Jess Nelson There are some shows that feel ordinary, and then there are nights that remind you why you keep coming back to live music—the nights where everything aligns just right, and you’re exactly where you need to be. On September 8th, 2025, Rainbow Kitten Surprise took the stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO, with support from Medium Build. From the first notes, it was clear this night would be bigger than just a concert—a rare moment that felt expansive, intimate, and transformative all at once.
Before Medium Build even took the stage, fans were gifted something extraordinary: Rainbow Kitten Surprise played their brand-new album in full, from top to bottom. It felt like stepping into a secret, intimate listening party beneath the sandstone cliffs. Being there early—a habit I usually don’t indulge—allowed me to fully take it in, savor the first notes, and share the experience with fellow fans. Chatting with PCD contributor Fara Francis over a hot dog before the opener created this sense of quiet camaraderie, this feeling that we were all in on something special before the real night began. It’s rare to get a moment like that at a show, and it set the tone for everything that followed.
Medium Build
Medium Build opened the evening with a sound that is a little bit country, but not quite—a genre-bending mix of storytelling and striking vocals. Yet what made the set unforgettable wasn’t just the music; it was the personality, the humor, the humanity. Frontman Nick Carpenter had a way of delivering jokes and stories that made the set feel both personal and larger than life. At one point, he jokingly claimed they were Incubus, a nod to their live performance at Red Rocks that he obsessively watched as a kid, and now here he was performing on that same stage himself. There was also the surreal and delightful sight of him performing with headphones instead of in-ears—a choice that could have been technical or simply his own style—but it added a layer of charm and unpredictability that made the performance feel entirely his own. Medium Build’s balance of humor, rawness, and sheer vocal power made their set a perfect warm-up, setting the stage for what was to come.
Photos by Jess Nelson Media, LLC. All images © 2025 Copyright Jess Nelson Media, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise
When Rainbow Kitten Surprise finally took the stage, it felt like stepping into a moment I wasn’t expecting—but desperately needed. I hadn’t planned to cover this show, and yet, when everything shifted last-minute, I found myself with the opportunity to not only photograph them, but to reclaim something deeply personal. Rainbow Kitten Surprise was the first band I ever saw live with my ex, and if you’ve read this article, you’ll understand how heavy that memory can feel. Walking into Red Rocks that night carried a storm of anxiety: fear of running into the past, exhaustion from the day, and a quiet dread that made me hesitant to even leave my seat. For the first few minutes, I felt exposed and out of place. But then the music wrapped around me like a lifeline, pulling me out of my head and into the present.
Even without knowing every lyric, the night became less about singing along and more about simply being there. Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s songs, full of emotional storytelling, sadness, and the threads of mental health struggles woven into their music, mirrored exactly what I was carrying that day. There was a moment when a fan high up in the venue needed help, and other audience members began waving flashlights to get attention. Ela, Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s lead singer, stopped mid-song to ensure the fan was okay, saying, “See, we take care of our people.” It was such a simple gesture and even though it wasn’t directed at me specifically, it broke something open inside me. In that moment, I felt seen and cared for in a way I hadn’t realized I needed so desperately.
By the end of the night, the fear and anxiety I brought with me had been replaced with empowerment. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is no longer tied to memories of someone else; that night, that music, and that energy became mine. It wasn’t about nostalgia or loss—it was about reclaiming joy, presence, and a sense of power I hadn’t felt in a long time. Music isn’t just sound; sometimes it’s survival. And that night, Rainbow Kitten Surprise reminded me why we show up, why we take up space, and why we keep trusting that the next song—like the next moment—can be ours.
Photos by Jess Nelson Media, LLC. All images © 2025 Copyright Jess Nelson Media, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
If any information in this coverage is incorrect or needs to be fixed, please email PCD Editor at jessica@postconcertdepression.com. Thank you!
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