Last Friday, pure, radiant joy was realized in Grundy County, Tennessee when Rainbow Kitten Surprise hit The Caverns for an unforgettable night. Long recognized as one of the best venues in the United States, The Caverns is arguably one of the most unique places to catch a rock show — you hike down half a mile until you find yourself in a literal cave that’s been outfitted into a concert venue. You’re surrounded by stalagmites and natural rock formations as you hear your favorite music, and it only holds a capacity of 1200 people, making it one of the smallest stops on Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s tour.
The band has slowly risen into one of the premier mid-level live acts thanks to their relentless touring and infectious energy exhibited onstage; in the Caverns, the echoing of the fans was oftentimes louder than the band themselves, signaling that their fans are among the most dedicated in modern alternative music. Lead singer Ela Melo and bassist Charlie Holt are mesmerizing to watch on stage, with rhythmic dancing and a push-pull dynamic tension creating an ambiance within the band’s music that’s impossible to forget; seriously, it’s been a week, and I’m confident it might be the best show I’ve seen this year. The band has been relatively dormant for four years — we talked about this with drummer Jess Haney last year — and while the band focused on hits from Seven and How To: Friend, Love Freefall, some of the biggest responses came from the teases of new music, including the set-closer “Work Out” that emphatically closed the first set. The love between this band on stage and their fans is unreal, and seeing Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an incredible experience that you need to make your way to immediately. They’re touring for the rest of the year, and while most of the dates have sold out already, you can see the dates here and hope you make it to a show.
Birmingham, AL natives The Brook and the Bluff opened this date, and their brief performance signaled the arrival of a soon-to-be-very-famous band. As a longtime regional favorite of the south, their set pulled equally from their debut First Place and last year’s toned-down Yard Sale. The harmonies and instrumental arrangements illustrate a band with simply godlike talent, and it’s safe to say they won’t be a supporting act on national tours for too much longer.
