Rainbow Kitten Surprise invited audiences into what felt like their very own set rather than a stage on Sunday night. The six band members dotted the floor in a half moon pattern around lead singer Ela Melo, a placement which reminded me of an Ed Sullivan Show performance.
The Santa Barbara Bowl was just one stop along the way of their “bones North American Tour”: nine months, 53 shows, and two festivals ranging from coast to coast. Previously in 2023, the band abruptly called off their world tour due to a mental health emergency involving Melo. They went on their Love Hate Music Box tour in 2024-25, and now are back and stronger than ever.
They opened the show with “Our Song,” the energetic Melo dancing on the beat, with her platinum bombshell blonde hair glowing in the spotlight. “Hide” was second up, the vertical light bars lining the stage bouncing along like meters on a soundboard as drummer Jess Haney and guitarist Ethan Goodpaster set the tempo.
The effortless cool of bassist Maddie Bouton was on full display while Music Director Drew Long played the keys and guitar, lights kaleidoscoping across the stage and reaching out to the audience…