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KT Tunstall
Northcote Theatre
24/5/2026
On the twentieth anniversary tour of Eye to the Telescope, KT Tunstall remains as powerful and playful as ever. From the start, she makes an endearing joke that captivates the largely loyal audience. Her upbeat attitude continues to shine throughout the set. Her joie de vivre is on full display when she states that she was “lucky to get famous for playing happy songs.” The positivity from her and her band pulsates through the audience. She has the presence of a woman truly allowed to do what she loves for a living with fans that she genuinely enjoys.
The mid-sized venue is befitting. KT comments that intimate, live music is irreplaceable regardless of how technology advances. As she cues lights to channel David Bowie and invites the crowd to sing along, it’s easy to be swept up in her belief that intimate crowds are the way forward.
Whether in conversation with the audience or in her lyrics, KT’s rocker edge and unique phrasing keep her from becoming too saccharine. Likewise, her genuine pep makes her nostalgic outfit fittingly iconic of the 2000s rather than overwrought. Her audience also embraces the retro vibe, holding up old cassettes, CDs, and other archaic merch with faded autographs as proof of long-term fandom.
Enduring fans certainly represent much of her audience. For such fanatics, the highlights of the experience are the details about the making of the album. Each story is short but insightful. Her brief reminiscences are remarkably conversational and intimate. Less die-hard fans may not be as enthused about the deep cuts and creation stories, but her hits are well known and humour is self-deprecating enough to please the general public, even if the vamping between songs is fittingly geared towards diehards.
The Germein Sisters are a fitting opener for KT. Their shared indie pop rock classification ensures a seamless listener experience. Their varied influences, however, shift them solidly into a complementary role rather than positioning them as a carbon copy of KT’s more straight-cut pop rock performance. While KT leans towards straightforward rock, the Germein Sisters skew more country/bluegrass. They cite their father, a New Orleans Jazz musician, as influencing their unique sound. The acoustic set-up in this tour further highlights the differences between them and KT. Beyond the music, the Germein Sisters complement KT in attitude. They engage well with the audience and thread the needle between too much talk and not enough audience engagement like seasoned pros rather than a typical opening act.
Anniversaries (and anniversary tours) inherently encourage a juxtaposition of eras. KT paints the early 2000s as a rosy time. The stories she mentions are largely supportive. The celebrity encounters she shares are light and friendly. Yet it is unfathomable that, as a young female performer twenty years ago, her encounters in the industry were universally positive. Regardless, KT chooses to pass on the encouragement she experienced. In particular, she highlights up-and-coming women in the industry. Unsurprisingly, the Germein Sisters are an all-female band. KT also leaves time in the encore for her guitarist to showcase a song from her new album. Without making a show of it, she gives time, space, and attention to women working to make it big as well.
Written By: Kate Himonas
