| KT Tunstall @ Highline Ballroom |
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| Written by Nicole Steinberg | |
| Saturday, 14 July 2007 | |
 This was my second time seeing KT Tunstall (my review of her Webster hall gig last year can be found here), this time in the fancy Highline Ballroom, a venue I've quickly come to like for its friendly staff and superb lighting. KT played a one-off show in preparation for the release of her new album, Drastic Fantastic. It was great to be in the second row, so close to her, and even though I think I pissed off a few people in the front with my photo-snapping, it was worth it to get some nice shots of the new, rock-heavy KT, complete with blond fringe and fabulous back-up singers. The good news is she's still the same foot-stomping, hand-clapping, multi-talented musician with the same amazing, versatile voice. No opener for this show, and though the venue's website said the show would begin at 8, KT and her band took the stage at 9 (on the dot, luckily). KT, as always, was eager to praise and show off her band members, especially Cat and Gita, her new back-up singers, once described by KT as "foxy chicks." They were pretty foxy, but they were inevitably overshadowed by the force of KT's vocals as she tore through the majority of Eye to the Telescope and four new songs from the upcoming album. You could tell that a lot of die-hard fans were there, especially when one eager lad screamed "Play 'Hopeless!'" as she walked back out for the encore. "How do you know that song?!" KT asked incredulously. "It hasn't even come out yet!" "I read it on the Internet!" the guy answered. KT raised her hands in awe and proclaimed, "We've got a clairvoyant Internet guy here!" Other new songs included "Saving My Face," a song about the perils and pitfalls of plastic surgery, and new single "Hold On," a twangy pop-rock number with a driving beat that KT said was inspired by the guys who drive around London with their car windows down, blasting house music. She gave us a bit of beatboxing to demonstrate, which was a nice touch. The best part about watching KT Tunstall perform is how much she obviously enjoys it. There's no posturing or bored looks on the faces of her musicians. It's refreshing to watch a band that actually has fun on the stage, switching up instruments, dancing with each other and rocking out. Their stunning musicianship really shines on songs like "Silent Sea," which hits home much more successfully live than it does on record, with gorgeous horns and shimmering drums. KT often shows off how playful she can be, whether it's through her lyrics or the sound effects she experiments with in crowd-pleaser "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," when she fits her fist against her mouth and toots an imaginary horn. Her cheerful banter is also much appreciated; my favorite moment this time was after "Other Side of the World," when she warned us to take heed of the song's anti-long distance relationship message, lest she be forced to write us another song: "I told you, I told you / You should have dumped him / 'Cause he's fuckin' miles away!" Even her outfit was playful: a studded blouse, awesomely strappy boots and a belt that spelled out "GLASGOW ROCKS." KT's a joyful singer-songwriter and this really shines during her performances, which I can definitely say are joyous experiences. Setlist: Little Favours / Another Place to Fall / Other Side of the World / Under the Weather / Universe & U / Black Horse and the Cherry Tree / Silent Sea / Ashes / False Alarm / Hold On / Miniature Disasters / Saving My Face // Hopeless / Stopping the Love / Suddenly I See Check out some photos below. You can view more at my KT Tunstall photoset on Flickr.
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