Rainbow Kitten Surprise, which plays The BayCare Sound in Clearwater, Florida on June 18, 2025. Credit: Photo c/o 2B Entertainment

There hasn’t been a Rainbow Kitten Surprise gig in Tampa Bay since a 97X Next Big Thing slot in 2018 in support of How To: Friend, Love, Freefall.

The North Carolina alt-rock group was supposed to headline a heavily sold-out gig at Jannus Live two years ago, but canceled its entire tour due to a band member having a medical emergency. Since then, bassist Charlie Holt left the fold, and a new album called Love Hate Music Box emerged to semi-favorable reviews.

Ahead of this long-awaited gig, rhythm guitarist Darrick “Bozzy” Keller told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about the best concert he ever saw. Read his full quote below.

The Avett Brothers when I was in high school. It was a very impactful show for me and was one of the first shows I bought tickets for on my own. At that time of my life, the Avett Brothers were my favorite band and really everything to me. They taught me how to play guitar and sing just from learning their songs. I saw them in Asheville, NC on Halloween. They were dressed up in “The Wizard of Oz” costumes and it was awesome. I think what I loved about their show was how there were no gimmicks or production that facilitate it: Just two brothers in a band playing great music. Letting the songs speak for themselves. Although it was years ago at this point, I think that one night has had a profound impact on me being a North Carolina boy trying to convey those raw emotions in a live context.—Darrick Bozzy Keller, Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Tickets to see Rainbow Kitten Surprise play The BayCare Sound in Clearwater on Wednesday, June 18 are still available and start at $46.