Live Report : Royal Otis bring indie pop and new wave summer vibes to Dublin’s National Stadium

When Royel Otis take the stage, their demeanour is nonchalant. But as the first few chords of their beachy new-wave ring out, they immediately have the crowd moving.

The 27-degree heat provides a fitting summer setting for the band’s sun-drenched indie rock. But a last-minute venue change moves the crowd from what would have been a Fairview Park performance to the National Stadium. Despite the heat, the show feels deeply intimate in the best of ways - a rare treat compared to their more expansive concert appearances.

The band have already graced stages at festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury, garnering shoutouts from the likes of Niall Horan, and featuring on soundtracks for shows such as The Summer I Turned Pretty series.

Up first is the opener, Little Grandad. The newly formed British group, just shy of a year old, is quickly climbing up the ranks, already playing in venues in Paris, Dublin, and Edinburgh.

Composed of brothers Harry and Jack Lower, Ned Ashcroft, and James Brennan, the band channels old-school alternative soft rock with tracks like 'Sleepwalking' and 'Unmasked.' With raspy vocals, and unexpected yet incredible use of trumpet, the set is a great start to a night of indie excellence.

When Royel Otis take the stage, their first few chords have the crowd moving. Maddell’s hair, which famously falls strictly in front of his face, somehow remains immovable despite the constant headbanging.

Songs like ‘Sofa King,’ ‘Kool Aid,' and ‘Who’s Your Boyfriend' have the audience up and moving. For a band so popular on social media, a surprising number of hands remain phone-free, with fans too busy dancing to the infectious summer beats.

‘Come On Home’ and ‘I Hate This Tune’ maintain the energy with a blend of surf rock and indie pop; the lighthearted tracks, emphasised by the keyboards and synthesiser controlled by Tim Ayre, take on a whole new life.

One of their more edgy songs, ‘Moody,’ gets the crowd riled up as they scream, “Last time, she said she would kill me, my girl's a bitch when she's moody.” The lyrics caused some controversy when the song first came out, prompting the band to issue an apology for the ‘misogynistic’ lyrics. Despite the opinion of fans online, the crowd seems to relish the song. As one of their more alternative tracks, the guitars and drums, played by Tim Commandeur, take centre stage, showing Royel Otis shifting gears from a sweet Aussie duo to a more edgy sound.

‘Jazz Burger,’ despite its name, is one of the more emotional songs in their repertoire, slowing things down with a bittersweet indie melody. The quirky lyrics, like “I’m mash and your gravy and peas”, hit surprisingly hard.

They continue the wistful atmosphere with a cover of 'Linger.' Covering The Cranberries is a feat for any artist, especially in front of an Irish crowd, but Royel Otis do Dolores O'Riordan justice.

They’ve clearly learned from the best, having teamed up with The Cranberries' guitarist Noel Hogan for a tribute to the late O'Riordan at the Rolling Stone UK Awards in 2025.  Their version is soft and delicate, completely shifting the atmosphere of the show. The audience stands still, flashing phone lights and singing back the lyrics like a choir, while Ayre moves to the front of the stage with a tambourine to lead the group chant.

Royel Otis first made major headlines with their version of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 'Murder on the Dancefloor' on Triple J radio station. Hearing their rendition live feels both familiar and entirely fresh. The crowd, jumping and clapping, seems to ignore the sweltering heat as they move together in the pit.

After a round of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!" and a brief joke about how Pavlovic’s grandmother is Irish (concluding that "we're all related anyway"), it is time to wrap things up.

Their final and most anticipated song, ‘Oysters in My Pocket,’ is a fitting goodbye. The crowd cheers as the band swings around the stage, taking selfies and sharing hugs, ending a sunny Dublin day with a glowing performance.