Review: Lime Cordiale @ The Royale 3/1
Photo credit: Jack Shepherd
Review by Sophia Blair
Lime Cordiale turned The Royale into their own personal playground on Saturday night, delivering a performance that was equal parts electric, theatrical, and downright hilarious. From the moment they stormed the stage and launched into “Pedestal” and then the iconic “Temper Temper,” backed by trippy, space-like visuals, it was clear this wouldn’t be just another gig. This was a Lime Cordiale experience.
The night kicked off with The Orphan The Poet, who set the tone with an energetic opening set before Lime Cordiale took over. As the stage lights shifted and the first chords rang out, the packed crowd knew they were in for something special.
The band, fronted by brothers Oli and Louis Leimbach, has a way of making a room feel like a giant, chaotic family reunion. Early in the set, Oli hyped up the crowd, reminding Boston that their shows here are among the rowdiest they’ve ever played. “You’ve got a lot to live up to, alright?” he teased. Challenge accepted. The energy in the room was a perfect match for the band’s own uninhibited stage presence.
Between songs, the brothers leaned into their signature banter, diving headfirst into Boston’s rivalry with New York. “We were just in New York, and they told me to send you a message,” Oli said, playing it up. “They said… fuck the Red Sox. I don’t know what that means!” The audience immediately erupted in boos and laughter, proving that Lime Cordiale knows exactly how to work a crowd.
The night was packed with highlights, from the anthemic “Naturally” and “Country Club” to “Enough of the Sweet Talk,” the title track for their album that came out last year. It took on an even groovier, more dynamic quality live. A cheeky, self-love-dedicated cover of “I Touch Myself” by Divinyls was complete with dazzling visuals that fit the theme of the song. But perhaps the most unhinged moment came during the infamous Lime Cordiale “lightweight championship” fight, where the brothers dramatically faced off in boxing robes as their “coaches” hyped them up. A referee even came out, whistle in hand, before they launched into “No Plans to Make Plans.” It was absurd, theatrical, and so uniquely them—something Oli had told me they’ve embraced in their performances. “We’re absolute weirdos,” he said, and they don’t shy away from it. Their live shows blend cabaret-style theatrics with tight musicianship, creating a set that feels as much like a fever dream as it does a concert.
The energy never wavered as they powered through “Love Is Off the Table,” “Colin,” and “When I’m Losing It.” The latter hit especially hard, given the emotional depth Oli described in the album’s overarching theme, following a relationship from friendship to romance to heartbreak and back to strangers. Their musicianship was unbelievable. Their voices, somehow gritty and smooth and full of life, surfed seamlessly alongside the instrumentals. As the set continued, it became clear that their dynamic chemistry wasn’t just reserved for the Leimbach brothers. Guitarist Jack Howe, drummer Luke DiDio, and keyboardist Alex Weybury each added their own magic, making the performance feel effortlessly tight yet spontaneous.
Whether it was Louis chugging a beer with a fan in the front row or Oli recounting how he turned a silent treatment from his wife into the song “Cold Treatment,” their performance felt magnetically in the moment. Their energy bounced between the stage and audience like a game of musical pinball, reaching a fever pitch during “Money” and “Risky Love.” The Boston crowd fully met them there. When I asked Oli about the best audiences they’ve played for, he told me Sydney might have some competition. Boston crowds, he said, are right up there, sharing that rowdy, music-loving Irish heritage. Judging by the way Royale shook when they launched into Money, he might be onto something.
Before winding down, Oli took a moment to acknowledge Louis’ creative talents beyond music. “Louis designs all of our merch: T-shirts, posters, vinyls. You know, we designed it for New York Fashion Week,” he joked. “He’s the annoyingly talented little brother.” The audience cheered in appreciation, proving that Lime Cordiale’s charm extends far beyond their music.
They transitioned into “Waking Up Easy,” and then, it was time for the long-anticipated “Robbery,” before closing out with the fan-favorite “Inappropriate Behaviour,” set to a backdrop of goofy, fun home video footage.
By the time the final notes rang out, it was hard not to feel completely swept up in the world they had created for the past 90 minutes. Their enormous musical talent combined with their unmistakably organic Australian sound and energy left the Boston crowd buzzing. If this was a battle between Boston and New York, let’s just say Boston walked away with the belt.