Rainbow Kitten Surprise electrifies Beak & Skiff

With distinctive, beautiful vocals from lead singer Ela Melo, rotating neon lights radiating from the band’s signature logo on stage and stunning instrumentals, Rainbow Kitten Surprise‘s show at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards Sunday night lived up to its bolstered expectations. 

More than 4,000 eager RKS fans packed the Lafayette venue Sunday night, having waited two years since the North Carolina alternative rock band canceled its 2023 tour stop there when a member was unexpectedly diagnosed with a long-term illness.

The anticipation was abuzz in the early summer evening air as a diverse crowd of longtime RKS megafans, families with young kids and gaggles of Gen X, Y and Zers casually mingled on the Beak & Skiff lawn before the show.

RKS’s high energy was apparent from the get-go, opening the show with “Hide” from the 2018 album How To: Friend, Love, Freefall. Sporting a bright red jersey, lacy tights and leather boots, Melo almost immediately began jumping around the stage with her bandmates with vocals so strong that they sounded essentially identical to the recorded version.

While RKS switched to its newest song, “Dang,” that was released less than two weeks before, fans were ecstatically singing and dancing along as they got into the groove of the show.

RKS soon followed with a triple threat of fan favorites –  “Devil Like Me,” “All’s Well That Ends” and “Painkillers” – all played with the fervor and passion that they deserved.

The evening’s 25-song setlist spanned the band’s releases over the past dozen years with tracks such as “Drop Stop Roll” that brought a passionate electric guitar solo and a hefty pink and green light sequence, which was a personal favorite part of the show. 

Between songs, Melo had a penchant for slipping in her appreciation for the fans’ support over the years and encouraging words for those who made it.

“As soon as you step outside, it’s going to be daylight for you, my friend, and I hope that you find that if that’s what you’re looking for,” Melo told the crowd before launching into another RKS staple, “Cocaine Jesus.”

It felt like the orchards had exploded with nearly everyone on their feet, screaming the words along, with a particular emphasis on “When you find an old picture of us, And you clear away the dust, I hope you miss me sometimes.”

With the crowd energy jacked up, the stage show itself was turned up another notch as night fully set in. The lighting consistently flashed bright fluorescent colors synchronized to each song that elevated the overall RKS experience.

As the show neared its end, there was a glaringly obvious hole in the set list — “All That and More (Sailboat)” had yet to be played. Fans yelled out in between songs requesting it, and when the band took an extra few seconds before the next song’s opening notes, fans passed looks between each other while saying, “Is it Sailboat? Is it Sailboat time?”

The chorus of the main set closer, “Run,” sounded absolutely incredible live, with Melo’s rumbly voice booming through the mic and the crowd clapping along to “Dollar bills, money, money, money, Got ’em hungry for the kill, got ’em hungry for the kill,” followed by an energetic drum and electric guitar rock out. 

For the encore, Melo came out sporting a stunning rainbow tulle jacket that added yet another level to the show’s vibrancy. Approaching the two-hour mark, RKS went with the casual-yet-catchy “Polite Company” and “Thanks for Coming” before wrapping with their biggest singalong anthem, “It’s Called: Freefall.” 

While it’s understandable for a band to close out with its biggest hit, it’s not my personal preference. Also, I was disappointed, along with others, I’m sure, too, that  “All That and More (Sailboat)” was never played.

That being said, RKS knows how to deliver a live show — sounding even better than in-studio because of the show’s immersiveness, ambition and contagious energy. 

Less contagious was RKS’ opening act, Petey USA, a TikTok singer who rose to fame on the social media platform during the pandemic.

At the time of Petey’s performance, the sun was still high in the sky and people were settling into their spots so far less attention was paid to whomever was on stage. 

With a musical style that consisted of a confusing mix between metal, pop-punk and some indie influences, Petey lacked much of a stage presence, which left him unable to connect with the crowd during his 45-minute set.