{"id":685589,"date":"2026-05-21T17:31:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T17:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/685589\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T17:31:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T17:31:24","slug":"live-review-kt-tunstall-in-australia-20th-anniversary-tour-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/685589\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Review: KT Tunstall in Australia – 20th Anniversary Tour 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

20th Anniversary Australian Tour \u2013 19 May 2026 at The Astor Theatre Perth Western Australia.<\/p>\n

Review by\u00a0Sheldon Ang<\/a><\/p>\n

photography by Sheldon Ang Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

For more than two decades, KT Tunstall has carved out a singular space in the singer\u2011songwriter world. A Scottish artist (now living in the USA) whose blend of folk, pop and rock has made her both instantly recognisable and endlessly adaptable on stage. <\/p>\n

The last time we saw KT was exactly at this time last year, when she was supporting Train. We also learn that KT is deaf in one ear \u2013 she told us, but that didn\u2019t affect her musicality whatsoever. This time, she returned to Perth to kick off her Australian tour, marking two decades since the release of Eye to the Telescope \u2013 the seminal piece that introduced KT Tunstall to the world. <\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

As expected, she opened with \u201cOther Side of the World,\u201d a gentle, shimmering start that immediately softened the room. It\u2019s a song that carries a certain nostalgia, and KT delivered it with a quiet sincerity that made the crowd settle into the moment. No theatrics, no over\u2011production, just her voice, her guitar, the band, and that unmistakable emotional clarity she\u2019s always had. It was perhaps the second most recognisable song of her discography.<\/p>\n

Supporting her onstage were standout musicians who elevated the night: Casey Barnes on drums, ARIA Award winner Kathleen Halloran on guitar and Joel Gottschalk on Bass. Barnes brought a warm, organic pulse to the set, never overpowering, always serving the song. His drumming added a subtle backbone to the early material, giving tracks like \u201cMiniature Disasters\u201d and \u201cUnder the Weather\u201d a rhythmic lift without losing their acoustic charm. Halloran was fluid, expressive, and beautifully textured, weaving around KT\u2019s playing with a kind of intuitive musical conversation. There were times when KT flirted with her musicians, oozing that rock personification.<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

From there, KT moved through a curated slice of her early catalogue, touching on the emotional textures of Eye to the Telescope without falling into predictable nostalgia. She spoke of her late physicist father and shared a touching memory from her childhood, recalling how her father used to take her to visit a telescope in St Andrews. \u201cUnder the Weather\u201d \u2013 where she dedicated the song to Margaret River, and \u201cMiniature Disasters\u201d arrived with a looseness that felt fresh. KT\u2019s ability to shift between vulnerability and rhythmic punch remains one of her greatest strengths, and the Perth crowd responded to every turn.<\/p>\n

Her stage presence was witty, self\u2011aware, and delightfully unfiltered. Between songs, she shared stories with the kind of comedic timing that made the room feel smaller, more intimate. We heard the encouragement of Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters. Whether she was laughing at herself, reflecting on the early days of her career, or riffing off audience reactions, she kept the energy buoyant and personal. <\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

The night\u2019s first major eruption came with \u201cSuddenly I See,\u201d \u2013 the most recognisable hit of the night. The opening riff triggered an instant wave of recognition, and Perth responded with full\u2011throated enthusiasm. KT leaned into the moment, letting the crowd take the chorus while she drove the rhythm with her trademark percussive guitar work. It was joyful, communal, and effortlessly electric. \u201cTypically, this song is played at the end.\u201d But that didn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n

KT shaped the night\u2019s emotional arc with care. \u201cSilent Sea\u201d brought a moment of stillness, her voice floating over the room with a kind of fragile strength. \u201cFalse Alarm\u201d carried a rawness that felt almost confessional. And \u201cUniverse & U\u201d shimmered with a dreamy, atmospheric quality that showcased her ability to create space within a song.<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

That was the end of the album setlist. <\/p>\n

The encore shifted gears entirely, leaning into a more rock\u2011driven sonic landscape. The end to end riffs came out if their shell. It opened with a standout moment: Kathleen Halloran stepping forward to take lead vocals on \u201cWolves Like You.\u201d Her voice led for four minutes, while KT, Casey, and Joel shared a mic, letting Halloran own the spotlight while she added harmonies and rhythmic support. Halloran\u2019s delivery was confident and soulful, with so much of sass. Her vocals and poise were teasing.<\/p>\n

From there, the encore surged into full rock territory. \u201cLittle Favours\u201d and \u201cThe River\u201d arrived with a darker, more muscular edge, driven by Barnes\u2019 punchy drumming and Halloran\u2019s gritty guitar tones. \u201cSaving My Face\u201d hit with unexpected power, its themes of resilience and self\u2011preservation underscored by a bold, full\u2011band arrangement. \u201cPush That Knot Away\u201d brought a final burst of rhythmic fire, with KT and Halloran trading lines in a way that felt almost like a call\u2011and\u2011response duel. They jammed in a duet, ending with KT jumping from the platform of the drums.<\/p>\n

KT Tunstall is simply enchanting. <\/p>\n

We shall see you soon. <\/p>\n

KT Tunstall is touring across Australia and New Zealand. Tickets are available from Destroy All Lines<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Maric Media<\/a>, Destroy All Lines<\/a> and KT Tunstall<\/a> for the accreditation <\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"Kathleen Halloran at KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

\"\"KT Tunstall in Perth. Photo: Sheldon Ang \/ Sheldon Ang Media<\/p>\n

Setlist 2026<\/p>\n

Other Side of the World<\/p>\n

Another Place to Fall<\/p>\n

Under the Weather<\/p>\n

Miniature Disasters<\/p>\n

Silent Sea<\/p>\n

Universe & U<\/p>\n

False Alarm<\/p>\n

Suddenly I See<\/p>\n

Eye to the Telescope<\/p>\n

Stoppin\u2019 the Love<\/p>\n

Heal Over<\/p>\n

Through the Dark<\/p>\n

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree<\/p>\n

Encore<\/p>\n

Wolves (sung by Kathleen Halloran) \u2014 KIN (2016)<\/p>\n

Little Favours \u2014 Drastic Fantastic (2007)<\/p>\n

The River \u2014 WAX (2018)<\/p>\n

Look At Me Now \u2014 Invisible Empire \/\/ Crescent Moon (2013)<\/p>\n

Saving My Face \u2014 Drastic Fantastic (2007)<\/p>\n

Push That Knot Away \u2014 Tiger Suit (2010)<\/p>\n

About the writer\/photographer:\u00a0The founder of Perth-based\u00a0Sheldon Ang Media<\/a>\u00a0(est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 250 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), AD\/DC, Metallica, KISS, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro (pictured) with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed the late Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 100 artists. He\u2019s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t