Words & Deeds

This band canceled sold-out shows twice at Boise’s major outdoor venue. 3rd try!

The late poet Richard Brautigan once wrote that “the last surprise is when you come gradually to realize that nothing surprises you anymore.”

Your move, Rainbow Kitten Surprise.

After canceling two sold-out shows at the Idaho Botanical Garden’s Outlaw Field — the day before the gig in July 2022, then the entire rest of the year in May 2023 — the alternative-rock band will give Boise’s primary outdoor concert venue a third shot.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise (aka RKS) has been scheduled to perform Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Outlaw Field. Spacey Jane is the planned special guest.

To be fair, Rainbow Kitten Surprise managed to show up late last year for an indoor gig at Boise State’s ExtraMile Arena. Still, you can’t blame any potential concertgoer for feeling a little gun shy when it comes to RKS and Outlaw Field.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise is back on the road in 2026.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise is back on the road in 2026. Handout

Then again, ticket refunds for cancellations are quick and automatic these days. Why not believe, RKS fans?

Those become available to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, for $59.50 general admission at Ticketmaster. A presale for Idaho Botanical Garden members starts at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, for $54.50.

Founded in 2013 in North Carolina, Rainbow Kitten Surprise has grown in popularity thanks to standout songs such as “Fever Pitch” and “It’s Called: Freefall.”

“As if channeling another dimension where genres simply don’t exist, Rainbow Kitten Surprise finds harmony in unpredictability,” according to the band’s bio, “weaving together lyrical poetry, hummable melodies, and a rush of instrumental eccentricities.”

Rainbow Kitten Surprise is the first show announced for the 2026 summer concert series at Outlaw Field.

This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 11:40 AM.

Michael Deeds
Idaho Statesman
Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane. 
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