Key Elements PR presents Pre-Grammy Kickoff at The Mint with Mason McNulty, Jensen Gering, Reese Warren, and more – Live Review

Key Elements PR presents Pre-Grammy Kickoff with Mason McNulty, Jensen Gering, Reese Warren, Caleigh Barnett, Secrets of Sound, and Acoya, The Mint, January 26, 2026

The Pre‑Grammy energy in Los Angeles is always a spectacle, but this year it felt especially charged. With the city buzzing from industry parties, label showcases, and late‑night studio sessions, The Mint became a magnet for insiders looking to spot the next wave of breakout talent. Key Elements PR seized the moment, transforming the iconic venue into a launchpad for six rising artists who represent the future of pop, country, R&B, and genre‑bending experimentation.

What unfolded on January 26 wasn’t just another industry showcase—it was the kind of night where you could feel careers shifting in real time. The room was packed with producers, managers, young fans, and curious tastemakers, all drawn in by the promise of discovery. Each performer brought a distinct voice and identity, yet the collective effect was a seamless celebration of artistry on the rise. From polished pop performances to raw, heartfelt storytelling, the evening captured the thrill of witnessing talent right before it breaks wide open.

By the time the first act stepped onto the stage, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical pre‑award‑season event. It was a statement: the next generation is ready—and they’re coming in loud, confident, and impossible to ignore.

ACOYA

Opening a stacked night of emerging talent, Acoya set the tone with a sleek, magnetic blend of smooth‑groove pop and R&B. His set may have been short, but every track locked in the early crowd and hinted at an artist on the brink of something big. The room filled with that unmistakable “I’m seeing him before he blows up” energy. There’s a polish to his sound that feels both radio‑ready and deeply personal, the kind of balance that makes audiences lean in without even realizing it. Dive into Acoya’s world on Spotify—Is It Cool, No Contest, and Lost and Found are perfect entry points into his rising catalog.

Acoya on Instagram

CALEIGH BARNETT

From the moment Caleigh Barnett stepped onstage, it was clear the audience was in for something special. Radiating warmth and charisma, she and her guitarist delivered a luminous set of country and bluegrass favorites. Fresh from Abingdon, VA—having narrowly escaped brutal weather—Caleigh made her L.A. appearance count.

Her renditions of Patty Loveless’ You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive and Zach Bryan’s Something in the Orange were heartfelt and imaginative, reshaping each song into something distinctly her own. Alongside covers of The Castellows, Jason Aldean, and Miranda Lambert, her original track Ghost emerged as a standout moment. She wrapped the set with a spirited, sassy take on Joey + Rory’s Cheater Cheater, earning a wave of new fans in the process.

Caleigh Barnett on Instagram

MASON MCNULTY

Already known for film roles in Gacy: Serial Killer Next Door and the upcoming Billy the Kid: Blood and Legend, Mason McNulty is quickly carving out a second lane as a country‑rock vocalist—and The Mint crowd felt that momentum firsthand.

He kicked things off with his streaming hit Dust, showcasing a classic country tone and an easy, likable stage presence. His cover of Jelly Roll’s Halfway to Hell was a powerhouse moment, and he surprised the room with three brand‑new originals: Sinner Like Me (written for Billy the Kid), Someone, and Sirens. Each new track revealed a growing confidence in his songwriting, hinting at an artist who’s not just experimenting with country‑rock but fully stepping into it with purpose and grit.

Closing with Luke Bryan’s Country Girl (Shake It for Me), Mason had the entire venue moving. If his trajectory continues at this pace, 2026 could be the year he rockets into full‑blown stardom, solidifying his place as both a screen presence and a rising musical force.

Mason McNulty on Instagram

JENSEN GERING

Watching Jensen Gering’s musical evolution has been a thrill. Known for his lead role on Nickelodeon’s Erin & Aaron, Jensen first hit the stage at 15 with the L.A. Rock Collective. Now 17, he’s already played legendary rooms like The Whisky and The Troubadour—solo and with a full band—and he’s more than ready for radio.

His Mint set was intimate and captivating. With just his guitar, Jensen cast a spell, weaving through covers of Dave Matthews and John Mayer alongside originals like Brothers and Crash. He may have the look of a teen‑magazine heartthrob, but his vocal delivery and musicianship carry a timeless depth. There’s a sincerity in the way he performs that pulls the room closer, making even a packed venue feel like a private session shared between artist and audience.

Until his debut release arrives, catching him live is the best way to witness a young artist coming into his own.

Jensen Gering on Instagram

SECRETS OF SOUND (SOS)

Secrets of Sound aka SOS lit up the stage with a burst of color, choreography, and pure pop joy. This all‑girl vocal group brought infectious energy from the first note, getting the entire room singing and dancing along.

Tracks like Myself and Body Language—already gaining radio traction—hit even harder live. And when they launched into a high‑voltage cover of the Spice Girls’ Wannabe, the crowd erupted. Their set radiated fun, confidence, and star‑power potential. SOS is absolutely one to watch.

Secrets of Sound on Instagram

REESE WARREN

Closing out the night was the sensational Reese Warren, who delivered a finale packed with vocal firepower and pop artistry. Reese has that rare combination of presence and emotional clarity—when she sings, you feel it.

She opened with her latest single Treats You Well, immediately pulling the audience into her orbit. Her covers—including Sienna Spiro’s Die On This Hill and Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman—showcased both range and interpretive skill. There’s a confidence in her delivery that feels effortless, the kind that only comes from an artist who knows exactly who she is and where she’s headed. Each note landed with intention, drawing the crowd deeper into her world.

Ending the night with Raye’s The Thrill Is Gone, Reese brought the house down and sealed the event with a truly epic finish.

Reese Warren on Instagram

IN CONCLUSION

Walking out of The Mint, you couldn’t help but feel energized by the sheer range of talent on display. From heartfelt ballads to high‑voltage pop moments, each artist left their mark on the room and on everyone lucky enough to be there. Nights like this remind us why discovering new music feels so special—and why these performers deserve to be heard far and wide.

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Jack Lue and Karyn Burleigh of Rock Edge Photography)

Key Elements PR on Instagram