From Toowoomba to the World Stage

After months on the road performing to thousands across the globe, Mason Watts has returned to Australia with a renewed appreciation for home and a career that continues to gain momentum.

“It’s really nice,” Watts said of being back. “You don’t realise how good Australia is until you go overseas and you come back… it’s nice being home around Australians and family.”

A TGS Old Boy who graduated in 2016, Watts’ journey from school performances to international touring has been anything but ordinary.

One of the defining moments of his career came when he appeared on a Netflix music show, a breakthrough opportunity that placed him alongside global heavyweights from the Backstreet Boys, One Direction and the Pussycat Dolls.

“That was a pretty big deal,” he said. “Working with world-class people… making some really good connections.”

That experience also led to the formation of his band Midnight Til Morning and the release of their first album, Afterglow, a group he now describes as “like my brothers,” and with whom he travels the world performing predominantly pop music to an ever-growing fanbase. Behind much of Watts’ success is his manager, Andrew Stone (Manager and CEO/Co-Founder of the band’s record label, Chugg Music), another TGS Old Boy (1997-2001), whom he credits as instrumental to his career. The pair’s connection came about by chance.

“I was playing a festival in Brisbane when I was about 20,” Watts said. “He just happened to be there listening, came up afterwards and asked about my story.”

The conversation soon revealed a shared connection to TGS, strengthening the bond. “We were like, ‘no way,’” Watts recalled. “He was in the Grammarphones and choir as well, so we connected through that.” Watts describes Stone as one of the most successful managers in the country and says his guidance has been pivotal. “I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

Despite the whirlwind of international success, Watts remains grounded in his roots.

“I was part of pretty much every ensemble they had going,” he said, recalling long hours spent in the Baynes Centre and performances ranging from speech days to school productions, “lots of gigs, lots of memories.”

He credits several mentors at the School for nurturing his talent and confidence, including music staff who believed in him and helped him develop his stage presence.

Watts’ career today is a far cry from those early school performances, but the discipline required remains much the same. Touring life, he explains, involves long days filled with interviews, rehearsals and fan engagements, all before stepping on stage.

That perspective has stayed with him, particularly during recent tours in South America, where crowds of devoted fans waited for hours, even days, just to catch a glimpse of the band.

Behind the scenes, Watts and his band continue to refine their sound. Their creative process often begins with a simple idea before evolving collaboratively in the studio.

“It all depends on the song,” he said. “We jam, build it up, and if it’s a good one, by the end of the day you’ve got something really solid.”

Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, Watts believes authenticity is key to connecting with audiences. “I think people always connect with real stories,” he said.

While his career has taken him far from Toowoomba, Watts hasn’t forgotten the challenges of starting out in a regional city. Now, he is helping the next generation by mentoring aspiring musician and Year 12 student Ruben Kruger. “It’s a really competitive industry,” he said. “You’ve got to go all in… and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.”

Looking ahead, there is no slowing down. Midnight Til Morning is preparing for a major international schedule, including a festival performance in Japan expected to draw a crowd of 60,000, their largest audience yet, alongside a European tour and ongoing studio work.

For Watts, the journey from TGS stages to global tours has been remarkable, but he remains focused on the road ahead.