I’d normally start a review with a grand statement encapsulating the artist’s performance in essence, but I’m simply going to start with an apology: KT Tunstall, I’m so, so sorry that I ever doubted you.

As a long term fan (we’ve all got a copy of Eye To The Telescope jammed in one of those IKEA CD towers), I was worried when I walked through the doors of the iconic Shepherd’s Bush Empire that what I was about to see would be the winding down of years of talent into insignificance – so much so I declined the chance to pre-order a CD copy of the live performance – but she’s back on top form, both in songwriting and person. Awesome.

She opens the show with ‘If Only’ with massive amounts of energy, before chatting some (a refreshing change from all those who prefer to be silent and mysterious *sigh*) and introducing her second song with a witty recount of Dave Grohl’s compliment: “First song, second album: ROCKS!” – she looks chuffed and we’re all happy for her too. A few songs in, after handing her guitar to the runner, she admits “I feel weird without my guitar, so I’ve been watching Adele videos on YouTube for hand gesture help”. I want to let her know she needs no such assistance: her stage presence is the perfect balance of entertainer, natterer, and musician’s musician, strumming her various guiars towards her band as much as to her audience.

Despite weaving through timeless classics from Eye To The Telescope, navigating the next 10 years’ lesser known material and visiting her latest album, KIN several times throughout the evening, everything feels coherent and it’s obvious we’re dealing with a master. Sing alongs are plenty; ‘Other Side Of The World’ gets a more current arrangement with a pulsing synth which should upset the Tunstall purist in me, but instead feels a natural progression of the song none of the audience can help but sing along to; ‘Hold On’ is mashed up with The Bangles’ ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ to my delight, and yet again we’re singing along to both with such relish that it’s clear KT’s songs are destined for pop classic fame just as much as the tunes she idolises.

Ending the night with encore ‘Suddenly I See’ seems inevitable, but there’s not a trace of disappointment across the audience’s collective faces, and we get ready to sing along even before she invites us to “sing it like footballers!” – all in all, a class act, surprisingly relevant, and a reminder that fine wines only get better with age.

Words: Dominic Kirkbride
@SaulMusicUK

Images: Anthony Yates
@ayatesphoto