![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sanders_RoyelOtis-28.jpg\")
Credit: Elaine Sanders<\/p>\nI discovered Australian indie-rock duo Royel Otis somewhat accidentally during a late-night, insomnia-induced TikTok scroll. Onscreen was a video of bassist and guitarist Royel Maddell and lead singer Otis Pavlovic performing a cover of The Cranberries\u2019 \u201cLinger.\u201d It stopped me in my tracks. I had never heard a voice like Pavlovic\u2019s: delicate as lace, yet powerful enough to pull me into the duo\u2019s orbit.<\/p>\n
I immediately opened Spotify and worked my way through their discography. Over the next year, I\u2019d return to their music time and again, with that Cranberries\u2019 cover consistently occupying my mind.<\/p>\n
Arriving at the Santa Barbara Bowl on July 9 to see them perform live, I hoped Pavlovic\u2019s voice wasn\u2019t just the result of clever editing. It was a warm summer evening at the Bowl, the kind that reminds you why outdoor concerts are in a league of their own.<\/p>\n
Credit: Elaine Sanders<\/p>\n
Before Royel Otis took the stage, Chicago-based alternative indie-rock band Ax and the Hatchetmen opened the show. I had never heard of them before, but quickly found myself enjoying their set. Members Axel Ellis, Salvatore Defilippis, Hunter Olshefke, Phil Pistone, Quinn Dolan, and Chaandmon Croft brought contagious energy, with Ellis even pulling off what I consider the ultimate rock-and-roll stunt: performing a guitar solo while lying flat on his back.<\/p>\n
As the sun bid farewell, the main act took the stage. Pavlovic, dressed in a casual gray sweatshirt, greeted the audience with a \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Santa Barbara,\u201d delivered in his addictive Australian accent.<\/p>\n
His elusive other half, Maddell, hid behind a mop of pink hair. I remembered from the \u201cLinger\u201d video that Maddell kept his face hidden behind his hair, and he did the same throughout the show. I later learned this was intentional \u2014 he prefers to remain in the shadows, and it reportedly helps ease his stage anxiety. Looking him up later on Instagram only reinforced the mystery. His profile was private. \u201cI make music with Otis. If you have any more questions read this bio again,\u201d his bio reads, directing would-be stalkers to Royel Otis\u2019s Instagram.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sanders_RoyelOtis-19.jpg\")
Credit: Elaine Sanders<\/p>\n
The pair kept the production refreshingly minimal, with a single rectangular screen suspended above them serving as the show\u2019s only visual prop. Throughout the night, it flashed a rotating series of playful, often sarcastic messages. During some songs, it displayed grainy Super 8\u2013style footage.<\/p>\n
At the start of their set, the phrase \u201c(welcome to the show)\u201d appeared, and with the opening chord of \u201ci hate this tune\u201d from their 2025 album Hickey, it became clear that Pavlovic\u2019s ethereal voice \u2014 the one I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about \u2014 was real.<\/p>\n
After singing \u201cwho\u2019s your boyfriend now,\u201d again from Hickey, Pavlovic addressed the audience. \u201cThis venue\u2019s cool,\u201d he said. \u201cFeels like our home in Australia \u2014 you guys are fucking awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
The duo worked through their catalog, playing fan favorites including \u201cKool Aid\u201d from their 2023 album Sofa Kings before transitioning into \u201cMoody\u201d from Hickey.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sanders_RoyelOtis-18.jpg\")
Credit: Elaine Sanders<\/p>\n
Each song was accompanied by another tongue-in-cheek message on the overhead screen. \u201cThis is a song about not wanting someone to leave,\u201d one read. Another simply stated, \u201cThis is a song about being homesick.\u201d<\/p>\n
Between songs, Pavlovic continued to express his gratitude for playing the Bowl.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is unbelievable for us,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope you know that this is like a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally, the unmistakable opening chords of \u201cLinger\u201d rang out, and a message appeared on the screen asking the audience to \u201chelp us sing this one.\u201d Everyone clapped along in unison, and Pavlovic told the crowd they \u201chave voices of angels.\u201d It felt like a full-circle moment, from first watching the duo on my phone screen to finally hearing them perform the song live. It was just as good, if not better, than when I first heard it.<\/p>\n
The band then launched into \u201cSofa King.\u201d Onscreen, the words \u201cSanta Barbara, you\u2019re so fucking gorgeous\u201d appeared, riffing on the song\u2019s lyrics. Throughout the performance, \u201cSanta Barbara\u201d was swapped out for names including Sydney, Dan Kenny, Chris, and Amanda. I kept waiting for \u201cTiana,\u201d though I knew it probably wasn\u2019t coming.<\/p>\n
They also surprised the audience with a cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor\u2019s \u201cMurder on the Dancefloor,\u201d which quickly brought much of the crowd to its feet.<\/p>\n
They followed with \u201cSay Something\u201d from Hickey, claiming it was the last song of the night. But I knew they were pulling our legs \u2014 they still hadn\u2019t played their beloved 2022 single, \u201cOysters in My Pocket.\u201d After some convincing from the audience, they returned to the stage for an encore.<\/p>\n
First came \u201cSweet Hallelujah\u201d from their 2026 album of the same name. Then, at last, they closed the night with the long-awaited hit.<\/p>\n
As Pavlovic sang the lyrics, \u201cOysters in my pocket, I\u2019ll save them for lunch,\u201d I found myself briefly wondering how long oysters could actually survive in one\u2019s pocket before going bad. Then I laughed at the absurdity of the thought, swaying along as the warm summer breeze brushed across my face. At that moment \u2014 oysters in pockets, music in the air \u2014 I was reminded why the Santa Barbara Bowl is so special.<\/p>\n
![\"Bohnett](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sanders_Hurtado-2.jpg\")