Caroline Kingsbury and MARIS's "Give Me A Tour" Transports Tampa to a Place of Pure Cosmic Joy
The sun is shining as I stroll along the cobblestones of Ybor City. The surrounding architecture and roosters strutting in the road give a glimpse into the history of this historic place. Tonight I find myself at Crowbar on the corner of N 17th Street and E 8th Ave, where fans line up, with tangible excitement, to see the immensely talented Caroline Kingsbury and MARIS share the stage.
These two exceptionally talented independent singer-songwriters have joined forces to venture across the states on their "Give Me A Tour" tour. Caroline Kingsbury, a native of Central Florida, now based in L.A., began professionally creating music when she was 18. Her debut album, Heaven's Just A Flight, hit the scene in April of 2021, followed by the EP, I Really Don't Care!, in October of 2024. It was the viral resurgence of Caroline's song "Kissing Someone Else" in 2024 (three years after its initial release) and "Take My Phone Away" that catapulted her into the spotlight and garnered her the recognition she deserved. Her music is a magnetic blend of new wave, 80's-inspired synth, and pop-rock elevated by raw, relatable lyrics that explore her relationships, love, grief, and queerness. This year she has graced the festival stages of Lollapalooza and All Things Go. Her new EP Shock Treatment, inspired by the film Rocky Horror Picture Show, just dropped on September 26th. The project poses the question: what if things were reversed, and we lived in a world where queerness was not only celebrated but also the social norm, and heterosexuality was marginalized? Caroline infuses her signature 80's-inspired sound into this new world while simultaneously creating a space for introspection.
The power of collaboration and synergy between Caroline and MARIS truly culminated when they released their hit song "Give Me A Sign" in March of 2025. This song was already written by MARIS but needed an epic voice to fully complete the project. It was during a writing session that MARIS extended an invitation to Caroline to feature on the track. The response was an immediate "Yes!", and since then the song has accumulated over 2 million streams on Spotify and continues to reach an ever-growing fan base.
MARIS, a gifted storyteller based in L.A., by way of Missoula, Montana, has been taking pen to paper since she was 16. Being given a guitar by her stepdad and finding mentorship with a jazz singer created the foundation for becoming the artist she is today. MARIS released her debut EP, Gravity, in June 2023, tied to a short film encompassing all her new tracks. She has released numerous successful singles while simultaneously writing for other artists. Her most recent writing credit is "Existential Crisis" for the artist WENDY. Her collaborative spirit also shines through in her work with Molly Grace and Meg Smith on their single "Girls Just Wanna Be Famous." She has a slew of songs up her sleeve, working towards a debut album. Her sound is an irresistible blend of pop and rock with 80's influences. She writes from a place of lived experience and raw emotion to try to understand the world, often grappling with feelings she hasn't yet fully defined. This year she stepped on to the Boston Calling Music Festival stage, leaving quite a mark on the crowd and an impact on the community by working with the nonprofit Boston Music Project.
As the clock hits 7 pm, the stage is enveloped in a hue of pink lights, illuminating the moon standing center stage. Kicking things off for the night is an awesome pool of local talent drawn directly from the crowd. The talented Joshua, Oh, Ash, Camrynn, Daniel, Rose, Emmi, and Erik performed an eclectic selection of karaoke hits, ranging from Doechii, Vanessa Carlton, and Tate McRae, to name a few. Their performances light up the stage with epic dance moves, rad vocals and awesome energy.
The lights dim as 8 pm rolls around, and an otherworldly voice permeates the room, guiding us to a far-off galaxy. We land at a star bar where a lesbian alien and a bisexual astronaut come together in the midst of a heartbreak to deliver a night of stellar sound. Decked out in a white space suit adorned with red stars, blue stripes, space patches, and signature star glimmering above her left eye, MARIS floats across the stage with a huge smile. Following close behind is Caroline Kingsbury in a neon pink and orange leotard, cinched with a teal belt and tights. Her electric yellow hair, accentuated by bright blue eyeshadow and lightning bolt earrings, adds to her otherworldly allure. They glide across the stage to thunderous cheers from the crowd. Drummer Julian "Tiger" Lewis takes to a white drum kit, and Andrew Lucas picks up his sunburst Fender electric guitar. MARIS grabs the mic, welcomes the crowd, and starts to sing the first lyrics of their hit song "Give Me A Sign." The room is electrified, and the crowd wastes no time joining in singing and dancing. Caroline steps to the mic; her voice resonates to all parts of the room as she sings. It is clear at this moment, by looking around the room, at the enormous smiles, the glitter and star-painted faces, the singing and dancing, and the radiating energy beaming off the stage, that this truly would be a special night.
They seamlessly transition through a blend of old and new hits, stripped-down ballads, and theatrical commentary. Caroline takes to the spotlight first, delivering incredible vocal prowess as she sings "Heaven is Just a Flight" and "Breaking Apart." Throughout the night she flows through her catalog of music, commanding the stage with each song she sings and even rocking out in the crowd. She performs "Shock Treatment," "Chocolate," "Take My Phone Away," and "Kissing Someone Else" with a beaming aura. The crowd is with her every step of the way as they sing and dance to every note. She jams out on a sweet pink glitter-infused electric guitar as she performs "16" and plays tambourine during "Our House." The energy is truly joyous as she brings two adoring fans onto the stage during "Alabama." Whether it's the tone and power of her voice, her stage presence, or her unique style, I can't help but catch subtle nuances and echoes of some of the 80s rock legends—David Bowie, Pat Benatar, Cyndi Lauper, Marie Fredriksson of Roxette, and Heart's Nancy and Ann Wilson.
MARIS hits the stage like a supernova; her smile is infectious and permeates the room. She wastes no time showcasing her powerful vocal talents with songs like "The Fight" and "Crashland." Her setlist masterfully intertwines old and newer material with songs like "Chameleon," "Saltwater Taffy," and "Was It a Dream." "Mary + I" and "IT'S HARD (to be a Man)" ignite further singing and dancing. Her connection with fans runs deep. She locks eyes and sings directly to them as she works all sides of the stage, making everyone feel truly seen. She playfully grabs fans' phones, recording the action from the stage. She shares a particularly touching moment with the audience. Unplugging her mic, strumming her Fender acoustic guitar, and singing "Goodbye Forever" in a glowing sea of lights.
Together, they perform a heartwarming acoustic cover of "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan. Between songs they graciously answer questions from the crowd, followed by a merch plug starring Tiger and Andrew strutting their stuff on stage. And, much like how the night began, they end with a momentous performance of "Give Me a Sign." To say Caroline Kingsbury and MARIS gave Tampa just a show would be quite the understatement. They managed to create a space where the chaos of the outside world seemed to pause for a moment, cultivated community and connection in a safe space, and filled a room up with absolute pure joy. And, for that, Tampa and I thank them for taking us along for the ride.
