KT Tunstall / Jesca Hoop

Scottish songbird KT Tunstall announced a date a few months back at the Minack Theatre in Penzance, as soon as the tickets went on sale I knew we had to go.

We packed up our bags and headed on a road trip down south, we were in for a five hour journey with spats of torrential rain thrown in, oh joy.

Leaving at 12.30 and getting to the hotel at 18.00 hours isn't bad, especially on a Friday afternoon.

We didn't know what to expect from tonight's gig, especially as we'd been praying all day for it to be dry. After the worst pub meal ever, soaked in cooking oil, oh what a joy, we headed to the venue.

Sorry to say I get car sick, so the windy lanes of Cornwall don't agree with me, turning ashen white and wanting to throw up is least what I want when going to see one of my favourite artists.

The venue is one of the most stunning I've ever visited, with the sea and cliffs as a back drop, it would make any artist or audience member froth at the mouth. We got to our seats just as the support act came on, Jesca Hoop was humorous and very talented, with just a guitar for company, the set was short and sweet and highlighted her talent as an accomplished vocalist and guitarist.

We were sitting in a prime location and could see very clearly. The stone seats were a tad cold to say the least, big mistake not buying cushions lol.



21.00 hours saw the arrival of Ms Tunstall in a leopard print trouser suit, with a black vest and black boots. Tonight was about showcasing the new album 'Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon', which is due out in June.

We were quite excited to hear the new material, but after learning about KT's latest heartbreak's, with her father passing away and her recent break-up with husband Luke Bullen, we wondered what would be in store for us.

The new album is in two parts KT explained and it was recorded in the US with Howard Gleb's help. Two of the songs are about 'death' so I'll leave it up to you to listen to it to see what you think.

We were treated to 90 mins of old and new material, the older material seemed to go down a storm. New material which included 'Chime', new single 'Feel it All' which is a definite grower, the lush 'Made of Glass' and both title tracks 'Crescent Moon' and 'Invisible Empire' all went down well but I guess everyone is always apprehensive about hearing new material.

Apart from the new single and 'Made of Glass' I found it hard to get in to the new stuff, It will grow on me once I get the new album, obviously this was the first time I'd heard most of the new stuff. It sounded like a 'Thinkers' album to me, get the smoking jacket out and relax in your favourite armchair, sort of album.

The old stuff was amazing, pure unadulterated class, KT Tunstall, her guitar and her little magic box, 'Black Horse and a Cherry Tree' was astounding, KT even had a gang of backing singers, who were sat behind us with little signs saying "Whooo" on them so when she sang said song, they kept holding them up, much to Tunstall's delight.



We were treated to some classy older number's including an outstanding stompier version of 'Other Side Of The World' which was intertwined with a White Stripes classic number; and the coolest and eeriest number was the 'Whale Shanty', such a fitting song for an astounding venue.

If this is what's to come on the up and coming tour, which has just been announced for November this year, I'd better get my tickets now, it certainly whetted my appetite for more.

The evening was astounding, venue was out of this world and Tunstall sang her heart out. I wouldn't have missed it for the world, I prefer Tunstall's earlier stuff for now, but once I get the album in my sweaty paws I'll probably like that just as much.

FUTURE GIGS