Live Review: KT Tunstall in Australia – 20th Anniversary Tour 2026
20th Anniversary Australian Tour – 19 May 2026 at The Astor Theatre Perth Western Australia.
Review by Sheldon Ang
photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
For more than two decades, KT Tunstall has carved out a singular space in the singer‑songwriter 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.
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 – she told us, but that didn’t 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 – the seminal piece that introduced KT Tunstall to the world.
As expected, she opened with “Other Side of the World,” a gentle, shimmering start that immediately softened the room. It’s 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‑production, just her voice, her guitar, the band, and that unmistakable emotional clarity she’s always had. It was perhaps the second most recognisable song of her discography.
Supporting her onstage were standout musicians who elevated the night: Jackie 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 “Miniature Disasters” and “Under the Weather” a rhythmic lift without losing their acoustic charm. Halloran was fluid, expressive, and beautifully textured, weaving around KT’s playing with a kind of intuitive musical conversation. There were times when KT flirted with her musicians, oozing that rock personification.
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. “Under the Weather” – where she dedicated the song to Margaret River, and “Miniature Disasters” arrived with a looseness that felt fresh. KT’s ability to shift between vulnerability and rhythmic punch remains one of her greatest strengths, and the Perth crowd responded to every turn.
Her stage presence was witty, self‑aware, 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.
The night’s first major eruption came with “Suddenly I See,” – the most recognisable hit of the night. The opening riff triggered an instant wave of recognition, and Perth responded with full‑throated 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. “Typically, this song is played at the end.” But that didn’t matter.
KT shaped the night’s emotional arc with care. “Silent Sea” brought a moment of stillness, her voice floating over the room with a kind of fragile strength. “False Alarm” carried a rawness that felt almost confessional. And “Universe & U” shimmered with a dreamy, atmospheric quality that showcased her ability to create space within a song.
That was the end of the album setlist.
The encore shifted gears entirely, leaning into a more rock‑driven 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 “Wolves Like You.” Her voice led for four minutes, while KT, Jackie, and Joel shared a mic, letting Halloran own the spotlight while she added harmonies and rhythmic support. Halloran’s delivery was confident and soulful, with so much of sass. Her vocals and poise were teasing.
From there, the encore surged into full rock territory. “Little Favours” and “The River” arrived with a darker, more muscular edge, driven by Barnes’ punchy drumming and Halloran’s gritty guitar tones. “Saving My Face” hit with unexpected power, its themes of resilience and self‑preservation underscored by a bold, full‑band arrangement. “Push That Knot Away” brought a final burst of rhythmic fire, with KT and Halloran trading lines in a way that felt almost like a call‑and‑response duel. They jammed in a duet, ending with KT jumping from the platform of the drums.
KT Tunstall is simply enchanting.
We shall see you soon.
KT Tunstall is touring across Australia and New Zealand. Tickets are available from Destroy All Lines.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Maric Media, Destroy All Lines and KT Tunstall for the accreditation
Setlist 2026
Other Side of the World
Another Place to Fall
Under the Weather
Miniature Disasters
Silent Sea
Universe & U
False Alarm
Suddenly I See
Eye to the Telescope
Stoppin’ the Love
Heal Over
Through the Dark
Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
Encore
Wolves (sung by Kathleen Halloran) — KIN (2016)
Little Favours — Drastic Fantastic (2007)
The River — WAX (2018)
Look At Me Now — Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon (2013)
Saving My Face — Drastic Fantastic (2007)
Push That Knot Away — Tiger Suit (2010)
About the writer/photographer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (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’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist
