Featured image and gallery: Sub Khan

It’s no surprise that Rainbow Kitten Surprise have made a name for themselves in recent years, their genre-merging approach and deeply introspective lyrics piquing the curiosity of thousands. Formed in 2013, the band have long surpassed their humble roots of playing their dorm rooms in North Carolina. From establishing their niche style with early self-released tracks, alongside their breakthrough 2018 album, How To: Friend, Love, Freefall, the group have propelled themselves from dorm rooms to sold-out venues. 

Support comes from Cigarettes @ Sunset, who open the night with their self-proclaimed ‘possum rock’, a gritty blend of Appalachian culture with a modern alternative twist. Bathed in shifting rainbow lighting, they set an early tone for the night, while projecting their own off-kilter and daring attitude.

‘Theresa’ carries an especially poignant essence, with its vulnerable emotion conveyed through lyrics of heartbreak and rumination. That said, the room is not short on laughter as frontman Garrett Delinger jokingly recounts being called the wrong name in bed, bringing to light the amusing – and humbling – inspiration behind the song.

It’s that time now, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s entrance is far from subtle. From the outset, the band lean into spectacle: the stage opens under drifting rainbow smoke, at once setting a heightened, almost surreal atmosphere.

Frontwoman Ela Melo is hypnotic throughout, with her voice carrying a raw, slightly fractured, passionate edge. She moves seamlessly, twirling and kicking through early fan favourites like ‘Painkillers’ and ‘Cocaine Jesus’, each one met with near-feral recognition from a crowd who identify every song from the strike of the first note.

“I expected nothing less from you Manchester. You’re giving us everything, so we’ll give you everything,” Melo exclaims to the rapturous crowd.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s set ensure all tastes are accounted for, as the group perform fresh material from their 2025 album Bones while, of course, working their way through older, fan-favourites. Exhilaration amongst the crowd remains unwavering throughout every song, showcasing the group’s unmatched momentum.

Breaking away from the fast-paced and intense hits, the group shift to an acoustic set. The stage slowly drops into near darkness with the band’s silhouettes illuminated by a single white light above. Huddled and stripped back, this moment is one of intimacy. The chemistry between Melo and bassist Maddie Bouton is unmatched, with quick glances, timing cues, and an obvious comfort with one another that keeps the set steady, grounded, and magnetic.

As the somber acoustics come to a halt, ‘Run’ single-handedly ramps up the atmosphere into a palpable and heavier mood, amplified by pulsating lights and tenacious drumming. The encore concludes the set with top-hit ‘Freefall’ alongside ‘Tropics’, crafting a flawless culmination to the show with a lasting feeling of buzz and invigoration.

Overall, this feels like a step up for Rainbow Kitten Surprise, a new found sense of assurance since their previous Manchester show in 2023. As the venues grow bigger, so too do the band, yet without losing the chemistry, eccentricity and genuine introspection they have always brought to the stage,