Concert Review: Rainbow Kitten Surprise makes a riveting return
By: Dylan Basden
Rainbow Kitten Surprise make their second trip to Nashville, Tennessee in 2024 with their largest headline show in the city to date.
Out in support of their new album, Love Hate Music Box, Rainbow Kitten Surprise seek to reaffirm and rejuvenate after a bumpy few years. Their first album in over half a decade, their last coming out in 2018, Love Hate Music Box sees the band pivot their sound to lean more heavily into their pop/hip-hop side as opposed to their early concoction of folk, rock, and the aforementioned two. Paired with the slow return to normalcy after 2020, a string of cancelled tours due to mental health concerns, and the loss of former fan-favorite bassist Charlie Holt, Rainbow Kitten Surprise seemed to be heading into uncharted waters as they tackle Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater (not to mention the massive Post Malone concert competing with them just across the river at Nissan Stadium).
Whatever fears of regression or fallout were soon diminished. Turnout was fantastic. The crowd was eager. It was clear even after being away for so long (aside from a small test-run show at Brooklyn Bowl this summer) fans were more than excited to see their favorite band back in the groove. After opening with “Peter Pan,” also the first track on the new album, the band effortless strode into “Cocaine Jesus,” a notorious fan favorite. A track that some bands might have saved for their encore, it sent a clear message that the band has a whole lot more left in store.
A healthy balance of all four of the band’s albums could be felt throughout the night, with groovier and more exciting tracks from How To: Friend, Love, Freefall like “Fever Pitch” giving way to warmer, rootsy tracks like “Goodnight Chicago” off of their self-titled project. It truly was a masterclass of balance, providing room for newer songs to live and flourish while also protecting the fan favorites that brought them where they are today. Truthfully the only song I was surprised to see not make the cut was “Lady Lie,” but given the 23 tracks across their setlist, you would be hard pressed to truly be upset by any non-inclusions.
I was particularly impressed by “Devil Like Me,” a longtime favorite from their debut, the energy the band brought to back it up was immense. Not only did the song carry a ton of weight between the bombastic drumming and deep bass, the production also elevated t as the band’s team cast light over the crowd and silhouetted the band. Given, the audience also made this moment special, singing back every word without hesitation and responding one-for-one energy wise, feeding right back into the band.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise has always been a live band, with their performances always exceeding even my loftiest expectations. Front woman Ela Melo has always been a central performer, with dance moves that are akin to a sort of interpretive dance, her ability to not only impress vocally but visually has always been a strength. Backing her up were bandmates Bozzy Keller and Ethan Goodpaster on guitars, and while yes, the band may have made a sonic shift, there are still absolutely a rock band and these two made sure of it. The band also carried a trio of session musicians who filled out the performance, with drummer Jess Haney making a special appearance after missing the tour for parental leave.
In the face of the unknown, Rainbow Kitten Surprise have not only reaffirmed their place in the alternative music landscape, they have full on rejuvenated it. You can only keep a good band down for so long, and after a few tough blows I think Rainbow Kitten Surprise have come back stronger than ever. While some fans may still bemoan the cancellations and Charlie’s departure, it is safe to say Rainbow Kitten Surprise hasn’t crested their peak yet. This band is still climbing and still has a lot of get-up left in them.
View the full photo gallery here.