The alternative rock indie band performed at O2 Academy Brixton
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY CHARLOTTE ALEX
Peering over the iconic ledge of the O2 Academy Brixton, the crowd is rumbling with excitement. There are fans in band tees, couples of all ages, and solo listeners, all staring directly at the stage. And then, a crescendo. It’s electric. That is the kind of stage presence that Rainbow Kitten Surprise elicits.
Coming all the way from North Carolina, American alternative rock indie band Rainbow Kitten Surprise (RKS) has been pumping out tunes since 2013. Composed of Ela Melo, Darrick “Bozzy” Keller, Ethan Goodpaster and Jess Haney, the band has released five studio albums. RKS quickly became a home for LGBTQIA+ listeners, especially after lead singer Ela came out as trans in 2022.
The band’s UK eight-stop headline tour follows the release of their latest track Never Have I Ever, marking the first time RKS has toured in the UK in three years. It also celebrates the release of their album Bones, released last September.
Rainbow lights, lots of dancing and plenty of guitar solos soon left the room thumping, jumping and grooving to the unmistakable sound of RKS. It was refreshing to see a band look like they were genuinely having fun on stage, complete with whimsical choreography and lots of spins.
A particularly special moment saw the band crowd around a microphone on stage to perform some of their hits acoustically. Despite being physically in Brixton, London, RKS soon transported every member of the crowd to Appalachia. It was seamless, it was fun, it was moving.
Crowd favourites included hits like Cocaine Jesus, Hell Nah and 100 Summers. Lead singer Ela captivated the entire stage, backlit by fluorescent lights and disco balls. Bass player Maddie Bouton provided some particularly electric dance moments on stage that I’m sure had a lot of the front row hot under the collar.
It was evident from the entire set how much this music meant to both RKS and the crowd watching. With lyrics about mental health, addiction, religion and sexuality, RKS speaks to a deeper part of us all. It’s raw, unfiltered, sometimes fun, other times deeply moving.
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