’m loving it!”

This is an epic piece of blues-rock. I’ve listened to it three times in a row, and I’m not sure I’m done. What a positive sign of the new music we can expect from the next Reece Mastin release.

Image used with permission from Kitty Kitty Bang Bang

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin Reemerges as Mastin With Rocking New Single

Reece Mastin has come a long way since he appeared on our TV screens and took home The X Factor crown. His last album Change Colours saw him shed his earlier pop image and embrace a bluesier rock sound. The evolution is now complete, with Reece opting to release music under the name Mastin. Our first taste of this new maturity comes in the form of “Not the Man For You,” a high-energy rock number that gives us a taste of what’s in store on Mastin’s forthcoming EP Suitcase of Stories.

“Not everyone will love this record, and I’m very okay with that,” concedes Mastin. “But for those who share the same taste as I do for the grand and world-changing genre of rock ‘n’ roll, I wanted to make something special and long-lasting. I wanted to make something that can change your day, change your mindset, and make you feel like you can take on the world.”

Suitcase of Stories hits stores on April 6. Mastin will waste no time taking its tracks to the people, kicking off a national tour in Sydney the very next day. Here are the places you can see him play around the country. Tickets are on sale now. All shows are strictly 18+.

7 April 2018 – The Basement, Sydney
13 April 2018 – Saloon Bar, Launceston
14 April 2018 – Waratah Hotel, Hobart
20 April 2018 – Shoalhaven Bowls Club, Shoalhaven
21 April 2018 – Waves, Wollongong
29 April 2018 – Fowlers, Adelaide
3 May 2018 – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore
4 May 2018 – Surfers Paradise Live, Gold Coast (FREE)
5 May 2018 – The Brightside, Brisbane
6 May 2018 – Sold Bar, Maroochydore
10 May 2018 – Transit Bar, Canberra
19 May 2018 – Winton Supercars, Winton
25 May 2018 – Grand Hotel, Mornington
27 May 2018 – Max Watts, Melbourne
15 June 2018 – The Grand Central Hotel Midland, Perth
16 June 2018 – The Charles Hotel, Perth
12 July 2018 – The Loft, Warrnambool
13 July 2018 – The Workers Club, Geelong
14 July 2018 – SS&A Club, Albury (FREE)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard Ready for Aussie Tour Ahead of UK Dates

It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than two years since hit makers Sheppard headlined an Aussie tour. However, they’re just about ready to do it all again on the back of their latest smash “Keep Me Crazy.”

This is another feelgood pop gem from the Brisbane band. Just try getting it out of your head!

Sheppard looks forward to playing for local fans in more intimate venues before heading to the United Kingdom to support Little Mix.

“Playing live is so important to us and before things get too crazy overseas, we are looking forward to playing for our fans here,” said George Sheppard. “Playing with Justin Bieber around Australia was a dream come true for us, so to get the opportunity to play to our UK fans with a band like Little Mix is yet another opportunity this year where we’ve had to pinch ourselves!”

Make sure you arrive early to catch sets from the stellar support acts No Frills Twins and Reece Mastin.

27 May 2017 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
10 June 2017 – The Croxton, Melbourne
11 June 2017 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hula Hooping Fun in Reece Mastin’s New Music Video

“Heartache Blues” is one of my favourite songs from Reece Mastin’s Change Colours album. So I’m thrilled to see it’s not just the new single, but that’s got an amazing new video to match.

“Heartache Blues is a song about being away from the people, places, and spaces you miss so much when you couldn’t be further away from them,” Reece explained. “It’s a gut-wrenching feeling at the start, but on your way home there’s nothing better than the feeling of getting closer to being back there.”

This song has a great 80s pop-rock vibe, so it’s only fitting that the clip takes us back to the decade with some of the maddest hula hooping action I can recall seeing in some time. What do you think of it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin @ Ettalong Diggers, Ettalong Beach – 10 January 2016

When Lizotte’s Kincumber closed its doors last year, I worried that it may spell the end of great live music on the Central Coast. Thankfully a couple of other venues have taken up the mantle. One of them is Ettalong Diggers, an RSL club conveniently located just down the road from me. Sure, the deep-friend lamb cutlets and chips weren’t a patch on anything Lizotte’s ever served, and the raffle for Dyson fans that accompanied it didn’t great quite the same ambience as the chilled-sounds piped through the Lizotte’s PA. But any venue that can attract big name acts like Reece Mastin has my vote.

I’ve been keen to see Reece live since he released Change Colours, one of my favourite albums of 2015. The allure of his acoustic Down to Earth shows proved difficult to resist, especially when located so close to home.

Reece was ably supported by Alys Ffion, a gorgeous young thing my husband described as a cross between Taylor Swift and Lisa Loeb. I can definitely see where he’s coming from. Her songwriting has that diary-confessional feel of early T-Swift material, but her voice has a little more earthiness and quirk, just like Lisa Loeb. It takes a lot for a solo support act to command a room with just an acoustic guitar by her side, but the crowd seemed to be hanging on her every word. I know we were. She treated us to a generous set of original songs, yet it was so good that it felt over far too soon. Thankfully she was back after the break, providing backup vocals and guitar parts during Reece’s set.

While I couldn’t take my eyes off Alys during her earlier performance, the charismatic Mr Mastin stole focus during his set. He has such a strong voice that reminds me a little of Jimmy Barnes; clearly the time they spent recording this album has been a good influence. There’s also something special about watching an artist who believes so strongly in the music they’re making. He gave it his all, and that passion he has shone through. He was so giving both in his performance and the moments between songs, when he shared tales of time in the studio and the stories behind the songs.

It was telling that despite releasing four top 20 singles from his first two albums, Reece played just two songs from these early days, “Shut Up and Kiss Me” and “Rock Star.” Instead he focused on the new album Change Colours, which suited me just fine. His performances of “For You,” “Stand Up Be Proud,” “Heartache Blues, and the raucous closer “You Gotta Go” were especially strong. Reece also hinted at what’s to come. I wish I recalled the name of a new song he played; it was stunning. He also covered “Muddy Water,” telling us that the music of the original artist Paul Rodgers and his band Free reflects the kind of music he wants to make. As a fan of Free (the only one in the audience apparently!), I was so excited to hear the cover and what an influence this sort of music is for him.

Reece Mastin might have started his career as a fairly lightweight pop act, but his music today has so much more weight. This Ettalong Beach show might have been my first Reece Mastin show, but given what I saw on Sunday night it certainly won’t be my last.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin Announces Acoustic Shows

Reece Mastin sent a clear message that his days of throwaway pop are far behind him with the release of Change Colours earlier this year. So it’s only fitting that he’s doing what all serious musicians do and playing acoustic on his next tour. The Down to Earth tour will take in coastal New South Wales towns over the festive season.

Reece will be joined by Nashville-based, Sunshine Coast-born singer-songwriter Alys Ffion. The pair met earlier this year for a songwriting session, which actually produced the ballad “Down to Earth” featured on Change Colours. They’ve performed the song together at instores around the country, so hopefully we’ll see them playing it together again the following intimate and acoustic shows. All gigs are all ages, although people under 18 must be with a parent at all times.

27 December 2015 – Ballina RSL Club, Ballina
28 December 2015 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
29 December 2015 – Club Forster, Forster
30 December 2015 – Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton
3 January 2016 – Batemans Bay Soldier’s Club, Batemans Bay
8 January 2016 – Oaks Hotel, Albion Park Rail
9 January 2016 – Toukley RSL Club, Toukley
10 January 2016 – Ettalong Digger’s Club, Ettalong Beach

Image used with permission from Ferris Davis PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Change Colours” – Reece Mastin

I’ve watched the career of Reece Mastin with some interest since he burst onto the music scene through The X Factor in 2011. I always regarded him as one of our more interesting winners, a kid who seemed more at home taking on the classic rock of Aerosmith or subverting modern pop gems like “I Kissed a Girl” than making music for the masses. Yet when he took out the title he started to release the musical equivalent of McDonalds. It sold well – you can’t deny the appeal of his number one singles – but it was ultimately unsatisfying. I couldn’t help but wonder whether Reece was making the music he wanted to make or what the record company wanted him to do to appeal to tweens and teens.

2015 seems to be the dawn of a new age for Reece Mastin. He split with Sony and signed a deal with independent label Social Family Records. He enlisted soulful singer Mahalia Barnes as his manager and began hanging out with her dad and Aussie music royalty Jimmy Barnes. And he recorded Change Colours, which is the album I always knew he had in him.

The opening track “Lockdown” announces the new direction beautifully. The music hits hard; it’s an epic, emotional rock number with an old-school soul twist. Jimmy’s influence is obvious in songs like this, “Right Out of Me,” and “You Gotta Go,” which features Mr Barnes doing “backup vocals” as only Barnesy can. Songs like “You Could Be Wild” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore” show Reece still has a snack for creating a hit, but his heartfelt delivery gives them more emotional punch than his other commercial hits. You can tell he really believes in these songs. The sexy blues influenced “Caged Paradise” is another highlight. “Even Angels Cry” shows Reece at his most stripped back, and it’s wonderful. It’s already become a fan favourite, after being voted the next single by Reece’s Twitter fans. The final number and title track “Change Colours” is one of the album’s darkest songs and one of its quietest, but perhaps its most powerful.

Change Colours isn’t like the other Reece Mastin albums, and that’s exactly why it’s so special. It showcases the work of a young artist that is releasing music he believes in, perhaps for the first time. If you’ve dismissed him as just another reality show winner, it’s probably time to rethink your stance.

Change Colours hits stores on October 9. Reece will support its release with the following instores all around the country.

9 October 2015 – World Square, Sydney (5 pm)
10 October 2015 – Stockland Wetherill Park, Sydney (11 am)
11 October 2015 – The Pines, Doncaster East, Melbourne (10:30 am)
11 October 2015 – Stockland Wendouree, Ballarat (2 pm)
13 October 2015 – Brookfield Place, Perth (4 pm)
14 October 2015 – St Mary’s Sound, St Mary’s (4 pm)
15 October 2015 – Stockland Shellharbour, Wollongong (6 pm)
17 October 2015 – Stockland Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast (10:30 am)
17 October 2015 – Brookside Centre, Brisbane (2 pm)
18 October 2015 – Sanity Hinkler Central, Bundaberg (2:30 pm)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin Releases Single Sneak Peek

When I heard that Reece Mastin had signed a deal with independent Social Family Records, I was pretty excited. I really enjoyed his musical instincts on The X Factor, but I felt like his individuality kind of got beaten out of him by people who wanted him to become the next pinup boy.

Judging by this snippet of his new single “Rebel and the Reason,” the title track from his new EP (released May 1), he’s now on the right track. This is by far the most substantial song he’s released. It’s got that rock edge that I always enjoyed about him, and a real honesty in the vocals.

Reece is going to bring his new music to the masses with a string of shows in capital cities and key regional centres this June.

“I know it seems like it’s been a long time coming but hopefully the fans will agree it was worth the wait,” he said in a press release. “I can definitely say that this is completely 100 percent me and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out. I’m in a really good place and can’t wait to share the new songs with everyone.”

Reece promises fans will hear his new songs as well as their old favourites at the following gigs. All shows are all ages, although parents or guardians must accompany under 18s at the Wollongong gig.

12 June 2015 – Factory Theatre, Marrickville
13 June 2015 – Waves, Wollongong
14 June 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
20 June 2015 – Prince Bandroom, St Kilda
21 June 2015 – Esso BHP Wellington Entertainment Centre, Sale
26 June 2015 – Old Museum Concert Hall, Brisbane
27 June 2015 – Sunshine Coast Function Centre, Caloundra
28 June 2015 – Church Theatre, Toowoomba

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin & Karise Eden Top ARIA Charts

It’s not likely to silence critics, but local reality TV show graduates have taken the top spots on Australia’s major ARIA charts. Karise Eden’s My Journey album has maintained its number one possie, while reigning X Factor winner Reece Mastin’s nabbed the top single spot with his newie “Shout It Out.”

Again proving their musical might, the singers from the Hillsong Church have zoomed into the albums charts with their latest release Cornerstone. It sits at number two. Keith Urban’s greatest hits also continues to sell truckloads. The Story So Far holds steady at number three.

Click below for the rest of this week’s ARIA charts.

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