Just days out from their Glastonbury debut, Royel Otis are taking a detour through East London tonight (Monday, June 23) for a surprise acoustic pop-up at Howl at the Moon on Hoxton Street.
Doors are at 6:30pm and entry is of course, free.
If you’ve seen them live before — or even just caught a glimpse of their “slightly too cooked at a house party” energy online — you already know how this’ll go. Expect stripped-back versions of the indie-pop gems that made them one of Australia’s most exciting exports, plus a few covers, singalongs and likely some banter that shouldn’t be repeated in polite company.
The band announced the pop-up the way all good ones should be: casually, last-minute, with a promise of “good times, great classic hits, fun drinks and exclusive merch.” No glossy graphics, no RSVP links, just a time, a place, and a trust in their fans to show up and cause some gentle trouble.
It’s a smart move too — before they’re playing Worthy Farm in front of a thousand sweaty strangers, they’re kicking off the week in a tiny pub surrounded by the people who actually know the lyrics to “Sofa King” and “Heading For The Door.” Glasto’s going to be big, but tonight will be the epitome of intimacy. I can practically see the hundred and fifty Aussies complete with mullets and staches awaiting them.
There’ll be merch you can’t get anywhere else. Possibly some soft-launches of newer material like their new track Car. Definitely at least one cover that turns into a pub-wide karaoke moment. And that rare, fleeting feeling that you’ve caught a band in the exact window between buzzy and massive.
So yeah, if you’re in London and you’ve got half a brain and functioning legs, make your way to 178 Hoxton Street tonight. Royel Otis are in town, and the pre-Glasto party starts here.
