The energy outside the O2 Academy was absolutely infectious! You could feel the buzz in the air as fans queued up, everyone chatting away and getting hyped to see Rainbow Kitten Surprise. We were also in for a real treat with the openers, Cigarettes @ Sunset – a band that is making some serious waves on the music scene right now.
By the time the support act was ready to hit the stage, the venue was already packed and the atmosphere was just lovely. As soon as the lights went down, you knew we were in for something special.
I have to tell you, Cigarettes @ Sunset completely blew me away! You know how opening acts can sometimes feel like background noise while you wait for the headliner? Well, these guys were the exact opposite. From the moment they stepped out, they had the entire room leaning in. They played a fantastic mix of tracks – like “My Fix”, “Theresa”, and “Shoulder Blades” – and the vibe was spot on. It was that perfect blend of raw energy and real heart. One minute it felt like an intimate, rootsy jam, and the next, they’d crank up the volume with this awesome, scrappy energy that filled the whole room. They kept us on our toes the entire time, and by the end, even the people who didn’t know their music were totally won over. It’s the sign of a great band when you walk away wanting to hear more, and they definitely felt like a group that’s going places!
Once the stage was cleared and the crew finished their prep, the excitement for Rainbow Kitten Surprise was through the roof. When the intro music started and the lights dimmed, the crowd – a great mix of everyone – was more than ready to go.
I had a feeling this would be one of those gigs where the atmosphere does half the work before the first note is even played. RKS took all that anticipation and turned it into something intense, restless, and surprisingly intimate. Even in a crowded room, it never felt like they were “distant” from us. Touring their Bones material, they made the new songs feel right at home alongside the old favourites.
They didn’t waste any time, either! Songs like “Our Song”, “Hide”, and “Dang” hit with immediate energy, and we were all locked in right away. Later on, tracks like “Cocaine Jesus” and “Painkillers” brought a heavier emotional pull, reminding me just how good this band is at making vulnerability feel powerful. One of my favourite moments was the acoustic section – hearing “Texas Hold ’em” and “First Class” made the whole venue feel smaller and quieter in the best way possible. It was a really human moment.
What I loved most was how they handled contrast. They can move from a song that feels frayed and on edge to something warm and melodic without it ever feeling forced. In a venue like the O2, those shifts landed perfectly – the loud moments felt huge, and the quiet moments felt like a secret shared between the band and the audience.
By the time they reached the encore with “Tropics” and “It’s Called: Freefall”, it felt like more than just a concert; it was a total mood that held us all together from start to finish. I left feeling that this is truly what RKS does best: they take songs built on ache and uncertainty and turn them into a big, beautiful communal experience.
If you get the chance, you absolutely have to see them live. As great as they sound on vinyl, seeing them in person brings the songs to life in a way you just have to experience. They have this addictive edge that gets you hooked instantly – catch them now before they’re playing stadiums!
Review by Karen Edmond
Photographs by James Edmond Photography
