The Franklin Music Hall has seen countless legends grace its stage, but on Friday night, it felt like a homecoming for a band on the brink of becoming one. The line to get into Royel Otis’s sold-out show, the first stop on the North American leg of their “Meet Met in the Car” tour, snaked around the block for what felt like miles. Sold out would be an understatement; this was a pilgrimage. It was a crowd buzzing with the kinetic energy of a band that, with the release of their new album Hicky, has become more than just an indie-rock darling.
The stage was simple but effective, a backdrop of a sheer black wall that served as a blank canvas for the show’s most unique visual element. Before each song, a new, custom message would appear, written in a stark, white font. Sometimes it was a single word "Moody" and other times it was a cryptic line of poetry, an inside joke, or a lyrical hint. This wasn't a standard visualizer, it was an intimate conversation with the crowd, a personalized note from the band that deepened the connection with every chord.
Royel Maddell (lead guitar) and Otis Pavlovic (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) were a study in cool confidence, their chemistry an unspoken language of knowing glances and synchronized strumming. They were a tight-knit unit, backed by the masterful Tim Ayre on keys and synths, whose atmospheric flourishes elevated the new songs from the record, and the powerhouse drumming of Tim Commandeur, who gave every track a driving, irresistible pulse.
The setlist was a masterclass in pacing, weaving together sun-drenched new cuts from Hicky with beloved tracks from their earlier EPs. The crowd, a sea of nodding heads and singing mouths, was locked in from the first note. But the moment that truly transcended the venue came when the first, unmistakable notes of The Cranberries’ 1993 classic, “Linger,” filled the room. The roar was immediate and deafening. Pavlovic’s voice, a little raspier and a lot more earnest, gave the cover new life. The crowd, however, took over. Every single person in the Franklin Music Hall seemed to sing every single word in perfect, heartfelt harmony.
As the chorus swelled, a spontaneous and powerful act of collective emotion, Pavlovic took a moment. He reached up, pulled out his in-ear monitor, and a proud wide smile broke across his face as he let the sound of the crowd wash over him. In that instant, it was clear that this was more than just a concert. It was a moment of shared joy, a testament to the power of a timeless song, and a quiet confirmation that Royel Otis's ascent is not just deserved but destined.
Next Stops on Tour:
Sep 13, 2025 Asbury Park, NJ
Sep 14, 2025 Washington, DC
Sep 16, 2025 Raleigh, NC
Sep 17, 2025 Atlanta, GA
Sep 19, 2025 Dallas, TX
Sep 20, 2025 Austin, TX
Review and Photography by: Craig Eidell