DEMIGODDESS

Scottish rocker delivers glimmering display in symphonic setting

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KT Tunstall

Birmingham Symphony Hall 28/2/23

Edinburgh's KT Tunstall was a ball of energy rocking out alongside Gorillaz bassist Seye Adelekan and Razorlight's Andy Burrows. They opened with I Am The Pilot, replete with infectious dance beats, before switching things up in a delicate performance of Other Side Of The World. "Who wants to hear a song about Stevie Nicks?" she queried rhetorically, before spinning out to the dizzying intro of Demigod, with its groove-laden chimes. Tunstall's vocals were full of detailed emotion on evocative solo sojourn, Scarlet Tulip, followed by a tour debut for Funnyman. "This city has produced some of the most rocking songs," she mused, "but we're not going to be able to do Black Sabbath justice. So, we're going back," and she plucked the opening chords of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love, her raspy voice fitting the bill perfectly. Other covers included Eurythmics' Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), part of a mash-up with rousing favourite, Black Horse And The Cherry Tree. With banter between songs, her warm personality shone on Synapse, Canyons and Suddenly I See, leaving the crowd uplifted, as the queen of sass'n'soul brought a stomping pop-rock show to a close. Emily MacNevin

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