Inside Seaside has just confirmed their Saturday headliner for 2025, and it’s a name I didn’t expect to see in Gdańsk so soon: Royel Otis. The Australian duo has been quietly carving their own path in the alt-pop world, and this autumn they’ll bring their shimmering, slightly warped sound to Amberexpo for what promises to be a standout set.
If you haven’t stumbled across them yet, Royel Otis is the combined force of Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic – two musicians who clearly know how to write songs that stay with you. Their music blends indie pop, synth touches, and a dose of hazy psychedelia, without ever feeling forced or overly retro. There’s contrast in everything they do: upbeat grooves with melancholic undertones, sharp riffs against dreamy harmonies. It sounds like summer slowly fading into night.
Their debut album “Pratts & Pain” came out in 2024. It’s full of moments that make you stop and think, then start dancing five seconds later. And yes, they also turned heads with their surprisingly great cover of “Murder on the Dancefloor”, but there’s much more to them than that viral hit.
What I’m most curious about is how they’ll translate that balance of intimacy and energy on stage. From what I’ve seen, their live shows are equal parts loose and emotional – the kind of gig where you lose track of time and forget you’re indoors. Gdańsk’s crowd is usually one of the most open-minded around, and I’ve got a feeling this will click beautifully.
Inside Seaside’s line-up is already stacked: Franz Ferdinand, The Kills, Sigrid, Altın Gün, DEADLETTER, Fisz Emade Tworzywo, Baasch, and more. Royel Otis fits in perfectly – not a copy of anyone else on the bill, just their own thing entirely.
One-day tickets are on sale now if you want to focus your festival energy, but I’d still recommend going all in. November 8-9 in Gdańsk might not sound like your typical festival weather, but that’s what makes Inside Seaside so interesting. It’s about sound, sweat, lights, and something to carry you through the cold months ahead.
I hope I’’ll be there with a camera and a grin. See you under the lights.
