The Emptiness Is Godly Tour - Royal & The Serpent
06.25.26 - Austin, TX
Royal & The Serpent on her second headlining tour across the U.S. to share her most recent album release, Emptiness Is Godly, was something you wouldn’t have wanted to miss. She made it clear on her social media platforms that this tour would primarily highlight the songs off this album, a collection of chaotic devotions and careful admissions. The crowd was aware and ready for the evening ahead, and it’s hard to describe with justice the weight and scene that was present that night in Austin.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
Opening up the night, Snow Wife and Slush Puppy created a DJ/rave set that got the crowd warmed up for the rest of the show ahead. The duo captured the attention of the room by abandoning the main stage and choosing instead to claim the floor. Out of Houston, Snow Wife was found at the center of the crowd, getting in the faces of the fans in front of her, pulling them in to dance with her, and overall encouraging the crowd to get out of their heads and just have fun. Slush Puppy, out of San Diego, was behind the DJ booth keeping the music consistent and the vibes right; he’d take his opportunities to hop on stage and dance above the crowd, reaching out to Snow Wife below him, urging the crowd to be loud and unapologetic that evening.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
Together they kept every member of the crowd captivated and engaged, performing originals, remixes, and covers, and the room was sweating by the time their set ended. Just enough energy was released before Royal & The Serpent took the stage herself, and the second her set began, the crowd grew quiet.
Royal’s set began with a monologue, a motif in most of her shows, asking the crowd to be in the moment. The ending of the monologue pulled me in immediately: "If you’re feeling happy, sing; if you’re feeling sad, cry; and if you’re feeling inspired, record.” A lot of recent tours have gained attention due to their “device-free” rules; Royal did the opposite and encouraged her audience to pull out their phones as long as they felt everything the night had in store.
Ryan, aka Royal & The Serpent, has done a lot to provide a safe space and welcoming community for anyone that wanders in and discovers her music. Her music covers everything from self-healing to longing to save a relationship. Her lyrics and melodies pull you in and do well to resonate with listeners in similar headspaces to the ones her music is from the perspective of.
Crowd favorites off the new album like “Bleed For It” and “Carry Me Home” got the crowd loud, hands raised in praise, tears in some of the crowd members' eyes. To the few I spoke to, whether it was their first time witnessing Royal & The Serpent live or not, a commonality was shared amongst them all; the night meant something. They were in a space surrounded by like-minded peers that just wanted to see the person that created some of their favorite pieces of music perform in front of them. Dancing and singing along with Royal, reaching out to her on stage as they let the energy in the room overtake them.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
Throughout her set, Royal had a multitude of props, outfit changes, and instrumental intermissions to emphasize certain emotions with every shift in tone or melody. Growing up dancing, Royal took the chance to perform with every song. Contemporary dance is just as important in how she portrays her art for her listeners. Her use of props in collaboration with her performative dynamic made it impossible to look away, and if you did, the next second she’d be on the floor face-to-face with you, dripping herself in red paint or having an organic outfit change on stage.
Royal & The Serpent is a performer through and through, understanding what it is her audience looks for in her sets but still staying true to what the meaning is she wants to get across. Catching a glimpse into her world through the Emptiness Is Godly Tour was beautiful in the simplest terms; she’s paving a new path for music and the relationships an artist can share with their audience, one that’s admired. It’s hard to find an artist that remains true to themselves without a second opinion of the industry while they are able to discover their own way in this world. Royal & The Serpent is the epitome of a rare find. Her latest album, Emptiness is Godly, is out everywhere and available to stream, and though her tour is coming to an end, she has more shows coming up in Europe along with more announcements. Catch her if you can on her next run.
