From Possum Rock to Proposals: Rainbow Kitten Surprise Deliver a Night to Remember in Glasgow

Jun 3
3 min read

Review by LiveWithLP | Photo by Lynsey Wyllie

Rainbow Kitten Suprise and Cigarettes @ Sunset play Glasgow's O2 Academy

When the likes of Rainbow Kitten Surprise announce a one-night-only Scottish headline show, paired with support from Appalachian ‘possum rock’ favourites Cigarettes @ Sunset, it's no surprise that the queue outside Glasgow's O2 Academy was wrapped around the block long before doors opened.

Female violinist performs onstage under red lighting, focused expression, wearing a floral top and blue pants, with smoky concert backdrop — **Sarah Vann plays the violin for Cigarettes @ Sunset** Photo Credit: Lynsey Wyllie

First up on the bill were Cigarettes @ Sunset - a band that's been on my radar for a long, long time. The fact that my first time catching them was in an opening slot feels crazy, and after the reaction they got from the Glasgow crowd, I don't think it'll be the last time they play to a packed room over here.

Opening a show thousands of miles from home can't be easy, but they absolutely smashed it. From the moment they stepped on stage, they had the crowd in the palm of their hand. Between songs, they shared stories behind the music, joked with the audience and, most importantly, introduced Glasgow to the world of ‘possum rock’.

Tracks like Theresa and My Fix went down an absolute storm, with more and more people filtering into the venue and quickly becoming fans.

Smiling bassist on a dark stage wearing a Narragansett Lager Beer shirt, holding a bass guitar. — **Wells Whitman takes stage in Glasgow.** Photo Credit: Lynsey Wyllie

It wasn’t long before the Academy lit up with phone torches swaying across the room, giving the band a glimpse of just how many people had turned up early specifically to catch their set. Garrett rounded things off in style, jumping into the crowd and somehow convincing half the room to get down on their knees before erupting into one final singalong.

Hand on heart, that was one of the best support sets I've seen in a very long time. The North Carolina five-piece have something special, and if this is what they're doing now, 2026 is going to be a massive year for them. Here's hoping they're back across the pond sooner rather than later.

Singer-guitarist in cap and glasses performs at a microphone on a blue-lit stage with another musician in the background — **Lead singer** **Garrett Dellinger brought the energy to the opening set.** Photo Credit: Lynsey Wyllie

Then came Rainbow Kitten Surprise.

From the second they walked on stage, the Academy was packed wall-to-wall with fans ready to sing every word. If you've ever seen Rainbow Kitten Surprise live before, you'll know exactly what they're about. Energy, emotion and an undeniable connection with the crowd.

Two women perform onstage under purple lights, one playing a bass guitar, with drums blurred in the background. — **Maddie Bouton seamlessly brought the vibes to Glasgow.** Photo Credit: Lynsey Wyllie

From opening with Our Song to closing with It's Called: Freefall, they delivered a set that felt raw, heartfelt and completely immersive from start to finish.

The opening run of Dang, Matchbox and Drop Stop Roll got the room moving instantly before Fever Pitch, and Espionage took things to another level. Every lyric was being shouted back towards the stage, creating one of those atmospheres that reminds you why Glasgow has the reputation it does.

One of the standout moments of the night came midway through the set when a fan got engaged in the crowd. The moment felt incredibly wholesome, and showcased what Rainbow Kitten Surprise are all about: a band whose music has always been about life, love, heartbreak and finding your people.

Singer in a light blue dress belts into a microphone on a blue-lit stage, with a drummer behind her in the background. — **Ela Melo's vocals shone in Glasgow.** Photo Credit: Lynsey Wyllie

The middle portion of the set showcased exactly why the band have built such a loyal following. Goodnight Chicago, Murder, Cocaine Jesus and Painkillers all landed with huge emotional weight. The reaction to Cocaine Jesus was particularly special, with the entire venue seemingly singing every word louder than the band themselves.

A stripped-back acoustic section featuring Texas Hold 'Em, Bare Bones and First Class was a brilliant addition to the set, showing some of the audience's favourite songs in a completely different format, allowing the songwriting to take centre stage before the energy ramped back up once again.

The final stretch of Hell Nah, When It Lands, Run, 100 Summers, and That's My Shit before an encore; it was the kind of concert you felt heartbroken it was over- stellar performance from start to finish.

Singer in white dress performs on purple-lit stage with guitar, drums and keyboards behind them, mood intense and dramatic — **Rainbow Kitten Surprise in Glasgow.** Photo Credit: Lynsey Wyllie

Rainbow Kitten Surprise have built a reputation as one of the most captivating live bands around, and their Glasgow show proved exactly why. Between a flawless setlist, emotional highs, an unforgettable crowd engagement and a support slot that stole plenty of hearts, this was one of those gigs that everyone lucky enough to be there will be talking about for a long time.