Royel Otis: The Australian Indie Duo Set to Dominate 2026

5 January 2026 Music

Rising Stars Earn BBC Recognition

Royel Otis’s cosmic, sun-kissed indie anthems (and a viral cover of Murder On The Dancefloor) have put them on the map – and earned them fifth place on BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2026. The band – made up of twenty-somethings Royel Maddell (guitar) and Otis Pavlovic (lead vocals, guitar) – has captured the attention of the music industry with their distinctive sound and energetic performances.

After an exhausting 2025 that saw them complete 81 shows, including three sold-out concerts at London’s Brixton Academy, the Australian duo is entering the new year with serious momentum. Their journey from Byron Bay, New South Wales, to international recognition demonstrates the power of authentic musical chemistry and relentless touring.

Chart Success and Critical Acclaim

The duo’s recent achievements extend far beyond touring milestones. After acclaimed debuts at the Glastonbury and Reading festivals, their album gave the band their first UK chart entry, and earned Royel Otis nominations for best group and best rock album at Australia’s Aria Awards. With 9.6m monthly Spotify listeners, 59m YouTube views, four ARIA Awards, and praise from NME, Rolling Stone UK, Dork (5*), The Independent and more, Royel Otis are entering 2026 with serious momentum.

Their track ‘moody’ has been particularly successful, reaching number one on both the US AAA Mediabase and Billboard charts for more than seven weeks, making Royel Otis the first new act to reach number one in 2025. The song also secured A-List rotation on BBC 6 Music, demonstrating the band’s growing international appeal.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Despite their gruelling schedule, the band has been on the bus for the last two years, with plans to take January off before starting work on writing new music. Royel Otis have announced a run of UK headline shows for June 2026, with performances confirmed for Dublin, Birmingham, Halifax and Bristol. The Australian duo will also join Foo Fighters at Anfield Stadium on 27 June as part of the rock legends’ European stadium tour.

For fans and industry observers alike, Royel Otis represents the perfect blend of infectious melodies, authentic charm, and tireless work ethic. As they take time to recharge and create new material, 2026 promises to cement their status as one of indie rock’s most exciting new acts on the global stage.