Mat Rigby is an Australian singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Victoria, who gained attention as a contestant on Australian Idol 2026. He was 17 years old when he auditioned for Idol, describing himself as a passionate singer-songwriter with classical vocal training. Rigby’s style blends indie-pop and acoustic influences; he cites contemporary artists like Vance Joy, Dean Lewis and Passenger as inspirations. In early 2026, Rigby’s audition performance (singing Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida”) went viral online, and the judges advanced him to the competition’s Top 30.
Early Life & Background
Details about Mat Rigby’s early life and family are not publicly documented. He grew up in Melbourne, and took up music from a young age. In 2025 he began building a profile through triple j Unearthed, a national Australian platform for new artists. Rigby entered the Unearthed High 2025 competition (a youth contest by national youth radio). He also uploaded an original song, “This Is The Life,” on triple j Unearthed in July 2025. His Unearthed profile emphasizes his classical vocal training and “heartfelt acoustic” songwriting. Beyond that, virtually no personal or family information is available, as he has only recently emerged in the public eye.
Music Career
Mat Rigby is an emerging indie-pop musician. Before Idol, he shared covers and originals online. For example, he posted acoustic and cover songs (such as Coldplay’s Viva la Vida) on social media. According to profiles, his music is built on honest lyricism and pop-folk influences. He credits his classical vocal training with giving his voice versatility and control. On triple j Unearthed, he lists acts like Vance Joy, Dean Lewis and Passenger as similar in sound. His one known original track, “This Is The Life,” reflects this style and was released on the Unearthed site (uploaded 30 July 2025). Otherwise, Rigby had no major commercial releases or industry credits before Australian Idol, focusing mainly on self-released music and local gigs (details of any performances outside Idol have not been reported).
Australian Idol 2026
Rigby’s public breakthrough came with Australian Idol Season 11 in early 2026. He auditioned in the second episode (aired 3 February 2026) on Channel Seven. His audition song was “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay. In the judges’ feedback, he was praised for his strong vocals and stage presence. He impressed judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines, and Amy Shark, who all advanced him in the competition. As a result, Rigby received a Golden Ticket, securing a spot in the Top 30 contestants. He was officially described in Idol promos as a “teen sporty TikTok singer,” highlighting his young age and energetic style.
Key facts from Mat Rigby’s Idol audition:
- Age & Hometown: 17 years old, from Melbourne, Victoria.
- Audition Song: “Viva la Vida” (Coldplay).
- Judges: Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines, Amy Shark (all voted yes).
- Result: Awarded a Golden Ticket, advanced to the Top 30.
- Profile Tag: Marketed as a “teen sporty TikTok singer” in show promos.
Beyond his audition, Rigby’s journey on Idol (such as further live performances or elimination details) has not yet aired or been documented. At the time of writing, he is still listed among the Top 30 contestants for Season 11.
Personal Details
Mat Rigby was 17 years old during his 2026 Idol audition. His exact birthdate is not publicly given, but this implies he was born around 2008–2009. Aside from his age and city of origin (Melbourne), no personal details like family, height, or relationships have been released. He is currently a private individual outside of his public music persona, and information such as his net worth or schooling is unknown.
Social Media Presence
Rigby actively uses social media to promote his music. He has a TikTok account under the handle @mat_singing and an Instagram profile @mathew.rigby. On these platforms he shares song covers, acoustic performances, and updates about Australian Idol. For example, in late January 2026 he posted on Instagram: “Hey guys! Super excited to announce I’ve auditioned for Australian Idol!”. His TikTok content is mainly music-focused as well. Mat Rigby does not appear to have a public presence on platforms like Twitter or Facebook, and he does not yet have an official YouTube channel of his own. (However, clips of his Idol performances have been posted on the official Idol channels and fan accounts.)
Public Interest & Reception
As a new contestant, Mat Rigby attracted rapid media and fan interest after his Idol audition. The Idol production highlighted his performance as remarkable – official Idol social media even called it “how you ace the biggest audition in Idol history”. Many viewers praised him as a “fan favorite” after the episode. Clips of his audition quickly went viral: the performance was uploaded on YouTube and shared on Instagram by fans, generating thousands of views. Media outlets covering Idol noted the enthusiastic audience response and his potential as a breakout star.
People searching for Mat Rigby online often want to know who he is and how far he will go on Idol. Typical queries include “Mat Rigby Australian Idol”, “Mat Rigby age”, and “Mat Rigby Viva La Vida” – all answered by the facts above. Because he is a teenager just beginning his career, verified information is limited mostly to his Idol appearance and social profiles. Fans continue to discuss him on Idol forums and social media. Official sources like the Seven Network and Idol’s streaming platform (7plus) will be the first to report any future Idol performances or eliminations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Mat Rigby? Mat Rigby is a singer from Melbourne who became known for auditioning on Australian Idol in 2026. He is 17 years old (as of early 2026) and focuses on indie-pop/acoustic music.
- How old is Mat Rigby? He was 17 years old at the time of his Australian Idol audition (early 2026).
- Where is Mat Rigby from? He is from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- What song did Mat Rigby perform on Australian Idol? He covered “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay during his audition.
- Did Mat Rigby advance on Australian Idol? Yes. His audition earned him a Golden Ticket, placing him in the Top 30 contestants. (At present, he is still competing in the Top 30.)
- What is Mat Rigby’s social media? He is active on TikTok and Instagram. His TikTok handle is @mat_singing and his Instagram is @mathew.rigby, where he posts music clips and updates.
- Does Mat Rigby have any original songs released? He has at least one original track. In July 2025 he released an indie-pop song called “This Is The Life” on Triple J Unearthed. No full album or record label releases are known.
- What is Mat Rigby’s height or net worth? Those details are not publicly available. As a minor and new artist, his personal statistics (height, weight, net worth, etc.) have not been disclosed.
Conclusion
Mat Rigby is a fresh face in the Australian music scene, gaining initial fame through Australian Idol 2026. His energetic audition and natural charisma have won him early fans, but he is still a newcomer with much to prove. As he progresses on Idol (and possibly beyond), new information may emerge. For updates on his performances and career, viewers should follow him on TikTok/Instagram and watch the ongoing Idol episodes. Given his current momentum, many are watching to see if Mat Rigby can turn this promising start into a lasting music career.