Much like their band name, Rainbow Kitten Surprise created a unique show experience during their second of two nights at The Caverns.
While the headliners had the crowd dancing by the time it was their time to shine, The Brook & The Bluff got the party started early. From the beginning of their 45-minute set, the Nashville-based group had the audience grooving with their infectious tracks. Lead singer Joseph Settine was absolutely engaging, showcasing moves as he twisted and later led fans in a step-touch dance, which consisted of patrons moving from side to side. It was even more fun to see the majority of the crowd follow Settine’s directions as they swayed during a track.
The majority of The Brook & The Bluff’s set consisted of original tracks, but there was an additional cover thrown into the mix. The group placed their twist on Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up The Sun,” so much so that it took a little while for the audience to realize what song was being performed. Once fans identified the tune, they began singing the words back to the band.
Minutes later, the band received their biggest applause of the night when the opening notes of their original tune, “Halfway Up,” came through the speakers. The Brook & The Bluff closed out their set with another fan-favorite track, “Doobie Bronson,” as they left the stage to quite the ovation.
While Rainbow Kitten Surprise has performed several shows in the last few months, the group is now embarking on their first tour since late 2019. Despite the gap, fans are flocking to see the band, and so far has sold out 20 of the 35 announced dates. In fact, during Saturday’s show, several crowd members traveled from various parts of the country to be in attendance. Rainbow Kitten Surprises’ ability to create an all-inclusive environment is a significant reason for that devoted fandom, most notably with the LGBTQ community.While sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some band members were forced to confront personal issues. Before getting this tour underway, Rainbow Kitten Surprise reintroduced itself on social media, including sharing the news that lead singer Ela Melo had begun her transition to womanhood and that bassist Charlie Holt identifies as non-binary. With a message of acceptance, it’s no shock that audience members are taking up the invitations to be a part of a safe yet inclusive space to enjoy a remarkable concert.
Despite performing in a venue with a 1,2000 patron capacity, Rainbow Kitten Surprise turned Saturday’s sold-out performance into an intimate showcase. While effective, several layers went into creating that experience for fans. Firstly, the setlist was comprised of crowd favorites from the band’s three-album discography. Secondly, Rainbow Kitten Surprise engaged the audience early into their set, getting those fans to dance throughout the group’s nearly hour and 45-minute performance.
Additionally, there were some intimate moments on Saturday, including during the band’s performance of their newest single, “Work Out.” One of Rainbow Kitten Surprises’ strengths has always been their lyrics, which was evident in the latest release. The fans on social media weren’t quiet about their appreciation, and the group released a lyric video on April 6.
“Sometimes, the hardest passage is the one that heals the most,” Melo said. “That’s what we were looking for when we went into the studio to record this song – healing. That’s what we got from it as well.” While recording new music was beneficial for Melo and company, so was being back on the road. It was evident that Rainbow Kitten Surprise thoroughly enjoyed their time on stage, which felt cathartic for some band members.
One final piece went into creating an intimate showcase on Saturday, an undervalued tool – lighting. Throughout the set, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, with the help of Wide Open Productions, Inc., utilized a multitude of colors, disco balls, and strobes effectively as the dazzling lights bounced off The Caverns’ walls. Combined with the band’s stellar performance, those sights turned Saturday’s showcase into a heavenly and dreamlike state.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise has the first half of their two-leg tour underway. The remaining tour dates can be viewed here.
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