Emerging Australian indie duo Royel Otis has unexpectedly found themselves at the forefront of the international music scene, securing fifth place on BBC Radio 1’s prestigious Sound of 2026 list. The band, comprising Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic, initially never aspired to become a major touring act but has rapidly evolved into a professional operation with sold-out shows across the globe.
The recognition comes following a remarkable year that saw the duo perform 81 concerts and sell over 100,000 tickets worldwide, including 60,000 in the United States alone. Their inclusion on the predictive list—voted by an international panel of 170 music industry experts including Sir Elton John—places them alongside previous fifth-place recipients like Rosalía, Central Cee, and George Ezra.
Formed in 2019 through an introduction by their respective girlfriends in Byron Bay, New South Wales, the duo discovered their musical chemistry almost immediately. Despite geographical proximity and family connections (Maddell’s father was friends with Pavlovic’s uncle), it took their partners to finally bring them together. Their sound, characterized by jangly guitars and layered vocals, draws inspiration from The Cure, Oasis, and the Alessi Brothers’ 1976 soft rock classic ‘Seabird’.
The band’s breakthrough came unexpectedly through viral cover performances. Their indie reinterpretation of Sophie Ellis Bextor’s ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ in January 2024 gained significant traction, followed four months later by a cover of The Cranberries’ ‘Linger’ that entered the US Top 100 and became their most streamed track on Spotify with 223 million plays.
Despite their rapid success, the musicians maintain a grounded perspective. Maddell continues to use a stage name (born Leroy Bressington) and hides behind his neon pink fringe, admitting, ‘I still feel a bit nervous’ about their newfound fame. The touring lifestyle has come with personal sacrifices, including ended relationships and missed family moments due to their relentless schedule.
The duo has released two albums at breakneck speed: 2024’s ‘Pratts & Pain’ (named after a London pub) and 2025’s ‘Hickey,’ which addressed the personal toll of their touring lifestyle. The latter earned them their first UK chart entry and nominations for best group and best rock album at Australia’s Aria Awards, despite a controversial start with the lead single ‘Moody’ facing criticism for seemingly misogynistic lyrics.
As they enter 2026 with industry recognition and growing international acclaim, Royel Otis represents the modern dichotomy of musical success: embracing unexpected opportunities while maintaining artistic integrity and personal well-being amidst the demands of global fame.