Rainbow Kitten Surprise closed out the concert season at Jacobs Pavilion with a bang on Tuesday (09.24.27) night. They captivated the crowd with their blend of indie rock, folk, and funk. The band, known for their engaging live shows and emotional connection with the audience, did not disappoint, bringing a mix of fan favorites and new material with the backdrop of the Cleveland skyline behind them.
Medium Build opened, a band I wasn’t familiar with but who set the night’s tone with a great set. Their energy was infectious, and they a good fit to open for Rainbow Kitten Surprise (NB, for the sake of ease, I’m going to shorten the name to RKS from here on).
Lead singer, Nicholas Carpenter was very engaged with the crowd, talking quite a bit between songs and cracking some jokes along the way. He even mentioned the burning river, causing the crowd to have a bit of a mixed reaction, as it usually does. But he won back any doubters throughout his set. At one point he gave a heartwarming speech about being from the Midwest and said not to bury your feelings. He talked about suicide and told anyone in the crowd with those feelings they weren’t alone. It all seemed very sincere and like something he really wanted people to hear. Then he told everyone to scream as loud as they could, which also seemed to work, as they let out quite the roar. After watching RKS, I realized that the crowd engagement made them the perfect opener. He even mentioned how RKS fans were the “best fans ever.”
RKS opened with “Peter Pan,” a dreamy yet powerful newer track, and then followed that with one of the first songs to put them on the indie map, “Cocaine Jesus.” The setlist was a mix of older hits and newer tracks, just like these two. Highlights, of course, included the aforementioned “Cocaine Jesus,” with nearly every audience member singing along. It was one of the most engaged crowds I’ve seen. The singalongs felt like every person in the crowd was singing, not just a handful here and there. Watching lead singer Ela Melo’s moves was another highlight. During “When It Lands,” she crawled across the stage as one of the lead guitarists soloed, the crowd erupting as she did it. Then she danced with newly added bassist Maddie Bouton during “Goodnight Chicago.” Those things happened several times throughout the night, and she looked like she was having so much fun.
If you haven’t heard of RKS, you aren’t alone. They’ve seemed to consistently be right on the verge of mainstream success but have never really made it over that hill, for whatever reason, even if they’re nearly there at this point. They’re well known in the indie scene, of course, but have, in the last couple of years, especially begun to grow bigger than the underground scene. The stress of that success seems to have caused some tension in the band and its members. In the last year especially, they’ve had some ups and downs, canceling significant tour dates on their last tour due to mental health issues and the bassist also leaving the band because of those issues. According to the band, they almost broke up during that time. I’ve also heard that the shows leading up to that weren’t as good as they usually are, but they seemed to have bounced back. None of that stress was apparent in Tuesday’s show. They were present and seemed to enjoy themselves and each other on stage, and the band sounded great.
Melo’s distinctive voice, in particular, was a standout throughout the performance, effortlessly shifting between gentle melodies and rapid-fire lyrics. Melo’s stage presence was magnetic in general—her emotional delivery of “SVO” and “Devil Like Me,” were other standouts, the crowd erupting at the opening of the latter, drawing them into the storytelling at the heart of the band’s music. At moments, she and the band sounded like thetrue indie bands that no doubt influenced them, like Modest Mouse in the vocals and the Pixies with some of the guitar.
The stage production was intimate, with moody lighting and a minimalistic stage design, but just enough to give the members something to do when needed, like walking up and down the steps on stage to perform with different members. But overall, the focus was on the music and lead singer Melo. As I said, the band’s synergy was palpable, and it seemed to be an overall seamless performance.
The show wasn’t only about the music—it was a sensory experience, and at times, one could feel the collective nature. Melo’s banter between songs was warm and engaging, making the large venue feel intimate. It was during those moments when Melo was interacting with the crowd that you felt they earned the reputation of being a band that their fans love. “Y’all’s vibes are great,” Melo said at one point, causing the crowd to erupt again. The crowd’s response was equally passionate; they danced and sang along to almost every song, creating a sense of community that is a hallmark of RKS concerts.
For the encore, Melo came out in a sparkling robe, followed by the lead singer of Medium Build, also in a sparkling robe. They then played the RKS favorite, “It’s Called: Freefall.” The performance was intimate, rousing, and, at times, explosive. The band’s ability to blend different genres into a cohesive and emotionally resonant show is what makes them stand out in the indie music scene. Their performance was a testament to their growth as artists and unwavering connection with their audience. For fans and newcomers alike, it was a reminder of why RKS continues to be one of the most exciting bands to see live.
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