Dylan Wright (singer)
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Dylan Wright | |
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| Born | 22 February 1993 |
| Origin | Bangalow, New South Wales |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
| Website | www |
Dylan Wright (born February 1993) is an Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist from Bangalow, New South Wales who won the ninth season of Australian Idol in 2024 and $100,000 in prize money.[2] He signed with Sony Music Australia immediately after.[3]
Wright is also one half of country duo Sons of Atticus with Matt Joyce. They released the album Jacks Motel in 2021 and the EP Cedar Creek in 2023[4][5] Sons of Atticus won a Golden Guitar at the 2026 Golden Guitar Awards.
In an interview with ABC Country in September 2025, Wright said "I was always singing around the house. I picked up my first guitar when I was 10. My mum was a trained opera singer and heard me picking up some bad singing habits from artists I loved so she put me into singing lessons when I was 12. Ever since I could put singing and guitar playing together I have been writing songs as well."[1] Wright began busking on the street at age 13 and then started playing underage at bars and pubs at age 16.[1]
At age 16, he became the carer for his mother who died from multiple sclerosis and leukaemia when Dylan was 21 years old. Dylan told Now to Love in 2024 "It took me years to work through that part of my life... I had to grow up overnight – it was really tough."[6]
Career
2014-2023: Early EPs
In 2014, Wright released his debut extended play (EP) The Long Way Home.[2]
In 2021, Wright released his second EP, Times Like These.[2]
2024-present: Australian Idol and Sony Music EPs
In 2024, Wright auditioned for the ninth season of Seven Network's singing competition Australian Idol. Wright went with the mentality of having the world to gain and nothing to lose, later telling Country Town, "For a lot of people, it's a cop-out to appear on those shows. It's like the easy way to get your name out there. I literally wanted to go because I love learning. I love photography and videography. I wanted to see how they did their thing. I wanted to grow as a human. I didn't see it as a competition at all. If anything, it felt like a family."[7]
| Round | Song | Original artist | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auditions | "Better Be Home Soon | Crowded House | Through to top 30 | |
| Top 30 | part 1 (group) | "Always Remember Us This Way | Lady Gaga | Advanced |
| part 2 (group) | "Torn | Ednaswap | Advanced | |
| part 3 (solo) | "Sorrento Moon (I Remember) | Tina Arena | Through to top 21 | |
| Top 21 | Free Choice | "Walking in Memphis | Marc Cohn | Through to top 12 |
| Top 12 | Party Anthems | "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" | The Proclaimers | Through to top 10 |
| Top 10 | Judges' Song Contest | "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" | Creedence Clearwater Revival | Through to top 8 |
| Top 8 | Public's Choice | "End of the Road" | Boyz II Men | Bottom 4 |
| Bottom 4 | "Use Somebody" | Kings of Leon | Through to top 6 | |
| Top 6 | Heroes and Tributes | "How Deep Is Your Love" | Bee Gees | Through to top 3 |
| "Ordinary People" | John Legend | |||
| Top 3: | Aussie Classics | "Never Tear Us Apart" | INXS | Through to top 2 |
| Celebrity duet | "What About Me?" (with Shannon Noll) | Moving Pictures | ||
| Free Choice | "Tiny Dancer" | Elton John | ||
| Top 2: | Audition song | "Better Be Home Soon" | Crowded House | Winner |
| Winners Song | "Paper Heart" | Dylan Wright | ||
In March 2024, following the announcement of his win, Wright said “I auditioned for Australian Idol because I grew up loving the show. It never felt like the right time, but all of a sudden, the stars have aligned. I hope to be one of the most successful Australian Idol contestants and to make my family proud. My dream is to write and perform music full time."[2] Following his Idol appearance, Wright signed with Sony Music Australia.[3] In April 2024, Wright performed in fundraisers for the Good Friday Appeal.[8]
In September 2024, Wright released "Little Lost", the lead single from the EP Half the World Away released on 25 October 2024.[7] The title refers to the isolation he felt from his loved ones after winning Australian Idol. The EP was released in two lots of three tracks.[7]
The EP debuted at number 12 on the ARIA Australian Artist Chart on 4 November 2024.[9] In December 2024, Wright performed at Carols by Candlelight.[3]
Wright was nominated for New Talent of the Year at the 2025 Country Music Awards of Australia.[10]
In early 2025, Wright joined Tina Arena on her encore Don't Ask… Again tour[10]
In July 2026, Wright is scheduled to release Crossroads.[11]