REVIEW: ROYEL OTIS @ HOUSE OF BLUES 9/28

Photo Credit: Georges Antoni

Review by Sophia Blair

The House of Blues Boston was electric as Friko left the stage, the energy of the opening set leaving a sea of fans buzzing. Conversations blurred into one pulsing hum, and anticipation only swelled as Royel Otis’ debut Boston headliner performance drew closer. This was more than just a concert— it was a moment of arrival — Royel Otis stepping out of the digital world and into the hearts of a sold-out Boston crowd. In a split second, the hum erupted into a roar that shook the room as Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic burst onto the stage like a crashing wave, diving straight into “Heading for the Door,” with Julian Sudek on drums and Tim Flair on keys.

The Sydney-based band may be a relatively fresh face in the indie-rock scene, but they’ve wasted no time carving out a space for themselves. Known for their sun-soaked sound that blends dreamy guitars and laid-back vocals, Royel Otis’ music can feel like an endless summer — a perfect contrast to the cooling Boston weather.

After the explosive opener, the energy stayed high as the duo launched into “Adored” and “Daisy Chain,” each song swelling like a rising tide. The atmosphere shifted with “Big Ciggie,” a foot-tapping anthem with a carefree groove. “I Wanna Dance With You” and “Fried Rice” brought the beat back up, the lo-fi guitar riffs wrapping around the room like a warm breeze while hazy lights bathed the stage in pink. But the premiere of their new song, “If Our Love Is Dead,” captured everyone’s attention—its melody washed over the crowd, pulling us into a reflective trance before the night picked up again.

As they grooved through the set, it felt like they were playing not just for the crowd but alongside us, the energy flowing both ways. The crowd ebbed and flowed with the set in an effortless collective effervescence. I looked out into the swarm of people from a birds-eye-view and saw groups of strangers united through lyrics and a shared love for the music. Bodies bopped together as if one. Often, Royel would peek out through his iconic shag in disbelief at the crowd before them. The band initially gained popularity after their cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” went viral on YouTube and TikTok in February 2024. They made an appearance at Boston Calling in late May 2024, which catapulted them further into the New England consciousness. The packed venue served as a physical testament to how artists’ careers can propel in the digital age. Often, between songs, Otis would remark, “Wow, this is insane. It’s really unbelievable.” The awe of the moment was palpable as Royel and Otis looked out over the sold-out crowd, a powerful testament to how their journey from online buzz to on-stage stardom had reached new heights in just eight months.

They paid homage to the titles that initially put them on the map, saving “Sofa King,” “Going Kokomo,” “Murder on the Dancefloor,” “Oysters in My Pocket,” and “Linger” for the end. Though their cover of “Murder on the Dancefloor” really started their journey to what is now nine million monthly Spotify users, their cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger” is their most popular song on the app right now. It is closely followed by “Oysters in My Pocket” and “Sofa King,” two iconic original songs that fans know and love. From the surfy, nostalgic vibes of “Sofa King” to the punchy beats of “Oysters in My Pocket,” each track rolled into the next, leaving barely a breath between as the duo maintained an electrifying pace.

The music wasn’t all that captivated the crowd — the same larger-than-life prawn that stars in the music video for their hit song “Oysters in My Pocket” watched over the artists like a quirky guardian as they grooved. 

As the night drew to a close, the duo left us with a soft, surfy rendition of The Cranberries “Linger,” their vocals carrying a raw, unfiltered emotion that reverberated through the room. Everyone sang along. As they sang, their pianist lit a cigarette, and they passed it around on stage, contributing to the laid-back vibe of their sound. The intimacy of the moment somehow felt like a shared secret between the band and the audience, like we were simply hanging out with them as they jammed. 

Luckily, they weren’t done yet. They ended the night on a high note, returning for an encore with ‘Kool Aid,’ another top hit of theirs. The finale sent waves of euphoria through the crowd that Royel and Otis seemed to soak in once they had completed the song. They lingered at the edge of the stage, expressing their gratitude and utter awe for the community they had created before tossing guitar picks into the front rows.

The night felt like a perfect blend of nostalgia and discovery — a band still on the rise but performing as if they’d already made it. Royel Otis’ sound, equal parts dreamy and electric, echoed long after the final chord was struck. Royel Otis is a testament to how artists can launch into the spotlight in no time through social media. Playing a sold-out Boston show less than a year after being discovered seemed surreal; the pair hasn’t had time to process their growing fame yet since they’ve been riding the wave, booking gigs, and making more music. If this show was any indication, it’s clear they’re just getting started, and those of us lucky enough to be there witnessed the dawn of something truly special.