KT TUNSTALL - CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2025 // BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW
KT TUNSTALL CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF HER DEBUT ALBUM
’EYE TO THE TELESCOPE’ WITH SPECIAL SOLD-OUT SHOW AT GLASGOW’S BARROWLANDS AS PART OF CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2025
★★★★★ (5/5)
KT TUNSTALL PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S BARROWLANDS
PHOTOCREDIT: PAUL STORR
Opening for KT Tunstall at Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom, Chris Leonard delivers a heartfelt, laid-back set that blends traditional Celtic sounds with humour and storytelling. Joined by Aidan Burke on fiddle, he mostly performs covers, weaving in tales of his Irish roots and musical journey.
Leonard shares how he used to travel from Ireland to Scotland with his dad for gigs, making it all the more surreal to now be playing the legendary Barrowland Ballroom himself. His stage presence is easygoing and self-aware—at one point, he admits he hadn’t introduced himself at the start, joking that he’d seen all the big rock stars do the same so thought he’d give it a try.
His storytelling between songs is as engaging as his music. Recalling the familiar experience of leaving a pub back home, always met with that one drunk guy at the bar—the kind that reeks of tobacco and stale whisky—telling him he’d never make it. With a grin, Leonard pointed out where he was now, proving that persistence pays off.
A highlight of the set was his cover of The Pogues’ "A Pair of Brown Eyes", which fits perfectly with the warm, folky atmosphere.
Closing with "Amaero", a new original inspired by the characters from his hometown in Dublin, including a man known as Bang Bang, who carried a golden key and would “shoot” people with it on the bus—only to be disappointed when nothing ever happened.
Leonard’s performance is an intimate and charming introduction to the night, setting the stage beautifully for KT Tunstall.
Celebrating 20 years of "Eye to the Telescope", KT Tunstall brings a powerhouse performance. Delivering the album in full with the backing of Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire - remarkably the band had only met three days prior, yet they seamlessly navigate the set like seasoned collaborators—a testament to their talent and Tunstall’s timeless songwriting.
From the opening notes of "Other Side of the World", the crowd is in full voice, prompting KT to joke that they may as well wrap up the gig right now. The energy never wavers, with audience participation and cheers continuing throughout the night. Before launching into "Empty seats improvisation", KT quips “This next song’s a nightmare—partly regret writing it"
The set is packed with both music and anecdotes. KT playfully acknowledges how "Suddenly I See" became bigger than her, thanks in part to The Devil Wears Prada, and reminisces about standing between Mary J. Blige and Justin Timberlake at a Grammy pre-party, thinking, “Does anyone know I’m from Fife?!”
Special guests add to the magic. Amy Papiransky joins for "Heal Over", while KT takes to the piano for a moving rendition of "Through the Dark" joking that it wasn’t one of those self-playing airport pianos—she was doing the work herself.
Before "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" KT shares the story of playing it on Later… with Jools Holland before there was even a recorded version. The first 10,000 copies of the album included the live audio, leading her to joke that if you own one, you should sell it on eBay and buy a regular copy. Chris Leonard is back on stage to join for the song, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
With "Eye to the Telescope" complete, Tunstall takes the audience on a journey through the rest of her discography, but not before a surprise appearance from Eddi Reader. The Barrowland crowd—already at peak energy—somehow finds another level of excitement as she joins for Fairground Attraction’s hit "Perfect".
Among the highlights from the post-Telescope set is "I Am the Pilot" from latest album "Nut" which closes the main set in dramatic fashion.
In the encore, Justin Currie of Del Amitri joins for "Nothing Ever Happens", before Tunstall and her band wrap things up with "Saving My Face" and a euphoric cover of Simple Minds’ "Don’t You (Forget About Me)"—with all the night’s guest vocalists returning to the stage for a triumphant finale.
Playing for just under two and a half hours, KT Tunstall delivers an unforgettable performance, packed with nostalgia, humour, and brilliant musicianship. If you get the chance to catch her live, don’t miss it!
