Almost exactly a year to date since Royel Otis last played Glasgow, in the more intimate SWG3 TV Studio, their return to a packed-out O2 Academy felt like a well-deserved milestone. Walking into the venue, it was obvious just how much the band have grown in the past year. What once felt like a rising indie act testing the waters now felt like a band confidently stepping into a bigger space, fully ready for it.
The night kicked off with support from Still Blank, who did exactly what you want from an opener: warmed the room up, got the early crowd moving, and set the tone for what was to come. By the time Royel Otis walked onstage, the anticipation had built into something electric.
I’ve had Royel Otis on my must-see list for a long time, so there was something special about finally getting to experience the songs I’ve lived with through headphones and videos in real life. They opened with visuals that synced perfectly with each track, instantly elevating the live show and giving the performance an immersive feel.
This tour arrives in support of their third album, Hickey, released in late August, giving us fans just enough time to soak in the new tracks. Songs like Who’s Your Boyfriend Now and Moody landed with huge reception, proving that the new material has already woven itself into the fanbase’s favourites.
As is practically a rite of passage for touring artists in Glasgow, the band made sure to come prepared with a bottle of Buckfast in hand. A small gesture, but one that always goes down well in Glasgow.
The set dipped into older material, with Kool Aid, Sofa King and Foam bringing a burst of warm Australian surf-rock that cut through the bite of a cold Glasgow evening. They also leaned into the covers that helped boost them into indie icons. Their take on Linger by The Cranberries prompted a mass singalong encouraged by the onscreen graphics, Glasgow didn’t need to be asked twice to join in.
Later, their rendition of Murder on the Dancefloor flipped the whole venue from chilled indie gig to full disco and the room absolutely lapped it up. Everyone in the room was dancing to this crowd pleaser.
Throughout the set, the visuals stayed central. During I Wanna Dance With You, the band got the crowd waving their arms in unison which everyone obliged to.
They closed the main set with Fried Rice, before returning for an encore of Oyster in My Pocket, sending the crowd out into the night buzzing.
What stood out most wasn’t just how well they played, but how natural this bigger venue felt for them. A year on from SWG3, Royel Otis didn’t just fill the O2 Academy, they owned it. If their growth over the past year is anything to go by, Glasgow better be ready: they’ll be moving up venue next time.
Review & Photographs by Lynsey Wyllie
