Indra Aziz
Less than a year into their existence, the four-piece sensation Midnight Til Morning are not just moving fast; they are a runaway train, reshaping the landscape of contemporary pop music with unprecedented speed and impact. Formed through the innovative digital platform "Building The Band" on Netflix in 2024, the group comprises Australian talents Mason Watts and Conor Smith, alongside American artists Shane Appel and Zach Newbould. This diverse quartet has rapidly ascended to global prominence, amassing an astounding over 31 million streams, 150 million video views, and selling an impressive 43,000 tickets across a whirlwind tour that has seen them conquer sold-out venues in North America, Australia, Europe, Japan, and Latin America.
Their meteoric rise was further punctuated this July with a significant milestone: their debut at BST Hyde Park, a prestigious UK festival. Sharing the iconic Great Oak Stage, they performed just hours before the acclaimed girlband FLO and the formidable K-pop powerhouse acts Taemin and Ateez. This performance marked their inaugural foray into the UK festival circuit, a testament to their burgeoning international appeal. Fresh from the exhilarating energy of their BST Hyde Park set, the band sat down backstage, still riding the wave of connection with their dedicated fanbase, dubbed "Midnighters," who had secured spots at the front of the stage. The conversation delved into the intricate dynamics of their studio synergy, the often-chaotic realities of life on the road, and their ambitious vision for what lies ahead.
The Genesis of a Global Phenomenon: Building The Band and Early Success
The formation of Midnight Til Morning within the structured environment of "Building The Band" provided a unique genesis for the group. Unlike traditional band formations, their inception was a digitally orchestrated event, bringing together four distinct musical personalities with the explicit goal of creating a cohesive artistic unit. This innovative approach allowed for immediate exposure and a curated introduction to a global audience, setting the stage for their rapid ascent.
The statistics speak for themselves. Within their first year, Midnight Til Morning have achieved a level of commercial success that many established artists strive for over decades. Their streaming numbers and video views indicate a strong digital footprint and a deep engagement with their music across various platforms. The sale of 43,000 tickets for their international shows underscores their ability to translate online popularity into tangible, in-person demand, a critical marker of a band’s true reach. This widespread touring schedule, encompassing diverse geographical and cultural landscapes, has undoubtedly contributed to their exponential growth and established them as a truly global act.
Studio Synergy and the Art of Collaboration
The transition from individual artists to a unified band presented an immediate learning curve, a challenge that Midnight Til Morning have navigated with remarkable adaptability. Shane Appel articulated this process, emphasizing the creative friction that ultimately fuels their music: "I think that was definitely a learning curve for all of us. You know, we all have different styles in music, so I guess it kind of works out in a very good way too."
The band has developed a sophisticated system for harnessing their individual strengths. They quickly identify which member’s artistic sensibility best aligns with a particular song or section. "We’ll very quickly figure out that one song is more one person’s vibe, or the other person’s vibe, or one person’s voice fits the chorus the best, or two of us will sing a chorus and then we all collectively pick whose voice is the best fit for it," Shane explained. This collaborative approach not only ensures that each member’s unique talent is showcased but also imbues their music with a rich tapestry of sounds and styles. "But I think that it creates lots of versatility for us and it makes the songs have so many different vibes and we can do so much more with it," he added, highlighting the creative dividends of their inclusive process.
This collaborative spirit extends to their songwriting process, which, as Mason Watts revealed, is far from monolithic. Their early hits, such as "Bye," co-written with the acclaimed Benson Boone, and their new single "Math," which boasts an impressive list of co-writers, exemplify their willingness to engage with established songwriting talent. "I think it’s different every time," Mason stated when discussing their collaborative songwriting. "We got sent the chorus for ‘Bye’ and we loved it, and obviously it was our first song that we put out. So it was just amazing to have some of the biggest writers in the world behind it."
Crucially, the band emphasizes their agency in these collaborations. "They let us put our own spin on it and make it our own thing and our own vibe," Mason continued. This indicates a mature approach to songwriting partnerships, where external contributions are integrated into their distinct artistic identity. "Every song is like an individual thing. Sometimes we’ll write all together, sometimes one of us might have an idea and bring it into the studio. So it just depends." This fluid and adaptable songwriting methodology allows them to remain authentic while leveraging the expertise of seasoned professionals.
Life on the Road: Oranges, Avocados, and Unexpected Rituals
The relentless pace of touring has inevitably fostered unique experiences and, as is often the case with close-knit groups confined to shared spaces, a series of quirky rituals and inside jokes. Conor Smith, with a laugh, shared one such developing tradition: "Any weird habits or rituals? [laughs] This young fella over here, Mr. Murli [Dhir] – Murli is our cameraman, not just some random, by the way. We came across the tradition of just putting oranges everywhere we went. He went through TSA with a couple of oranges in his bag, in his bunk, and then even the tour after, there were some oranges floating around. So I don’t know, yeah, something to do with oranges has just become… something." This seemingly random, yet persistent, presence of oranges has become an endearing hallmark of their tour life.
The band’s sense of humor also manifests in elaborate pranks. Mason Watts recounted an incident involving an accidental international smuggling operation: "I feel like we’re constantly pranking each other. I accidentally smuggled an avocado from America into England because of this guy. I didn’t know it was there until after." The reveal of the avocado, discovered in his shoe upon arrival, led to a humorous exchange with Shane Appel, who confessed to being the orchestrator of the fruity subterfuge. Shane explained his method: "When we were in LA, we were eating an avocado, and I took the seed and polished it. It felt like a golf ball. I put it right in Mason’s Converse. I wedged it in there so hard. It must have been hard to get out."
Zach Newbould added another layer to the prank narrative, detailing a less polished, but equally memorable, prank involving a rib bone. "At least you polished that. You stuck a rib bone in my back pocket. That was not polished," he retorted. Shane elaborated on this culinary-themed prank: "We were at Texas Roadhouse and Zach was eating ribs, and I took one of his ribs and I stuck it in his back pocket. It didn’t have any meat on it, but it had a little bit of sauce [laughs]." These lighthearted interactions underscore the strong camaraderie and the ability of the band members to find amusement amidst the demanding schedule of touring.
The Unvarnished Realities of Touring
Beyond the playful pranks and developing traditions, the band members also offered a candid perspective on the less glamorous aspects of life on the road. When asked about the parts of touring that nobody warns you about, Mason Watts pointed to the sensory challenges: "The smells. Definitely that. A lot of farts on buses. Confined spaces." Zach Newbould echoed this sentiment, adding a more profound observation about the fundamental shift in lifestyle.
"I would say, how different the lifestyle is," Zach elaborated. "I mean, It’s all you ever think of as a kid. I wanted to be this, this is all I ever wanted, the only career path I ever wanted, my biggest dream. I always thought you just get up on stage, sing a few songs, and get off. And in my mind that meant you just go home when you’re done singing. It’s not the case at all. You get back on a tour bus and you drive from place to place to place, and you don’t go home for like a month at a time." This realization highlights the stark contrast between the romanticized ideal of a musician’s life and the demanding, itinerant reality. "And I mean, there are fun parts to that, but you definitely miss your family. I would say that’s been the hardest part of touring," he concluded, underscoring the personal sacrifices involved.
Exploring New Horizons: City Exploration and Cultural Encounters
When presented with a rare day off in a new city, the band members exhibit varying approaches to exploration. Shane Appel admitted that the majority of the group often opts for rest: "I’ll be honest, most times the only one who explores is Conor. Us three sleep most of the day away just because we’re exhausted."
Conor Smith, however, embraces these opportunities with enthusiasm, often utilizing local transportation: "I love myself a Lime bike, so I wake up early. And it’s lovely travelling around Europe and the UK because there’s so many things to see." His adventurous spirit led to a memorable late-night excursion: "At one point, Murli and I Lime biked to the Sagrada Família in Barcelona at 2am. You can wheelie a Lime bike pretty easily, so just keep that in mind. I popped a couple of wheelies. So yeah, I like to venture out."
The band collectively identified several favorite cities from their travels. Barcelona and Paris emerged as strong contenders, with Mason Watts confirming, "Barcelona is a big favourite of ours." Zachary Newbould chimed in with "Amsterdam!", while Shane Appel expressed a fondness for "Brazil!" The mention of Brazil elicited a personal connection from the interviewer, leading to a brief, positive exchange about the band’s experience there. "It was awesome!" Shane exclaimed. Mason added, "Yeah, it was probably one of the craziest shows we’ve played. You guys are nuts." Zach humorously contributed, "And really good steak."
Connecting with a Global Fanbase: Unexpected Resonance and Cultural Exchange
Having traversed North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, Midnight Til Morning have encountered a diverse range of fan interactions. While they anticipated a strong reception in Brazil due to existing expectations, Shane Appel noted that "Boston was one that was way louder than I expected. Like that venue was really loud. That’s where Zach’s from pretty much."
Zach Newbould shared his surreal experience in Brazil, a place he had never visited before: "Brazil was also really weird for me because I’d never stepped foot there in my life. It was great, but just going somewhere you’ve never been and everybody’s yelling your name. It’s like, what’s happening right now? I didn’t expect any of this." This sentiment highlights the profound impact of their music transcending geographical and personal boundaries.
The passionate and dedicated fanbase they have cultivated in such a short timeframe has led to fascinating cultural exchanges. "We get given a lot of different food. Wherever we go, especially in Europe, there are so many different kinds of foods," Conor Smith observed. He also emphasized the heartwarming aspect of connecting with fans across language barriers: "It’s also just very rewarding to see how many lives we’ve reached in the depths of these small cities and countries. It’s very heartwarming to know that people are singing our lyrics back to us even though they may not speak English." He recounted meeting fans who, despite a complete lack of English proficiency, were able to sing their songs, a testament to the universal power of music.
This exchange of culinary experiences also yielded some memorable, and not always positive, discoveries. Zach Newbould recalled an encounter with salted licorice: "Where were we when we got the salted liquorice? Sweden?" Mason Watts agreed, suggesting Sweden was likely. Conor Smith posited it might have been a Dutch specialty. Zach declared, "I would say that’s probably the worst food on earth." Mason vividly described it as tasting "like actual seawater. That’s how salty it was." Both agreed, "We actually wanted to vomit the moment we ate it. Don’t try it!" On the other hand, positive culinary encounters were also plentiful. "Stroopwafels. They’re good as. We love stroopwafels," Conor enthusiastically stated. Mason added, "[Sweden] has pretty good meatballs. They know what they’re doing."
Future Ambitions and the Road Ahead
Looking towards the future, Midnight Til Morning’s aspirations are as expansive as their global reach. "We just want to keep doing what we’re doing and expand our fan base. We want to be the biggest band in the world," Mason Watts declared, articulating a clear and ambitious long-term goal.
Their upcoming London show and European tour are poised to be significant showcases of their evolving artistry. Fans can anticipate a heightened live experience. "A bigger show and new music. Lots of new music," Mason promised. "We’ve got a lot of songs we’ve pretty much finished and we’re very excited about them." Shane Appel hinted at new performance elements: "A few flips? Maybe a new flip or two. Conor’s been working on some choreo, some dance moves." Conor confirmed, "Yeah, I’ve got some new dance moves to show off."
Shane further elaborated on the musical direction of their new material: "I think these new songs are sexier. They feel groovier, cooler, newer. It’s like a new MTM in the best way. I’m excited for people to hear them." This suggests a confident evolution of their sound, promising fresh and engaging material for their growing legion of fans.
Midnight Til Morning’s trajectory, from their virtual formation to their current status as a global phenomenon, is a remarkable testament to their talent, adaptability, and the innovative possibilities of the digital age. Their journey is far from over, with a clear vision for the future and an ever-expanding global audience eagerly awaiting their next move.
Midnight Til Morning head back out on the road this autumn, with tour stops in Glasgow on October 7, Birmingham on October 9, Dublin on October 11, Bristol on October 12, Manchester on October 13, and finally London on October 14. Tickets are available here.
