“An album destined for festival season greatness – for cool-breeze drives, warm summer parties, and late-night singalongs,” NME wrote about Royel Otis’ dazzling debut album Pratts & Pain, released in 2024. The record introduced a warmth and melodic ease that quickly made the duo a name to watch on festival lineups around the world.
Childhood friends Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell formed the duo in Sydney in 2019. Their blend of post-punk, indie rock and big pop hooks has shaped a sound that feels both immediate and far-reaching. That character comes through strongly on their 2025 follow-up Hickey, where melodic synths, new wave guitars and rhythmic momentum give the songs a drive that naturally pulls audiences along.
Along the way, their profile has also been lifted by a series of distinctive cover versions that have gone viral. Their takes on Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” and The Cranberries’ “Linger” have expanded their reach without overshadowing the musical identity they’ve built themselves.
All of this can be experienced live when Royel Otis visit Roskilde Festival. Their performances are marked by a spirited energy where musical finesse and spontaneity sit side by side, and where the songs make their way into the crowd straight away. We hope you are ready to sing along.
