KT Tunstall at Colston Hall
Posted on: 2016-10-24
Our rating:
Scottish songstress KT Tunstall swings through the South West with a stellar show at Bristol's Colston Hall.
‘I WANDERED lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils;….’
I thought it pretty apt that I start off with a wordsmith on this review as I thought it would be be fitting to describe this pint-sized, pocket-rocket of sunshine, that is the tremendous, KT Tunstall. Owing to the ridiculous traffic in Bristol I arrived at Colston Hall somewhat later than expected. Feeling flustered and overwhelmed and my mood wasn’t helped as the supporting act had already begun and I hadn’t managed to make it in time to see them. Furthermore they were fantastic! I thought this wasn’t going to be my night, but I had waited years to see KT and I wasn’t going to back down now.
My introduction to KT Tunstall was, as with all brilliant artists, by chance. Children of today will never know what it feels like but I really was just hanging around at the record store; browsing as you would and in the background I heard this voice that no matter how hard I tried to detract from it, it kept drawing me in. I soon forgot about it as I left the record store but on that same night on Jools Holland I heard the same voice and, to sound cliché, I was hooked.
Tonight was going to be my night and I was hoping to hear a host of songs and I knew she was promoting her new album, KIN, but as with every artist of the ‘Classic’ calibre you hold on to that nostalgic feeling of when you heard their first hit and what you were doing at the time and when the songs are played you are drawn into reliving those moments again… In she stepped all peppered like a butterfly in an oversized white T-shirt and very very bright silver trousers and her first words were ‘whats up Brizza!!?’. Somewhat confused the crowed didn’t respond which was understandable as the colloquial saying is Brizzle, but who cares its KT Tunstall!!
With dim-witted applause she was greeted on stage and without further ado whisked into her first song with so much robust energy that the awkward exchange was soon forgotten. A great balance between raw talent and belligerent enthusiasm she fired hit after hit which were at times mixed with 80’s hits such as The Bangles' 'Walk Like an Egyptian' or another timeless track in 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes. Such a variety was well received with patrons intermittently rising to their feet. As the gig wore on her mesmeric raspy rich tone of a voice enhanced my pick of the bunch which was ‘Nothing Changes’. Her definition of a joyful pop rocking record was certainly given testimony here. Her band was superb responding to every Rachel Solomon and Wesley responding expertly to every twist and turn she made to the gig, it felt as though there were tattooed elements of rock bands gone by and I was happy to be a witness to it.
A sinister yet hilarious episode of KT swallowing a chicken was the funniest bit of the evening but that never drew away from the exceptional daunting talent that this lady is. You would be as gutted as I was for many years to miss this tour, yet, although she has moved to California, she will still always be one of our own. KT we salute and I implore all lovers of something psychedelic, folk, country and pounding rock music not to miss this when it comes to your town.
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Born in Zimbabwe but a Bristolian at heart. My longest love affair has been with music and proud to say my first purchase was the album 'Push' by Bros I have always strived to be the cat amongst the pigeons and revitalise the music scene. My music tastes are so eclectic I often wonder what I would be if I wasn't surrounded by the essence of life. I enjoy dancing hence just a drum beat will get me going. I love my son. I love life and always impartial to a spot of cider... I mean who wouldn't? ..
