Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s performance at the Hollywood Palladium was an emotional healing experience, blending heartfelt storytelling with an electrifying full-scale production. The night was filled with powerful and vibrant performances from Madi Diaz and RKS as they supported their new albums.

The evening began with Madi Diaz, a singer-songwriter whose introspective style set the prelude for the night. Her album Weird Faith, released earlier this year on February 9th, explores deeply personal themes, and her intimate performance in such a large venue felt strikingly effective. Diaz’s set was a quieter, more reflective counterpoint to the high-energy performance that followed, yet the emotional weight of her storytelling mirrored that of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. The highlight of her appearance came later in the night when Ela Melo invited her back on stage to perform a song together, underscoring the camaraderie between the two acts.

When Rainbow Kitten Surprise took the stage, the energy in the Palladium shifted. Ela Melo emerged wearing a punk-inspired outfit—torn fishnet stockings, friendship bracelets on her wrists, heavy leather boots, and a dress that was edgy, and expressive. The audience erupted in cheers as the band launched into their set, drawing from their discography and featuring tracks from their most recent album, Love Hate Music Box. They’ve changed their setlist at each show so fans had no idea what was in store. Fortunately, RKS has a deep discography and we saw many hits, from “Cocaine Jesus” to “SVO” to “It’s Called: Freefall.”

The lighting design was a standout element of the show, transforming the mood to match each song. From warm, vivid hues that enveloped the crowd during upbeat tracks to cooler tones that heightened the intensity of more somber moments. At one point, a single spotlight hit Melo, isolating her in a beam of light that seemed to magnify her commanding presence and vulnerability. It was a poignant moment that captured the raw emotion of Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s music.

Songs like “Fever Pitch” had fans singing along passionately, some visibly moved to tears, particularly along the barricade where the connection between the band and the audience was most tangible. Melo’s vocal delivery was dynamic, her voice shifting effortlessly between hauntingly tender and powerfully soaring, supported by a band that knew how to feed off each other’s energy. It was fun watching band members play with each other on stage, the close relationship they have with each other and mutual respect is obvious.

The night was healing for many, a testament to the power of Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s music. Combining Madi Diaz’s intimate opening set with RKS’s powerful energy allowed for us to have our cake and eat it too. They struck the perfect balance of symmetry, style, and emotional release for a memorable night.

Order tickets for Rainbow Kitten Surprise HERE
Order tickets for Madi Diaz HERE