KT Tunstall doesn’t hang around. Following the release of her debut album earlier this year, her rise through the ranks has been swift and startling. Tonight the Olympia is packed full of loyal screaming fans. Through every break in the set they call her a legend. “You can’t say that!” replies Tunstall. “You can’t call me a lesbian!”
Although Tunstall is here displaying either razor sharp wit or chronically poor hearing, there's nonetheless a degree of truth to her retort. Tunstall’s not yet a legend, but tonight delivers plenty of indications that she may yet have that status bestowed upon her. Her sexual preferences lie with the male of the species, though tonight they are at a premium amongst a predominantly female audience. This is the sort of crowd you might expect to find at a Dido gig.
Such is Tunstall’s popularity, the ‘in-crowd’ are also absent. Deemed un-cool by sections of the music media, she also has been discarded as too pop and too mainstream by the more snobbish element of the listening public.
It’s a pity because there are moments tonight when she cuts through the gloss to display a spectacular raw talent. Her distinct fiery rasp wraps around ‘Black Horse And The Cherry Tree’ to give it an all consuming power. Stripped of any un-necessary accompaniment, all that is needed is Tunstall and her guitar. It's a knockout moment but, remarkably, it's not even the highlight. That’s reserved for the second encore when Tunstall strolls on stage alone to play new song ‘Throw Me A Rope’. If ‘Black Horse’ caught her at her most volatile, ‘Throw Me A Rope’ draws out a delicate and touching performance to echo Jewel and Sinead O’Connor at their best.
Throughout, there were numerous memorable moments. Tunstall poured everything into her performance, even managing to bring the best out of the lesser tracks on the album. If there was a criticism to be made, it would have to be levelled at her backing band, who gave no more than a workman-like performance on the night. Similar to the production on her debut, they failed to match Tunstall’s raw edge, electing to polish in places best left untouched.
Nonetheless, there is no hiding talent. Tunstall was on fire tonight. If she continues to develop at this pace, she may attain legendary status far more quickly than anyone could have anticipated.