LIVE: KT TUNSTALL – Perth | Boorloo, 19 May 2026

LIVE: KT TUNSTALL – Perth | Boorloo, 19 May 2026
The Astor Theatre, Perth | Boorloo, Western Australia
Reviewed by Tia Pinnegar
Photography by Pete Gardner

KT Tunstall began her Australian tour celebrating 20 years of her debut album “Eye To The Telescope” last night in Perth at the lavish Astor Theatre, demonstrating a beautiful sense of vulnerability while flawlessly showcasing her talent all night.

First up was The Germain Sisters, who we unfortunately missed, but all reports were flattering.

Tunstall’s setlist comprised the complete album, chronologically as they appear on the album, even saying “we’re even wearing the same undies we did in 2005, let’s go Perth!”.

They opened with “Other Side Of The World” and “Another Place To Fall” then continued down the score (Although “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree” was saved for the encore, being deemed a bonus track). Each era of the album was accompanied by different coloured lights illuminating the stage, creating a unique feel for each of these elements of the performance.

Tunstall glazed Perth’s landscapes and cuisines in friendly banter with the audience, also dedicating “Under The Weather” to Margaret River. The show might as well have been deemed a part comedy act considering how often she had the audience in giggles with her personality.

After two songs Tunstall turned the spotlight to the band, introducing them: Jackie Barnes on drums, Kathleen Halloran on guitar and Joel Gottschalk (who looked exactly like Joe Mantegna from a distance) on bass guitar. The band balanced perfectly with Tunstall’s vocals, in terms of both volume and rhythm.

Tunstall has an effervescent personality, spitting out several motivational quotes to the audience “if something scares you, you should probably run towards it,” or “if you fuck up it’s original, it’s something that’s just yours, that you created so don’t be scared of it”. Throughout, she exuded a mature attitude, seemingly brought on by her 20 years touring experience, but sounding beautiful nevertheless.

During the fan favourite song “Suddenly I See” she flawlessly divided the audience half and had left and right singing different chants as backing vocals, the result was surprisingly well executed and an endearingly wholesome moment.

Reminiscing over the song’s inclusion in the original Devil Wears Prada film, she then introduced us to what she deemed to be the sequel of that song, “Look At Me Now”, though also claiming she’s “just too rock and roll for The Devil Wears Prada these days,” which I’m sure the entire audience would have agreed with.

Having “faked” the end of the show and abruptly leaving, Tunstall ran back out to the mic and yelled “as if that was the end!!”, the audience erupting in cheers and laughter – leading into a song from Aussie guitarist Halloran’s new album which they all played together.

Tunstall melded with her band flawlessly and filled the night with nostalgia and giggles as she ran through “Eye To The Telescope” and beyond. Even introducing new, unreleased songs in the encore, Tunstall kept the audience deeply invested and happy all night with her brilliant show.

 

 

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries