(this is a royel otis concert review from night 1 at the troubadour in los angeles)

There are concerts, and then there are moments that feel like time briefly pauses—where music becomes a force bigger than sound, bigger than the venue, bigger than all of us. That’s exactly what happened during night one of Royel Otis’ sold-out run at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. The indie band from Sydney, Australia promised dancing, and fun, and what they gave us was something so much deeper than that. It was communal, electric, and unforgettable.

From the moment they stepped on stage and the first notes of “Kool Aid” rang out, it was clear the night was going to be special. That opening track off Sofa Kings lit a spark in the room that never once faded. Everyone in the crowd—about 500 of us packed into that tiny, historic venue—was instantly locked in. Strangers became friends, friends became a collective wave of energy, and the band became the sun we all orbited.

Roy’s connection to his guitar is nothing short of transcendent. You can see the love, the respect, and the playfulness in the way he plays—it’s like the guitar is an extension of him, not just an instrument. And Otis? That voice. It’s soulful, aching, dreamy, and intimate all at once. When he sings, it doesn’t just fill the room—it lifts you out of it. Together, Roy and Otis create something that feels more like an experience than a performance. It’s trance-like. A beautiful, glittering, sweaty dream you don’t want to wake up from.

One of the most magical things about this show was the way it brought people of all ages and walks of life together. I saw kids dancing with their parents. Older fans swaying alongside college students. Every single person in that room was feeling something real. For an hour and a half, we all existed on the same emotional frequency, completely present, completely alive. It was one of those rare live music experiences where you could feel that you were part of something meaningful.

The setlist was a perfect journey through their growing discography. From Bar & Grill gems like “Warm Nights” and the fan-favorite “Oysters In My Pocket” to powerful cuts from their debut album PRATTS & PAIN like “Heading For The Door” and “Adored,” the night was a showcase of the band’s versatility and emotional range. Every song had its moment—some you could cry to, others you had no choice but to dance through.

I was a little heartbroken that they didn’t play my personal favorite, “Motels,” but it honestly didn’t even matter in the end. The way the night unfolded felt so intentional, so lovingly curated. Plus, the surprises made up for it in a big way. Not only did they gift us a few unreleased songs, they also played their upcoming single “Moody,” which officially drops tomorrow (May 9th). The fact that the entire crowd already knew the lyrics to an unreleased song speaks volumes about the love and dedication of Royel Otis fans. I was screaming right alongside everyone else—it felt like a celebration, like we were welcoming the song into the world together.

And I can’t not mention the covers. When they played “Murder on the Dance Floor,” the room exploded. Everyone danced like it was the last night on Earth. And then later, they hit us with “Linger,” and it was almost too much—so tender, so moving, like a collective sigh of nostalgia and beauty. Royel Otis have this incredible ability to take songs we all know and somehow make them feel entirely new while still honoring the original emotion. It’s a rare gift.

By the end of the show, we were sweaty, glowing, and buzzing with something unnameable. It wasn’t just the music—it was the shared experience. It was the way they made us feel like we were a part of something. Royel Otis didn’t just perform; they welcomed us into their world and reminded us of how powerful music can be.

They always leave me with that same feeling: the world is my oyster, and joy is a choice I can make—and I’ll always choose to be at a Royel Otis concert.

If you take anything away from this review, let it be this: grab a ticket for their upcoming Meet Me in the Car tour. It kicks off in August, and trust me, you do not want to miss it. Because some nights change you, and Royel Otis are the kind of band that delivers those nights again and again.

Words and Phots by Sthefany N.