Royel Otis featuring Friko takes the Hollywood Palladium
Photo by Isabel Torres
Three words: take me back. Royel Otis literally brought that big shrimp energy to the stage. The enormous shrimp made to replicate Australia’s Big Prawn is the backdrop for the “Glory to Glory” tour. The guitar-pop band from Sydney, embarked on their tour in September and landed at the Hollywood Palladium, in Los Angeles, on Oct. 16. The opener, Friko, a band from Chicago, matched Royel Otis’ captivating energy and incredible vocals making the show an exceptional experience.
The band started off their show with their classic laid-back attitude. Doors set to open at 7:30 p.m., yet the sound of their vocal warm-up and instrument tests could be heard from the line outside at 8:00 p.m.
Royel Otis came onto the scene almost overnight, dropping their first 2021 EP, “Campus,” and releasing two albums, Sofa Kings in 2023 and Pratts & Pain in 2024. The band started as a duo, with lead vocalist Otis Pavlovic and guitarist Royel Maddell forming their band in 2019.
The Hollywood Palladium is an intimate venue with an Art Deco style. Its ornate ceiling, gold accents, and historic charm teleported me back to the 1940s. The open ballroom style layout and relaxed balcony seating offered a fully immersive experience where the energy between the crowd and artists blended into one. The sound of people dancing on the hardwood floor added to the lively atmosphere and laid-back vibe. While a few audience members appeared to be too boozed up, overall, everyone was vibing together, ranging in age from teenagers to a lovely couple in their 70s.
The opener, Friko, delivered an intimate set, with the lead singer Niko Kapetan giving me literal goosebumps. Kapetan’s angelic voice elevated the performance from a typical indie rock band to something truly one of a kind. The song “For Ella” was the highlight of their performance. The moment was simple and raw. Kapetan began playing the piano, letting his voice carry across the stage while melting into the air. The band played a combination of songs ranging from indie-pop to more classic rock, with hints of opera throughout. I was thoroughly impressed and almost concerned about how Royel Otis could take the stage with such an incredible opener. I may have set alerts for any tour dates near me in the future.
Photo by Isabel Torres
The Australian duo, Royel Otis, was joined by an additional bassist, pianist and drummer for their set. Colorful lights and a slight fog set the atmosphere for their fun and energetic sound. No extra special effects, crazy dance moves or unnecessary tricks were needed to enhance their performance. The vocals, instruments and big shrimp carried them all the way through their hour set.
Their setlist was a mix of songs from their new album “Pratts & Pain,” old fan favorites, and their famous cover songs. I went in thinking they would only play a few of my favorite songs, but I ended up belting my lungs out to just about every song, with only a few catching me off guard.
Maddell, famously known for covering his face with his hair to maintain anonymity, was surprisingly one of the most vocal on stage with audience interactions. He thanked Los Angeles and the audience for their hospitality and commented on how much fun he had on stage.
Their set began with “Heading For The Door.” The song is nostalgic as if it were in your favorite coming-of-age movie. While the lyrics of most of their songs were hard to make out, I could feel the raw emotion that each song carried. While I cannot say I had a favorite song because they all made me foam at the mouth with pure joy, “FOAM” was one song that had a more distinct style. The song has that suave texture to it, and Pavlovic sang with an attitude that brought it to life. Not only were the vocals to die for, but the instrumental accompaniment had a buttery flow and groovy beats that were delivered throughout the set.
The band passed around a cigarette for the encore. The first song was a fan favorite, with everyone dancing around the floor and lovers twirling their partners. The band performed their cover of “Murder On The Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bexton, which took a spin on the newly revived song from the 2000s. Then when the audience thought it could not get any better or jump on their feet any higher, they played “Oysters In My Pocket.” The song is certainly their most popular, with 114,350,195 streams on Spotify. The song was a more fast-paced song with a rock-and-roll edge. The lyrics are fun and classically Australian. Finally, they said goodbye with their beloved cover of “Linger” by The Cranberries (as the audience demanded). This song showcased Pavlovic's unique vocals that simply itched a spot in my brain.
I cannot wait until I get to see them again. Hopefully, next time will be in their homeland. I needed a good excuse to visit Australia, and seeing Royel Otis again would definitely suffice.