Rainbow Kitten Surprise rolled through Starlight last Friday on their Love Hate Music Box Tour
Rainbow Kitten Surprise // Photo by Zoe Strohm
Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/ Ethan Regan
Starlight Theatre
Friday, Sept. 27
Rainbow Kitten Surprise sold out Starlight Theatre on last Friday’s stop of the Love Hate Music Box tour, bringing new songs and friends since their last Kansas City stop in 2022. The alt rock band hailing out of Boone, North Carolina, blends the rough and tumble themes from past albums with the new, brighter era that comes with the release of album Love Hate Music Box for a setlist that’s unforgettable—albeit with a bit of emotional whiplash.
Indie-folk artist Ethan Regan joined the band, starting the night off with Chappell Roan covers and a soft country vibe. The softer, acoustic set was a great way to ride out the sunset before getting into the act to follow.
After some illness and mental health concerns, the last two Rainbow Kitten Surprise tours have been cut short and for good reason. After former bassist Charlie Holt took leave and some time off, the band is back on the road, and they did not disappoint.
Lead singer Ela Melo is joined by Guitar player and back up vocalist Darrick “Bozzy” Keller, electric guitarist Ethan Goodpaster, Jess Haney on drums, and touring bassist Maddie Bouton, who, despite filling in as a temporary replacement for the gap Holt left, fits in with the band like she’s been there forever.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise // Photo by Zoe Strohm
The band’s first three albums, Seven + Mary, RKS, and How To: Friend, Love, Freefall, are a picture perfect example of what makes indie/alt music what it truly is. From the more indie-folk sound of “Heart,” to the heavy rock instrumentals of “It’s Called: Freefall,” Rainbow Kitten Surprise refuses to place itself in a single genre.
Each show hosts its own unique setlist, with each album getting an almost equal amount of representation. Melo and the band create an experience that is impossible to recreate, giving fans a chance to have a show they can really call their own.
In a pink dress donned with frills and bows, Melo almost became the ballerina from the “Love Hate Music Box,” each spin making her dress become the tutu. Melo radiates energy that can be felt throughout the whole crowd, a clear pride in her work and what it has taken for the band to get back to the stage. Throughout each interaction with band members and the crowd, there is nothing but pure love and excitement for the performance.
While the band has had its rocky past, Rainbow Kitten Surprise has proved they are ready to make their music heard. While remaining faithful to their indie roots, the band and its music have taken on a whole new form, and time and time again, proved they’ll keep coming back, even better than before.
All photos by Zoe Strohm:
Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Rainbow Kitten Surprise Setlist:
All That and More (Sailboat)
LOL
Hide
Seven
Moody Orange
Low as We Go
All’s Well That Ends
SVO
Goodnight Chicago
Mr. Redundant
Devil Like Me
Our Song
Heart
First Class
Fever Pitch
Drop Stop Roll
When It Lands
Sickset
Cocaine Jesus
That’s My Shit
Matchbox
Superstar
Encore
Thanks for Coming
It’s Called: Freefall
Ethan Regan
