Local X-Factor star: “I’m back!”

It’s over three years since local lad Reece Wiltshire-Fessey took the entertainment industry by storm and starred in X-Factor: The Band.

The then 19-year-old singer-songwriter blew away the panel of judges that included music boss Simon Cowell, and singing icons Leona Lewis and Nicole Scherzinger.

He eventually secured a place in the boy band Unwritten Rule, which lost a head-to-head final with girl band, Real Like You in a live show watched on TV by millions.

During the show, Scherzinger said: “Usually, I can tell in the first couple of seconds if someone has it. I see something in your eyes. You have something about you.”

Stardom beckoned, with Reece gathering a whole army of fans, but then Covid hit and the world changed forever.

We caught up with Reece this week to find out what he has been up to, and more importantly what’s next, and we discover that there is new music penned and plenty of shows planned, including a big festival date this summer.

How was life after the X-Factor experience?

For the first three months, life was great! I was going to the studio with my band and going to live shows all over the UK to see what touring was really like! Meeting amazing people and making some great music. However, March 2020 came around (Covid-19) and changed everything for me.

What have you been up to since? How big an impact did the pandemic have?

Covid stopped all live music and studio sessions, so for me, everything was put on hold. All I could do was create and produce my music from home, so creatively I was fine, but I was restricted to getting out and playing in front of crowds. This, mentally, didn’t have a positive effect on me but I guess it was reassuring to know that everyone in the industry was going through the same struggle.

Have you recorded any new music?

Yes! I’ve just finished building a recording studio at my house so if anything like Covid happens again, I’ll be ready to record from home, professionally! I’ve also just finished recording my new album, ‘INFINITE’, which is set to release on June 30.

What are the plans for the summer as we hear a festival slot has been booked?

I’ve got various gigs booked for the summer, including a slot at Alderfest! This will be my biggest gig after the X Factor. It’s been around three years since I’ve been able to play in front of a crowd that big so I’m really excited.

We hear you have been experimenting a bit with your music?

There’s a new type of genre being seen in the industry, where artists are slowing down and speeding up their songs and releasing them as remixes. So, I’ve managed to get my songs slowed and sped-up! These will be released as a separate album after INFINITE is released.

Where have you been living these past years since X-factor?

I’ve been living at home with my mum and brother in Llansantffraid. It was the best place to build a studio as if I was away in London, it’s a stable place to come back to write and create new music. As much as I love the opportunities available in London, I love the peace and tranquillity of Wales, which allows me just to concentrate on the music and not the noise around me.

How did you feel the show treated you after the run had finished?

After the X Factor, we were all left to our own devices really. This was good for me as I just wanted to get back to creating as soon as possible, talking about all of the experiences I went through in the show. I’ve got a track called ‘London’ on the new album which talks about my thoughts on, and experiences with, the city as a whole. Some of which include my experiences with the X Factor.

What are you hoping for now from the industry?

Personally, I just want to play in front of as many people as possible. As long as I’m playing live music and people are enjoying it, then I know I’m achieving my goal.