The recent heatwave scorched into West Yorkshire just in time for Royel Otis’ visit to The Piece Hall, leaving Halifax enjoying temperatures that probably suited the Australian duo more than a typical Yorkshire evening.
Thankfully, there was plenty to keep the crowd occupied before the headline act emerged. The Rosadocs crossed over from South Yorkshire and eased everyone in with a set of breezy, jangly indie, while Liverpool’s Luvcat injected attitude and swagger, delivering a powerful performance to keep the energy high, despite the oppressive heat.
Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic wasted no time once they arrived. Their 23-song set rattled through at a pace, lasting around 75 minutes, with barely a pause between tracks. Much of their catalogue features concise songwriting and, with conversation kept to a minimum, the first half feels almost too efficient. The songs are good, but it takes a while for the atmosphere to catch up. It’s a Radio 1 crowd delivering a distinctly Radio 2 vibe.
There are some nice touches. The pair continue their habit of tailoring lyrics to each venue, slipping in a “meet me in Halifax” where the tour’s Meet Me In The Car would usually appear. The production is equally understated: side lighting from half a dozen fixtures and a narrow screen across the back of the stage displaying simple messages explaining the songs. Come On Home is introduced with “this is a song about feeling homesick”, while Shut Up comes with “this is a song about not wanting someone to leave”. There’s little in the way of spectacle, leaving the songs to stand on their own.
For a while though, they don’t quite do enough. The opening stretch drifts by pleasantly without ever really catching fire. More To Lose finally raises the pulse with its driving beat, only for Jazz Burger to ease things back again.
The breakthrough comes with a great cover of The Cranberries’ Linger. Suddenly the crowd finds its voice. Someone is hoisted on shoulders for the first time all evening, and from there the atmosphere doesn’t look back. Motels keeps things moving before I Wanna Dance With You proves less a song title than a readily accepted invitation. As the evening air finally starts to cool, the dancing heats up.
Bull Breed turns into a communal karaoke session with the lyrics projected behind the band, although no prompts are needed for Fried Rice, as the crowd screams every word straight back at the stage. A punchy cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder On The Dancefloor sweeps away any lingering mid-tempo feel from earlier in the night, before Say Something sends voices echoing around the historic stone walls of The Piece Hall.
It took its time getting there, but Royel Otis finished with a flourish. Maybe, on one of the hottest nights of the year, nobody wanted to peak too early. By the end, though, Halifax had gone from gently two-stepping along to throwing itself into the party, and everyone headed home feeling they’d seen a show that only got better as it went on.
