Not content with helping out Tunstall at a minutes notice, Creosote and co are also supporting Squeeze, which means that they are back at this very venue in early December. De ja vu...
Once again (and this only seems to happen in Manchester) at half time you can not leave the building for a cigarette. This must be an infringement of human rights, as you can leave but will not be let back in. This leads to many smoky toilet cubicles, though the security try and keep on top of this. Answer? Sort out your venue procedures for those who still smoke; others manage it.
Anyway, away from a rant and onto the main reason why there is little room to stand and see the stage. KT Tunstall is promoting new album Drastic Fantastic, and while there are plenty of new tracks on the set list to sample, the old favourites from debut Eye To The Telescope get many people dancing (or swaying, depending on the tempo).
Now I haven't really bothered with Tunstall before, yes I have heard many a song of hers on the radio and the odd TV advertisement, but I do not own anything and this is my first live experience. I originally came for Willy Mason, as I kind of think others did too, but as he cancelled I decided to come along anyway, and see where all Tunstall's award nominations stemmed from.
Looking dazzling in a metallic shift dress, she is joined by quite a backing band and variety of instruments (guitar, trumpet, drum, backing singers, bass, cello, double bass), though we all know that its just her and Wee Bastard on Black Horse and The Cherry Tree. Starting the set on a slow note, its not until KT is joking with the crowd, and mentioning the large gap between her and her audience. "Its like youre on the other side of the world...! leading into Other side Of The World. Hold On and White Bird follow from the new album, and then my (new found) favourite Under The Weather, with its wave-like melody. Hopeless is a poppy sixties style track, not unlike The Lemonheads stuff from the early nineties.
Tunstall changes guitars like nobody I have seen before; alternating between an acoustic, and a falcon and a jet. Looking to have fun with the band and the crowd, she mentions that she would like to swear but her two aunties and other family members are present. We even get a fact of the tour day; One in ten people that have ever lived are alive today. Confusing for this late on a Friday night (and this far into drinking time) but interesting nonetheless.
I am surprised it has taken me this long to get into KT; she is a rocking lass and can control her instruments with ease. The sampling for BHATC using her famous AKAI E2 Headrush pedal is something else (I have seen others do it but she did it first in popular music circles and still produces a better tune with it) and her vocals are note perfect.
During the encore Tunstall invites every member of her band to say or play something in to the pedal, ensuring a good but humorous tune with low voices and crazy noises. Tunstall also shows us some of her flash dance moves, while she has a break from vocal duties.
Then (not unsurprisingly really) at the end of the show its time for her biggest hit, Suddenly I See, and the crowd are loving it. Many cameras and phones are in the air, recording the action for the YouTube generation (there are two couples standing in front of me, both the fellas are resting their cameras on their girlfriends heads. Girlfriend tripods, this years top Christmas present!).
I am converted; Tunstall is worth seeing live to appreciate her musical talent. The new songs are going to be as well received by radio listeners as they have been tonight live, and I will make sure that I catch her again when everyone present knows the lyrics to join in.
article by: Danielle Millea
photos by: Danielle Millea
published: 22/10/2007 20:41
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.