He sang with a group of contestants and was picked by the judges to progress to the second phase based on his part in that performance.

This season judge Natalie Basingthwaighte will mentor the under-25 males which is Johnston's category.

The second phase of boot camp will see him perform in front of the judges and a live audience on Wednesday night.

Johnston said as a result of boot camp he has already struck up friendships with some of his fellow competitors.

"The professionalism of a lot of them has really struck me," he said. "Most of them have been performing for a while."

The talented singer songwriter moved to Brisbane two years ago after stints in Sydney and Melbourne.

"I found a niche going to country towns, especially out west in north Queensland."

In the past 12 months he has lived a period of time out of his van while pursuing a 50 gigs in 50 towns across five states charity drive.

The 23-year-old raised money for the Australian Children's Music Foundation and played to as few as two (including a dog), to towns where the population was 300, and even in detention centres.

"It was an amazing experience."

He made a surprise appearance at the North Haven Bowling Club on Friday night and hopefully will be back in the Hastings soon.

Here's hoping he progresses on Wednesday.