Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall kicked off her Australian tour with a memorable performance at Perth's Astor Theatre on Tuesday night, treating the audience to a mix of sing-along classics from her 2005 heyday and never-before-heard new material.
A Throwback Show to Remember
The 50-year-old artist delivered a nostalgic show by performing every track from her 2005 debut album Eye to the Telescope in order. The setlist included her massive hit Suddenly I See, the song that catapulted Tunstall to fame after being featured in The Devil Wears Prada.
Tunstall showcased flawless vocals across acoustic favourites like Heal Over and rockier numbers such as Miniature Disasters. The Perth crowd enthusiastically sang along to the noughties hits that, over two decades ago, earned Tunstall a Brit Award win and a Grammy nomination.
Charming Hiccups and Guest Appearances
Tunstall was endearing during a couple of show hiccups, including forgetting the lyrics to False Alarm and improvising comedic replacement lines. She apologised to the audience, joking, "I forgot the words, I haven't got it right, I'm sorry if it's your favourite song, I'm playing it like shi..."
She also invited guitarist Kathleen Halloran to perform a song from her debut album and serve as a backing vocalist. Halloran delighted in the opportunity, telling the crowd it was "wild."
Sequel to Suddenly I See
Tunstall revealed she had written a sequel to Suddenly I See in honour of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and shared her experience pitching it to music directors in Los Angeles. Although they "loved it," she said they ultimately passed, joking that the once "indie kid" character now has "properly nice clothes," making someone like Lady Gaga a better fit for the soundtrack.
Her sardonic humour peppered the evening. She remarked that a drizzly Margaret River reminded her of Scotland and shared a story about an Australian TV studio security guard who once told her he preferred the original of Suddenly I See after she performed it. In response, she smiled and decided not to correct him.
Exclusive New Material
To close the gig, Tunstall played the yet-to-be-released song Look at Me Now live for the first time ever, which echoed her biggest hit. "You guys are the first people to ever hear this live. I figure as you're the furthest away from everyone else on the planet you deserve to hear it first," she joked.
Refreshingly, Tunstall embraced the fact that Suddenly I See remains her most popular song, involving the audience in harmonies and performing the sequel despite it not being chosen for The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Career Highlights
Tunstall has sold over 5 million albums worldwide and has reduced her touring schedule since completely losing hearing in her left ear in 2018. She received the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection in May 2024 and recently composed music for the upcoming West End musical Clueless.
