Kent but sent to the island for my sins [laughs]
So I’m not sure you might know that I’ve got family in Perth
He had a dollar store in Fremantle and they moved up and they did well and settled
Sean: What a beautiful part of the country to live
Sean: Well I hope you get time to pop down there for the day or at least meet them halfway
When you come that far and then don’t get time to see the family
Sean: Well I see there are a couple of days between the first and second shows so hopefully that can be arranged
I was looking back and it is really ten years since you were last here in Australia
it’s just one of those things where you’re just trying to find a way that works to get back because it’s so far and it costs money and you’ve got to make sure people are going to come and see the shows and then covid happened
that kind of put all touring plans back and so it was a real pleasure when Train extended this lovely invitation to join them and made it possible for me to come back
You get to tick off almost every corner of the country
opening the tour here in Perth on the 18th May
and at the most beautiful setting at Redhill Auditorium
the anniversary is coming around for 20 years of that incredible debut album ‘Eye to the Telescope’
KT: I’ll definitely give you a little overview of the career so far
but it’s really difficult not to play a good handful of songs off that first record
especially for Australians who’ve been waiting to hear
Sean: ‘Eye to the Telescope’ was such a career founding album for you
When you came out of the studio after you’d finished that album
was there a feeling that this is something really special
KT: I mean it was but it’s hard isn’t it because there was nothing to compare it to because it was my first record
I’d just done my best to try and get the vibe right with it
I think that was what was so kind of alien about making a record
I’ve been playing guitar for 15 years and writing songs before I got my deal
I was 29 when I got my record deal and I’d sort of been recording songs on a four track in cottages
But when it came to actually making the record
it was really such a steep learning curve of how to get your vibe like on a record and I think one of the things that really helped that was that we had a tiny budget so we made the record in a little house in the woods with duvets taped up on the wall to make it sound better and and I think that really helped it
where it just kept things really simple and that was why it worked
Sean: Does that then put real pressure on you for a follow-up album
You’ve got everything stripped back to basics and then the label maybe start adding pressure to influence and direct you a bit more
It was really tough because that first record
that people are interested in what you’re doing but that first record was just so phenomenally successful that there was a lot of people who were invested in the second record doing well and they all had their ideas about how to achieve that and I didn’t agree with most of them and so it was very painful
the process of getting the second record together and in all honesty it didn’t come out the way that I would have liked and I think
while I’m very proud of it of all my albums
my second album is probably the one that I would like to re-record and do exactly how I would want it to sound
Sean: There’s been an incredible collection of albums so far but one I’d love to talk to you about is ‘Face to Face’
Sean: How do you even begin to work on a collaboration with someone like Suzi Quatro
on the cover of ‘Drastic Fantastic’ I’m holding this massive guitar and it was actually meant to be a Gibson Firebird with a cool kind of rhombus shape but the person who made the prop
it’s not a real one because it’s covered in mirror ball bits
they traced the outline of a guitar so it was much bigger than a real guitar and ended up looking like a bass and I was just like “oh that’s cool
I look like Suzi Quatro” and so I always sort of thought about her as being a bit of inspiration for that cover
especially being genuinely the first chick with an instrument on stage ever in a rock situation
And then we met after this massive Elvis show that was in Hyde Park in London
And we met after the show and she just said
you’re one of the few people that I would hand the rock baton to because you’re doing what I used to do or what I still do
But she said I reminded her of when she started out
And so we kind of made a pact that we would at some point try and work together
And then one of the positive things of COVID was that we were both at home
it meant that we had time because the gigs hadn’t quite come back online yet
And so I was able to just go down and see her and get to know her
very kind of seamless creative flow from us having conversations to writing songs
And I think we were both surprised by what we came up with
It was something different from either of us
It was a new place creatively that we found by doing something together
Sean: I’ve been lucky enough to chat to Suzi a couple of times and I remember her saying she was stuck down there in Essex and her husband was stranded at their other place in Germany
So they were stuck apart for months and months
Sean: She’s got a massive affection and affiliation with Australia
She’s already been here this year and is coming back later on in 2025 too
She’s always so excited when she’s coming back over
Sean: So do you get many offers of collaborations that people would be amazed by
you sort of think of us all fraternising with each other
but we actually don’t see each other very much because we’re on it we’re on our own little tour in our own little hermetically sealed tour worlds
I was just getting Clueless: The Musical up on stage in London but had a bunch of other gigs while I was doing during that process
which was fantastic and which is two modes of transport in one sentence [laughs] which is very confusing
And then went up and did some gigs in Scotland but I left home on 2nd January and I just got home on 1st April
That’s a very long trip for me but but it’s normal to be out for nine months of the year
by touring because we’re not making a living selling records anymore so the collaboration aspect is actually quite tricky
there’s tons of people that we would all love to collaborate with
but it’s really difficult to find time where the two of you can actually get together
it would be something like coming on this tour with Train
where you’re actually hanging out in the same place over a period of time
and you can sit backstage with a guitar and play with each other
there’s tons of people I would love to collaborate with so hopefully it’ll happen one day
is that when you find time to write or is it just too much going on to be creative
KT: There’s a band called Phoenix from France
I don’t know if you’re familiar with them but there was a very funny line in an interview with them where they said you can always smell a tour bus in a song which I think means that they’re not as good and and I don’t find tour particularly conducive to writing
I think one of the really important things for me is solitude when I’m writing and so when you’re on tour you’re just constantly surrounded by people and noise and you’re constantly needed here
So I don’t find tour that helpful when it comes to song writing
And what I found as I’ve got older as well
I used to kind of be writing stuff all the time and I don’t write as much anymore
And so what I do now is I sort of make an excuse that I need to go on a writing trip and I go somewhere cool
I might go up to Taos New Mexico or I might you know grab an Airbnb
which is great as you just find a really cool place to go that you’ve not been before
paper and a pen and a laptop and just get on with it and get writing and so yeah
I think that’s where I’m at now is that I actually have to kind of seclude myself to do to do writing
are you working on anything new at the moment
And it’s a weird time because it’s the 20th anniversary of my first record
And so it feels like I’m sort of tying up the first half of my career and we’re going to be re-releasing the first record with some new old material
So it’s a few songs that were written at that time
And a couple of which I kind of need to finish
it will have taken 20 years for these songs to get written
But also because I’ve been doing the music on Clueless The Musical
I’ve been working on that for five years and it’s a 20-song show and five songs that we rewrote
a couple got replaced so it’s been taking up a huge amount of my creative juices just to get that show up on stage and because it’s also my first musical I was having to kind of learn the ropes at the same time so I think now that that’s just finished and that’s now on stage I feel like I might get a little bit of space back to think about what to do next
there isn’t too much time to sit still after Australia because you’ve got something that is a little bit special on Monday 23rd J at the Royal Albert Hall
Incredible place to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first album
I only ever when to one show there back in 1988
It’s double brilliant for me because it’s also my 50th birthday
Timmy’s in the Kitchen with my mates or the Albert Hall
It’s like a birthday party for the album as well
So play the album start to finish and then have a bit of a birthday party afterwards with 5,000 people
I’d love to just finish with a couple of general questions
who would you have sat with you for the evening
gypsy jazz musician from the 40s and and you know lost two fingers on one hand in a fire and is still the best gypsy jazz guitarist that ever lived so I’d have Bowie
I’d have Django Reinhardt and who else would we have… one more… God
who would I… I want to say Nina Simone but she’d probably just end up shouting at everybody [laughs] I think we’ll have Joni Mitchell
But I think he’s one of these artists where you don’t need to
I’ve heard such amazing stories about him and the way that he interacted with people and about his artistry
That was an interesting story that Suzi told me because she was a huge Elvis fan and Elvis like called her one day because she’d done a cover of one of his songs and he invited her to Graceland and she said
he was sort of struggling a little bit and not quite who he had been and I think she was a bit nervous about being disappointed by him or whatever
but I thought that was cool that she knew not to pop the bubble of the dream of someone
Sean: What was the last album you listened to KT
KT: Oh I’m obsessed with this album by a band called Junip and it’s about 10 years old but it’s Jose Gonzalez who I love
He’s a fantastic artist but he’s kind of collaborating with this band Junip and it’s an album called ‘Fields’
I think I’ve been listening to it for like 6 months straight
Sean: Final question and I’ve saved the easiest for last
if you could be credited with writing any song ever written
We can’t wait to see you come out and bring your music to this wonderful tour around the country
We’ll get all the dates up and hopefully we’ll get along to the Red Hill Auditorium ourselves to see the show
IAN MOSS Live at Anita’s Out Today | One Guitar One Night Only Tour Kicks Off Next Week
Norwegian collective, Wardruna, will be touring Australia and New Zealand for the first time this month, with their latest album, Birna, being released on January 24, while they are here in Australia. With major contributions to […]
Last year Midnite City came up with one of the albums of the year with their stunning debut and now they’ve gone and done the unthinkable and bettered it! We caught up with our old […]
KT Tunstall, the Grammy-nominated, Brit Award-winning artist, will bring her electrifying live show to the Genesis Scottish Open on Saturday
Tunstall has captivated audiences worldwide with hits like Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Suddenly I See
she has spent two decades evolving her sound
while remaining one of the most compelling live performers of her generation
Her headline set marks a major milestone for the tournament
as a performer of her stature takes centre stage at the event for the first time
adding an exciting new dimension to Scotland’s national open
the collaboration between The Genesis Scottish Open and Fringe by the Sea returns for its second year
with the Fringe by the Tee pop-up stage at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian once again enhancing the fan experience at the global sporting event
which blends world-class golf and entertainment
Set to be the highlight of the Fan Zone at Scotland’s national open from 9-13 July
Fringe by the Tee creates a family-friendly atmosphere
complementing the tournament with live music and cultural programming
KT Tunstall’s headline slot is just the beginning - from Wednesday
there’s a packed lineup of exciting entertainment still to be revealed
this year’s Fringe by the Tee promises non-stop fun for fans of all ages
This partnership unites two award-winning events
with The Genesis Scottish Open and Fringe by the Sea earning Outstanding Sporting Event and Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival accolades at the 2023 Scottish Thistle Awards.\nThe 2025 Genesis Scottish Open – co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR – will see some of the world’s best golfers join Scottish star and defending champion Robert MacIntyre
Genesis Scottish Open Championship Director
said: “We’re thrilled to showcase an artist of KT’s calibre at The Genesis Scottish Open this summer
the tournament will be further elevated with acts like KT Tunstall on the Fringe by the Tee stage
offering fans of all ages an unforgettable experience
It’s a pleasure to partner with another award-winning local event to highlight the best North Berwick
said: “the booking of Scottish legend KT Tunstall for Fringe By The Tee takes our partnership with The Genesis Scottish Open to the next level and gives both golf and music fans an awesome day out to relish
We’ve got more exciting announcements to make in the coming months
Whether you're here for the world-class golf or incredible entertainment
East Lothian is the place to be this summer – there's something for everyone.”
A range of ticket options for the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open
Ticket+ and Green on 18 premium hospitality packages
are available to purchase at etg.golf/GSO25Tickets
For more information visit: www.fringebythesea.com/fringebythetee
This first challenge? Re-creating the ultimate it girl. The Queen Bee of Beverly Hills
the muse for Charli XCX and Donatella Versace alike
the girl who told a generation it was actually quite chic to be a virgin who couldn’t drive – what is it about Cher Horowitz
And how do you usher in the second coming of Christ in yellow plaid
who’s been working throughout the musical alongside Amy Heckerling (the Clueless director who’s penning the West End script)
‘You're basically casting a kind of rich brat,’ she laughs
‘That was the genius of Alicia Silverstone: she's just immediately
despite her obvious cluelessness and her flaws.’
A world-exclusive look at the opening song from Clueless The Musical
Clueless The Musical features a book by the film's original writer
The ultimate It Girl: Alicia Silverstone starred as Cher Horowitz in the 1995 movie
‘A big thing in this musical is intention,’ Tunstall expounds. ‘She really wants to help people, and it’s totally to the detriment of actually helping herself. She's looking after her dad. She's looking after this New Girl that comes to school. She's trying to get everybody hooked up with a boyfriend or a girlfriend.’ And like any literary hero worth their Calvin Klein stair walk (she’s modelled on Jane Austen’s Emma, after all), Cher is hiding some way harsh childhood demons.
Joanna Eatwell tells Tatler how she crafted the complex world of Wolf Hall, from deadly doublets to Tudor fetish gear
A high C in debate? Casting Cher Horowitz has been quite the challenge, says KT Tunstall
‘Her mum is dead!’ Tunstall reminds me, firmly, as though reiterating that Hamlet the Dane’s antic disposition was just grief for his dad. ‘She’s desperately trying to control her world, and I think that that's just a massively relatable situation to anybody when you have a big trauma.’ And lest we forget: Cher is held up at gun point, and at one point almost sexually assaulted by the man she is trying to set up with her friend.
Mikey Madison was crowned Best Actress at the Oscars last night in a triumphant end to a Cinderella story breakthrough for the star, who led Sean Baker's Anora to a historic four Academy Awards, including best picture – back in November, Tatler heralded the reign of Hollywood's new Crown Princess
Clueless was written and directed by Amy Heckerling, who has returned to write the script for the musical this February
Star? Tick. Next up, the songs. The thing about turning a film into a musical is, well, the music. Clueless comes with its own iconic soundtrack, one that, like its heroine, is surprisingly complex. Radiohead, Counting Crows, Coolio. How did Tunstall go about re-writing songs for a movie that uses ‘Rollin’ with the Homies’ as a major emotional beat? Alongside the Grammy-winning lyricist Glenn Slater, she’s created the ultimate homage to the 90s.
Take lawyerly Josh, for example (played by the ageless Paul Rudd in the original film). He sings a song, hilariously titled ‘Reasonable Doubt’, that Tunstall says worships at the altar of ‘It’s Going To Be Me’ by *NSYNC. Another tune is based on Natalie Imbruglia. There’s an identikit Hanson song, a tribute to Green Day, and a song that borrows from Vanessa Carlton’s ‘A Thousand Miles’.
Renée Zellweger is back, diary in hand, to take on her signature role for one last time – so what details do we have?
the team chose the unexpected: ‘Cher is the most popular
but we didn't really wanna just do some kind of bubble gum pop opening.’ No
Tunstall took musical inspiration not from Mariah or Madonna
‘Crash’ by the Primitives might not be the first ditty that comes to mind when you think of Clueless
‘Perfect’ has one of Tunstall’s favourite beats in the entire musical
Clueless has permeated the lexicon of modern culture
but it’s a slightly more esoteric idiom that won KT’s heart
Cher points to a statue of her late mother
that's just such a great word,’ Tunstall laughs
Calling people “Bettys” when they're really hot.’
Totally buggin': Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz
KT Tunstall has a knack for defining an era
While she’s spent some time reflecting on the 90s for Clueless The Musical
she’s also celebrating the 20th anniversary of her own debut album
(With a concert at the Royal Albert Hall on her 50th birthday in June
how else?) That means it’s been two decades since the release of ‘Suddenly I See’
to saying ‘this is what I want to be’ and going out and getting it
Does she know the twittosphere is calling it the best movie montage of all time
But there’s a very real thread linking The Devil Wears Prada
‘It’s about kicking yourself up the arse and getting out into the world – going and getting it
I guess that's the energy of the Tunstall mission.’
So who better to score the newest take on the 90s classic than a woman who has lived its very message. KT Tunstall understands that Clueless is both chic lit and hagiography; part rom com, part Greek tragedy. It’s unabashed fun
This feature was first published in November 2024 and remains unedited
TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need
Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com
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KT Tunstall lost her hearing in one ear overnight(Image: BANG Showbiz)KT Tunstall has revealed that she is "97% deaf" in one ear.
The 'Suddenly I See' singer experienced a sudden loss of hearing, which she attributes to an overstimulation of her nervous system after attending a Spice Girls concert immediately following a long-haul flight.
Speaking to OK! magazine, she explained: "About 15 years ago, I took a long-haul flight and went straight to a Spice Girls concert. I'm not blaming the Spice Girls, but I think it overloaded my nervous system.
"I woke up with ringing in my ear, like I'd gone underwater. I couldn't hear the car indicator or a shower in another room.
"Then in 2018, I went deaf in my left ear overnight. It's called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL).
"They don't know why it happens. It was a huge shock. I'm 97% deaf in that ear now and can't use a hearing aid because it's too far gone."
However, the loss of hearing wasn't the only challenge KT faced.
She also suffered from severe balance issues, which she described as "really disabling".
This prompted her to take a step back and prioritise her health.
She added: "But the worst part wasn't the deafness, it was the vertigo. I lost my balance completely, for two or three months. That was really disabling.
"Thankfully it passed, and I can still write, record, perform – just in mono. I started seeing it as a message from the universe telling me to slow down, look after myself. I still tour, but I'm more careful now."
KT, the songwriter behind the new stage musical adaptation of 'Clueless', is set to celebrate her 50th birthday this year. She's not shy about her age, instead, she's "loud and proud" about it, hoping to inspire other women.
She shared: "I'm turning 50 this year, and it's the 20th anniversary of 'Eye To The Telescope'. It feels like the end of a chapter and the start of a new one.
"I'm loud and proud about my age. There aren't loads of women in their fifties in UK music, which is why I print 'KT Tunstall 1975' on my merch.
"I want younger women to know how old I am and feel empowered. I feel like I'm shutting the door on the first half of my career. Now, I've got this new avenue in musical theatre."
Pioneer of technology for more than 67 years welcomes new figure amid “difficult set of circumstances for health and social care in the UK”
Historic HealthTech Tunstall Healthcare has appointed Mark Hindle as its new managing director for the UK and Ireland
has pioneered the use of technology to help people to live more independently and with an improved quality of life for over 67 years
housing and social care providers in 18 countries to give peace of mind to more than five million people worldwide via software
who was appointed interim UK&I MD in June 2024
having served as Tunstall’s deputy group CFO since November 2022
Mark held key leadership roles for a range of health and care providers including Aura Healthcare
DHSC invests £114m into IT budgets amid NHS restructure
“It is a difficult set of circumstances for health and social care in the UK at the moment,” he said
“We have an ageing population that is living with more complex conditions
“In both health and care there is a workforce crisis that has perpetuated for a number of years
There is also a desire for populations to remain independent: living in their communities with their loved ones around them
to solve these challenges for our customers
We are eager to work with our customers on that innovation journey so that the situation for end-users doesn’t just stay the same as it is now
“I’m honoured to build on the years of innovation that Tunstall has been able to bring to the market
it’s an exciting time to fuse my experience of healthcare with the incredible pedigree of Tunstall Healthcare
Peters said: “Our aim is to bridge the gap between health and care across the UK and Ireland markets
and to enable those with complex care needs to increase their independence
“We’re delighted to welcome Mark as UK and Ireland Managing Director as he brings a great perspective from his already impressive career
“Mark’s experience and proven track record as a leader across the healthcare landscape will prove invaluable for our customers and help to accomplish our mission
“Our technology-enabled care is the key to achieving prevention at scale which supports the NHS’ move toward preventive care as outlined in the NHS 10-Year Plan
We predominately serve the vulnerable who are at risk of needing emergency support – but our sensors
software and call centres all play a vital role in identifying and supporting earlier interventions for people in the long term.”
MedTech giant raises funding to target severe medical threat
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Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value"
access and independent living professionals
Tunstall Healthcare has released a report that explores how technology can prevent and minimise unnecessary access to healthcare systems while enabling individuals to remain at home
thus reducing reliance on costly health and social care services
Tunstall Healthcare states that an ageing population
and chronic underfunding are exerting unprecedented pressure on health and social care systems
The NHS 10-year Health Plan will focus on three pivotal shifts: care from hospitals to the community
transitioning from analogue to digital systems
Embracing technology to support NHS 10-year Health Plan should include offering solutions that empower individuals to live independently
Delivering the outcomes requires innovative and integrated funding models
While strong research evidence demonstrates the impact of technology
the paper draws on the research and further insight to illustrate the accessible benefits for health and care systems but also considers further enabling factors of funding and eligibility
The ‘Advancing Technology Enabled Care – Who cares and who pays?’ paper draws on international insight to identify barriers to adoption
policy and other approaches which can translate the potential into reality
The paper concludes with actionable recommendations on how technology can support and enhance the objectives of the NHS 10-year Health Plan
It highlights how technology can enable individuals to remain independent at home for longer
reducing their reliance on healthcare systems
it emphasises facilitating the transition of care from hospitals to communities
and adopting proactive rather than reactive healthcare delivery
These advancements offer significant benefits for individuals
Chief Executive Officer of the Tunstall Group
said: “The way we deliver health and social care in the UK is at a tipping point
We’re facing a perfect storm—an ageing population
“But this isn’t just a challenge; it’s an opportunity
The confluence of technology and people to produce meaningful outcomes.”
Tunstall recently launched Communicall Digital
a new fully digital warden call system that will enhance independence for users and assist retirement living staff
Access to a range of accounts to suit your savings needs
Provided by award-winning mortgage broker Tembo
insight and guidance into helping your money work as hard – and stretch as far – as possible
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The singer on living with hearing problems and how she'll be taking audiences back to the 90s with a new musical
The Scottish singer-songwriter and musician KT Tunstall has released eight studio albums
performed at Glastonbury and is best known for her 2006 global hit Suddenly I See
She's written the soundtrack for the new musical Clueless
which has its West End debut in February 2025
She spoke to Saga Magazine about her life and the new musical
It’s a few years now since I got tinnitus and went deaf in one ear
I’d been on a long-haul flight and then I went straight to see my friend Mel C play a Spice Girls concert
I don’t think it was because of the gig
but I ended up with tinnitus and lost some top-end hearing.
Then I was on tour in 2018 and lost the hearing in my left ear completely
I’m deaf but have ringing in my ear… I know
I think if it had happened ten years earlier it would have been really devastating
but it’s a mental decision of how you want to handle it
that was the song going round in my head the whole time
I was adopted along with my older brother. Mum always joked
though the truth is you’re always going to have a bit of an abandonment issue
It’s an amazing thing to do if you are a secure enough adult to provide an amazing life for a kid
My birthday is in June and it’s going to be such a knees-up
I’m 50 at the same time as my first album
When I lived in north London, I had birthday parties at the pub and, as my present, all my musician friends would jump up and do a ‘guilty pleasure’ cover and I thought, ‘Why don’t we do that but at the Royal Albert Hall?’ And it came true
On my actual 50th birthday we’re going to play the album from start to finish
followed by my birthday party with the audience there
I can’t say I remember the first time I saw the film Clueless – it’s like it was always there
When it came to writing the soundtrack for the new musical
"I want to achieve a kind of imaginary amazing 90s playlist that would be on a C90 cassette tape"
So every time you hear a number in the show
It’s about nostalgia for the 90s – it will automatically remind you of what you were wearing and how you felt back then
The Musical opens at London’s Trafalgar Theatre on 15 February.
Saga has teamed up with London Theatre Direct to offer you tickets at the best prices
Buy tickets
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Tunstall-Behrens began the influential musical seminar for young musicians with Sándor Végh in 1972
Read more news stories here
Co-founder of the International Musicians Seminar (IMS) Prussia Cove
He was at home in his cottage in Trelowarren
Tatiana said: ’He returned to Prussia Cove often in his dreams in his last days
climbed the rigging and sang shanties; music was a constant companion. Hilary drew great comfort from the fact that IMS continues to thrive
and felt immense gratitude for all those who work with such commitment to keep it moving forward.’
Tunstall-Behrens is best known for founding IMS in Prussia Cove
it has hosted masterclasses for young musicians
with tutors including the likes of Steven Isserlis
Thomas Adès (who was also an IMS student himself) and many more
Isserlis became its artistic director in 1996
has become on of the world’s leading courses for up and coming string players
pianists and chamber musicians under the age of 30
to perform in a music festival at the Truro Cathedral in 1971
During his stay, Végh visited Cornwall
admiring the coastal region’s natural beauty and remoteness
as well as Tunstall-Behrens’s family-owned
coastal estate named Porth-en-Alls. Végh decided it was an ideal place for musical seminars to take place
and so with the agreement that Tunstall-Behrens took care of the organisation
Tatiana Tunstall-Behrens ended her statement with: ’Up to a few days ago he was still enjoying his malt whisky
so please raise a glass to Hilary wherever you are in the world
his dedication to the musical idealism that IMS embodies
and his profound love of the IMS family he founded with his teacher Sándor Végh fifty two years ago.’
The funeral will take place in Cornwall in a month’s time
All will be welcome and further details will be confirmed in the coming weeks
Read: Music by the sea: Postcard from Cornwall
Watch: Cellist Steven Isserlis on using vibrato to improve phrasing
In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers
It’s packed full of exercises for students
plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing
The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written
Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists
chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s
The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025
This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures
including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana
In addition to his performance and recording career
McInnes taught extensively at institutions and festivals across the US and abroad
The highly respected and versatile American worked with many musicians
from Louis Armstrong and Elliott Carter to Sinatra and Stravinsky
Mariam Abouzahra scooped first prize of €14,000 at the competition
which has not held a violin edition since 1988
The violinist has been appointed artistic director of Clarion Concerts
which provides chamber music concerts and experiences in New York’s Hudson Valley
The Astatine Trio and Novo Quartet join the scheme from 2025–2027
Ten ensembles will compete for the chance to win the top prize package
at this year’s competition from 25 to 31 August
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EXCLUSIVE The Scottish singer-songwriter is going for a hat-trick with 2025 also marking the 20th anniversary of her debut album Eye To The Telescope
Showbiz
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KT Tunstall has a lot of big milestones to celebrate this year
She has just written the music along with lyricist Glenn Slater to Clueless
the musical based on the cult 1995 film of the same name which put a 90s LA spin on Jane Austen’s Emma and starred Alicia Silverstone as high school student-turned-matchmaker Cher Horowitz
It marks her first official forray into musicals and recently opened at the Trafalgar Theatre in London’s West End
This year also sees her celebrate her 50th birthday which she is fully embracing
and it’s the 20th anniversary of her debut album Eye To The Telescope which includes the track Suddenly I See which catapulted her to fame when it was featured in the the 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada
She describes her song’s inclusion in the film
which starred Meryl Streep and Ann Hathaway
It would seem like kismet therefore that the musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada is also currently on in the capital
“I’m basically now just living in modern classic movies” she laughs to The Standard
“When I was asked to come aboard [for Clueless] it was obviously a complete no-brainer
I was so excited to be asked because it’s a modern classic movie and I really think it’s the mothership of that genre of movie
One of the big differences is that not only is it based on Jane Austen’s Emma
so it’s got this amazing soul and literary foundation
Cher is so loveable and she’s just really doing her best to try and make everyone else happy and then just forgets to do that for herself
So it’s very joyful and very sweet this story
“I always found musicals to be a bit cheesy when I was growing up to be honest and I thought what I want to do is go back to all of those absolute 90s bangers and really try and authentically recreate the feel and the sound of those 90s songs
I said to the team can we please make the soundtrack be the mixtape that is stuck in Cher’s jeep stereo.”
On Saturday March 8 there will be a special gala performance of Clueless in aid of International Women’s Day with proceeds going to The Girls’ Network
The charity aims to inspire and empower girls aged 14-19 from the least advantaged communities by connecting them to a mentor and a network of professional role model who are women
Speaking about the upcoming gala performance, Tunstall said: “I cannot wait it’s so exciting it’s such a great idea and I think this story of Clueless is so beautiful
Cher’s trying to navigate her way through life as a teenager
really trying to help everyone around her including her dad because she’s lost her mum and you know she’s really parenting herself
Her mum is kind of mentoring her from heaven
“The Girls’ Network is such a beautiful organisation
really helping young women and girls with some mentoring
really getting them their confidence on their feet and getting out into the world.”
she’s set to achieve a major bucketlist tick by headlining a show at London’s Royal Albert Hall which will see her play her Eye To The Telescope album in its entirety
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my merch has had 1975 on it since I’ve started
very like adamant that I should represent my age because there are so few women in my age bracket when I came out
There were some other female artists but they were all 10 years younger than me like Lily Allen or Kate Nash
I was definitely a slightly older generation because I didn’t get my deal until I was 29
I’ve always been really proud to represent my age group
weird cosmic alignment because it’s the 20th anniversary of the record
the 30th anniversary of Clueless and the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen which is what Clueless is based on Emma
It’s like when all the planets are in-line
Asked if there are any other personal goals she would like to achieve this year
“I want to get really good at pottery,” she explains
“Definitely high on the list is finding a ceramic teacher that’s what’s happening in the second half of life I reckon
there might be some KT mugs on the merch stand.”
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Award-winning singer songwriter KT Tunstall has told PA News that the new musical adaptation of much-loved teen movie comedy Clueless is “perfect timing” given the resurgence of love for 1990s pop culture
The Scottish singer-songwriter who is famous for her song Suddenly I See, has written an original new score for Clueless A New Musical
which is premiering in the West End at the Trafalgar Theatre from 15 February 2024
Tunstall has written the show with Tony-nominated writer Glenn Slater
who also penned the lyrics to Sister Act The Musical
KT Tunstall said: “I think it’s just a really beautiful alignment of the stars because it’s the 30th anniversary of the film next year so it was always going to be a big moment for the movie
I think that that’s happened to coincide with this resurgence of love for the 90s – Oasis getting back together – it’s just really auspicious and perfect timing.”
Tunstall wanted to join the show as she “absolutely loves” the Clueless movie
She has also witnessed the strength of feeling fans can feel for a movie soundtrack, given that her hit Suddenly I See gained a whole new audience by being featured in The Devil Wears Prada movie
Tunstall said: “When it comes to putting a musical on stage
it’s basically trying to write new material that puts people back in that playlist
we’ve looked at those songs and we got a playlist that we share between us
These are the songs that we want to make people think about and pay homage to
just try and write a list of absolute bangers that are new songs that evoke the nostalgia of those original soundtrack numbers and obviously write them for singers for a musical theatre piece.”
Tunstall went on to say that: “I think it’s going to be a really fun musical because of what I’m bringing to it as well
I just want it to also make you feel like you’re going to a concert where all of your favourite artists from the 90s are playing.”
The creative team want the audience to feel like they are being transported straight into Cher’s Beverly Hills life
“This isn’t a musical where we’re rehashing it for 2024
Director and writer Amy Heckerling said that she is “so delighted” to announce the new musical
“So if you loved the movie but didn’t understand why no one was singing
And if you’re meeting the characters for the first time
Clueless A New Musical is playing at the Trafalgar Theatre in London from 15 February 2024
Book tickets to Clueless A New Musical at the Trafalgar Theatre in London
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The 'Suddenly I See' singer opened up to James O'Brien about her health battle(Image: Getty Images)Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall has opened up about a harrowing health struggle that she's yet to recover from
James expressed how "scary" it must have been when she discovered she had "lost her hearing", a condition from which she has never recovered
KT revealed that there were times when she couldn't hear the shower running
but her hearing troubles would only worsen
these initial issues marked the beginning of her hearing "cracking up completely"
She shared: "And I was struggling a little bit with people speaking on that side and I had tinnitus at that point
KT said she sometimes couldn't hear the shower when it was on(Image: Getty Images)Article continues below"But obviously
it was the beginning of it cracking up completely
took my ear plug out and no difference at all
KT was compelled to cancel her 2021 touring plans with 80s duo Hall and Oates due to fears that her right ear might also be affected
she described her decision not to tour as "extremely difficult," asserting that she has to "put my hearing health first."
KT further commented: "It could be the difference between being able to be a musician or not."
According to the NHS
while hearing loss is often seen in older adults
it's crucial to consult your doctor if you notice any issues
Hearing impairment isn't always obvious at first
but certain red flags should prompt concern
is characterised by the perception of sounds like ringing
You can learn more about hearing loss via the NHS website here. For tinnitus, it's here.
Telecare provider Tunstall Healthcare has launched Communicall Digital
a new fully digital warden call system that will enhance independence for users
Communicall Digital is suitable for use in retirement and supported living environments
including sheltered housing and extra care schemes
The new warden call system enables residents to manage door entry
with the simple to use touchscreen room unit
the resident can raise an alarm by activating the room unit’s physical
the solution offers dedicated handsets to manage calls and view live resident status from across the care setting
The cloud-based Central Management Platform
captures data to generate bespoke or predefined reports and provides care staff with a comprehensive audit trail on the key events in the resident’s care journey
In line with the UK’s digital transition due to be completed by January 2027
Communicall Digital operates entirely on digital connectivity using industry-standard BS8521-2 (NOW-IP) protocol
removing any reliance on outdated analogue networks or protocol bridging/conversion devices
commented: “Our customers told us they needed safety
we have created a digital-focused product that answers these needs
the custom device offers reassurance and accessibility as it is designed to be as easy to use as possible
while offering them everything they might need – emergency call
an associated pendant so they can answer the call from the comfort of their bed or chair
features like the ability to download an audit trail showing resident activity
and to access the management platform from any location
are designed to ensure high-quality care and free up time for human connection.”
Last year, Tunstall Healthcare and the University of Edinburgh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at an event in Edinburgh City Chambers
KT Tunstall is brimming with energy as she prepares for a special hometown gig in St Andrews
“It’s such an exciting time – there’s so much to celebrate,” she enthuses
The Suddenly I See singer is on her way to perform at Crieff’s Strathearn Arts on Friday – and on Saturday she’ll head to her hometown of St Andrews to play at the Byre Theatre
Both gigs form part of James Yorkston’s Tae Sup Wi’ A Fifer tour
and feature KT and Johnny Lynch’s Pictish Trail
says the Byre gig will be particularly poignant
so it’s a real treat coming back to St Andrews,” she says
“The Byre is going to be really emotional
It’s the first place I was ever on stage – when I was eight
“I was in a little theatre group for kids called Stage One
“They were great at teaching us how to project in the theatre
“I have a very vivid memory of going on stage for the first time there
and me enjoying myself is making other people enjoy themselves’
“That’s the core of what I do and always have done since then.”
Will KT have a chance to hang out in St Andrews this weekend
“I’ll definitely try and get a walk around town
I’m sure it’ll be quite different from when I was last there.”
She says she’s “really disappointed” to miss the 50th anniversary of Lawhead Primary School
“I’d have gone to see the kids if it was a week day
I’ve got such good memories of the school
particularly of the music and art departments.”
Her gig in St Andrews will also be a chance to catch up with friends and family
“Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote
“And my first kiss at school was with the ‘new boy’
is now an amazing makeup artist in St Andrews
“I remember meeting her as a baby – and now she’s my new bestie
She’s doing my makeup for some filming.”
“And my mum’s coming up to see the show with some old neighbours which is nice.”
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The musical begins performances at London’s Trafalgar Theatre on 15 February
To celebrate the launch of the musical, a limited-edition physical release of KT Tunstall’s Clueless Mixtape will be exclusively available at the Trafalgar Theatre. This project marks a significant milestone in Tunstall’s growing relationship with BMG, not only as an Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter but also as a recording artist
KT Tunstall said: “Collaborating on Clueless has been an incredible journey. Creating an original score that captures the spirit of this iconic story has been a thrilling challenge. I’m excited to share KT Tunstall’s Clueless Mixtape with everyone
and I hope it brings as much joy to listeners as I had in making it.”
Amy Heckerling said: “I have been a rabid fan of KT Tunstall since I saw her video for "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on MTV
I couldn't be more excited about the release of the EP that she recorded of the wonderful songs for Clueless
KT has written a soundtrack that is infectious and fun - the ultimate 90's mixtape."
BMG President - Repertoire & Marketing UK, APAC & Europe, Alistair Norbury said: “KT Tunstall is one of the UK’s most accomplished and respected songwriters
and we are proud to support her as both a publishing client and recording artist
Her involvement in Clueless is a fantastic opportunity to showcase her versatility and talent to a new audience while reinforcing BMG’s commitment to artist-driven projects.”
Cher Horowitz is the most popular student at Beverly Hills High
renowned for her unique talent at finding love for others
She's about to embark on her biggest project yet – making over her awkward new friend
and setting her up with the most handsome boy in school
KT Tunstall’s Clueless Mixtape is available digitally via BMG from 14 February: KT Tunstall's Clueless Mixtape
The Musical has extended its West End run to meet ticket demand
The Musical will now continue performances at London’s Trafalgar Theatre until 28 March 2026
Watch a video of KT Tunstall performing 'Perfect' from Clueless the Musical
The multi-platinum singer-songwriter (writer and performer of hits like “Suddenly I See” and “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree”) wrote the music for the new musical
we had the chance to chat with Emma about taking on the iconic role of Cher
We discussed her journey with Clueless the Musical
what she thinks has made the original film so popular and even how her own name is connected to the role
Clueless is a new musical comedy based on the Paramount Pictures classic film
The modern spin on Jane Austen’s Emma gets another timeless makeover from the original film’s writer-director alongside a majorly acclaimed creative team
and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows
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KT TUNSTALL is to head back to Shetland for a performance next year
The multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter will perform at Mareel on 5 February as part of James Yorkston’s Tae Sup Wi’ A Fifer event
She will be joined on February’s bill by comedian Maeve Higgins and musician Pictish Trail
Before that though Yorkston’s Tae Sup Wi’ A Fifer touring event will visit Mareel this coming Thursday
Tickets for both events are available now
Meanwhile local musician Amy Laurerson will bring her quartet show to Mareel in October
The award-winning pianist will perform at the Lerwick venue on Saturday 5 October
She will be joined by Charlie Stewart (double bass)
Calum Convoy (bodhran) and Miguel Girão (guitar)
Laurenson previously won the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2023 prize
Support the gig will come from The Eyland Project (Renzo Spiteri
David Boyter and Sophie Wishart) – a multi-cultural musical outfit that blends Scottish folk music with Mediterranean
North African and Middle Eastern rhythmic patterns
Tickets for that gig are also available now
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“I feel great about it,” she tells me
“I’ve had more fun in my 40s than I’ve ever had
You just give so much less of a s*** about stuff that doesn’t matter.”
It’s a huge year for the St Andrews-raised singer
It’s the 20th anniversary of her album Eye to the Telescope
she’s made her first foray into musical theatre with an adaptation of teen movie comedy Clueless
and she’s the poster girl for our new Courier campaign
KT will celebrate the big 5-0 by headlining a massive gig at the Royal Albert Hall in London
Pretty much every waking moment is accounted for
How on earth does the Suddenly I See singer have the energy
“I’ve come to realise that not drinking is a bit of a superpower,” she reveals
“I stopped for six years after my dad died (her adoptive father David passed away in August 2012)
“I’ve had problems with my kidneys since I was a kid and was having E.coli infections
I don’t go on absolute benders any more.”
For a woman approaching 50 – who hasn’t had any “work” done – KT looks fantastic
But it’s not beauty sleep that’s her secret
“I’m rubbish at sleep,” she exclaims
“I’ll pass out if I’ve got some days off
who’ve felt the pressure to have Botox and cosmetic surgery
She laughs: “I’ve never had it
“I lived in LA for quite a long time so I’ve seen the crazy end of all of that
But if you’re a woman – or a man – wanting to look good for your age
“But if you’re a 60-year-old trying to look 18 then there’s probably a bit of trouble at t’mill.”
fed up of constantly dyeing her hair black
has embraced the “punk grey” look
she spent a fortune getting “chemicals” poured over her hair
but when the pandemic forced salons to close
“I had about two inches of grey,” KT recalls
“I’ve got a great friend in America who’s a hairdresser and she spent six hours getting all the black dye out
I shave the sides of my hair off so at least it’s punk grey.”
saying she “sorted her house out” emotionally and spiritually in her 40s
deciding there was “stuff” in her life that wasn’t helpful – like “behaviour and rage” – and surrounding herself with good people
turned out to be a hugely positive period: she could concentrate on herself and not worry about performing
“I came out of that in such good shape,” she reflects
“I think getting yourself to a place of peace is the most important work you can do in your life
and surrounding yourself with those people – that’s helpful.”
Losing hearing in her left ear in 2018 – a result of being in loud environments – was a big “wake up call” in terms of looking after herself
“The pillars of success for me now are having free time and choice in what I do
“I just want to be completely present and completely clear to enjoy every moment
“And I think when it doesn’t feel like work
you’ve got a lot of energy for it.”
KT was adopted 18 days after her birth by David Tunstall
a physics lecturer at the University of St Andrews and his wife Rosemarie
She returned to St Andrews for a gig at the Byre Theatre on February 8
following a performance at Crieff’s Strathearn Arts the previous night
Both gigs formed part of James Yorkston’s Tae Sup Wi’ A Fifer tour
and featured KT and Johnny Lynch’s Pictish Trail
was particularly poignant – it was the first place she was ever on stage
She was in a theatre group for kids called Stage One
“I have a very vivid memory of going on stage for the first time there
and me enjoying myself is making other people enjoy themselves’,” she says
KT enjoyed a walk round St Andrews and did a bit of ‘busking’ down at West Sands – where she was filmed for our new campaign
Fans were transfixed as she whipped out a guitar and played her best-known songs
Her make-up artist for the campaign was St Andrews-based Poppy Fenton
“I had my first kiss at school with Chris!” KT reveals
“I remember meeting Poppy as a baby – and now she’s my new bestie.”
The singer’s mum came to see the Byre show with some old neighbours, and KT toyed with a trip to the East Neuk to see Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote
who she describes as one of her “biggest mentors”
She was disappointed to miss Lawhead Primary’s 50th anniversary
adding: “I’d have gone to see the kids if it was a week day
“I’ve got such good memories of the school
KT worked in the coffee shop when she was 15
and then again in the bottle shop in her early 20s
“Tony was a constant in my early life
He’s off to Las Vegas so I missed him,” she laments
While KT doubts she’ll move back to St Andrews any time soon – she upped sticks to California in 2013
with her partner and dogs – she has fond memories of her life in Fife
“It was lovely being out with James Yorkston and Johnny Lynch from Pictish Trail because they were there
“James has known me since I was 15, doing gigs in The Vic, the Westport Bar
“We used to take the van and go off to the Twa Tams in Perth
It was a really good way of cutting your teeth
“When you’re playing in small venues you’ve got to win them over.”
And there’s a story that tells of KT being so skint that she stole broccoli from a farmer’s field
“There’s probably a bit of hubris in that
“We wouldn’t have starved to death
Our favourite meal then was pasta with ketchup
“I actually want to try it again to see if it’s disgusting
It wasn’t until 2004 – when KT was 29 – that her live
electrifying performance of Black Horse and the Cherry Tree on Later… with Jools Holland
the song was named Track of the Year by Q magazine – and her debut album
She’s since gone on to sell seven million records
and KT is brimming with excitement and energy for what’s to come
Her 50th on June 23 will be spent headlining a concert at the Royal Albert Hall
which she describes as a “dream come true”
she’ll support Simple Minds at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park
And then there’s the new Clueless musical
It opened in London’s West End on February 15
“I didn’t love musicals growing up – I thought they were cheesy,” she admits
“So I’ve tried to do music for a musical so that people who think they don’t like musicals have a brilliant time
Every song references a big hit from the 90s
and it’s based on Jane Austen’s novel Emma
“People could easily write it off as bubblegum pop
“It’s a beautiful story that everyone can relate to.”
Another feather in KT’s cap is doing voiceovers
She’s been narrating adverts for car company Skoda since 2022
“That’s my favourite job!” she enthuses
“I just go into the recording studio in my pyjamas
“They like my voice – and I love a Skoda
You’ve got to say ‘Schkoda’
She also did voiceovers for Icons of Football
“That was funny because I know nothing about football!” she laughs
KT is being careful not to develop an American accent
so I’m not losing touch with Scotland,” she says
“I’m very glad I’m not getting that hybrid accent – it’s awful!”
KT is fronting our new Courier campaign – Local Stories Make Us – which launches on March 10
Her ‘busking’ session in St Andrews will feature on promotional STV and Sky adverts – and will also be hosted on The Courier’s website and social media channels
The campaign celebrates the people – like KT – and moments that shape Tayside and Fife
Broughty Ferry RNLI coxswain Peter Hay is also featured in the campaign
highlighting his incredible service to saving lives in our community
Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter KT Tunstall has released KT Tunstall’s Clueless Mixtape featuring six new tracks from CLUELESS the Musical
The Musical is a new musical comedy based on the classic Paramount Pictures film
CLUELESS features a book by the iconic voice of a generation
CLUELESS makes its West End premiere from 15 February at London’s Trafalgar Theatre under the direction of Rachel Kavanaugh
a limited-edition physical release of KT Tunstall’s Clueless Mixtape will be exclusively available at the Trafalgar Theatre
This project marks a significant milestone in Tunstall’s growing relationship with BMG
not only as an Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter but also as a recording artist
KT Tunstall said: “Collaborating on CLUELESS has been an incredible journey
Creating an original score that captures the spirit of this iconic story has been a thrilling challenge
I’m excited to share KT Tunstall’s Clueless Mixtape with everyone
and I hope it brings as much joy to listeners as I had in making it.”
Amy Heckerling said: “I have been a rabid fan of KT Tunstall since I saw her video for ‘Black Horse and the Cherry Tree’ on MTV
I couldn't be more excited about the release of the EP that she recorded of the wonderful songs for CLUELESS
KT Tunstall’s Clueless Mixtape is available now here.
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Adaptation of Amy Heckerling’s classic 1995 comedy will open in London in February with a new score by the Scottish musician inspired by its soundtrack
Mean Girls has become a West End hit, Heathers is on tour and now Clueless is becoming a high-school musical
The 1995 film has been adapted for the stage by its original writer-director
with a new score by Scottish musician KT Tunstall
It will open at the Trafalgar theatre in London in February
marking 30 years since the release of the film which put a 90s LA spin on Jane Austen’s Emma
said the production also aimed to emulate the world of 90s MTV
View image in fullscreen‘A concert experience’ … KT Tunstall performs at the O2 Arena
Photograph: Joseph Okpako/WireImageClueless will have lyrics by Glenn Slater who wrote songs for the stage adaptations of The Little Mermaid
It will be directed by Rachel Kavanaugh who said the original film was the best of the era’s teen romantic comedies and “full of heart and warmth where some of the others aren’t”
Hailing Heckerling as a trailblazing female writer-director in Hollywood
Kavanaugh said “it’s such a privilege to have her writing the book for this musical”
Kavanaugh said the musical would delve into the minutiae of friendship groups
Joking that Tunstall had described that as “our DeLorean”
the director said the designs would be “absolutely recognisable [from the film] but not a carbon copy
they’re going to have to dance in these outfits.” Kelly Devine (Come from Away) is the musical’s choreographer
Tunstall performed versions of several songs including Human Barbies
written in the style of Green Day for the character Josh (played in the film by Paul Rudd)
“He is watching Cher sort of manipulating people to be what she thinks they should be,” said Tunstall of the song
which features the line “Barbies only bend so far before they break”
Numbers from Cher’s perspective include New Girl
which ends the musical and has the refrain “As if!”
will be featured on an EP released before the production opens
An off-Broadway musical adaptation of Clueless opened in 2018 and featured Heckerling’s humorous new lyrics for songs from the 90s
Aqua’s Barbie Girl became Valley Girl and Joan Osborne’s One of Us was rejigged as “What if Cher didn’t have a trust?”
'90s nostalgia and that yellow dress moment
If you’re someone who hasn’t been counting down the days until Clueless the musical hits the West End – as if
– then perhaps you’ll be convinced by the words of show composer KT Tunstall
The noughties singer songwriter teased the upcoming show would be “hugely different from what people expect,” although this was perhaps better put when she said “they’re gonna feel like they are at the most kick arse 9'0s gig ever!”
Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com
Tunstall explained why the original Clueless movie was so primed and ready to be adapted for theatre
I think of all the movies from that era this one is just the most special because it has this kind of deeper portrait of the characters and a real layer of authenticity – other films of the time didn’t go that deep.”
in a lot of those old movies the girls were kind of mean and there was a lot of cattiness
anyone who hasn’t seen Clueless might think it’s the same kind of ‘mean girl’ movie
Tunstall went on to praise the original Cher
She said: “On paper Cher is a terrible character
“She’s a rich kid who’s telling people what to do
but with Alicia Silverstone you just fall in love with her
sweet intentions and what happens to her so universal
Everybody reaches that point where you thought you knew what you were doing but you realised you got it so wrong.”
When it came to writing the music for the show
was how to honour the film’s cultural cachet 30 years on
while also paying tribute to the '90s themselves
“My dream was to make you feel like you were in a '90s jukebox musical no matter what genre of music you’re into,” she said
there is a song in this musical that you’ll love because we are just going to every genre and we’re basing a song on the vibe of those iconic '90s songs.”
Tunstall teased that song inspiration burst from everything from NSYNC’s It’s Gonna Be Me by to Torn by Natalie Imbruglia
She also spoke about using older production techniques to make each song
But what else did Tunstall draw on for inspiration
and the car is just so amazing it’s ridiculous!” she said
“So I came back and spoke to the director and said: 'the yellow plaid outfit is our DeLorean ok
Buy Clueless tickets at ATG Tickets
Buy Clueless tickets at London Theatre Direct
Clueless the Musical is coming to the Trafalgar Theatre from 15th February to 14th June 2025
Trafalgar Theatre sits just outside Trafalgar Square
a short walk from Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern Line) and Embankment (Bakerloo
Clueless tickets are on sale now at London Theatre Direct and ATG Tickets
there's plenty of availability but make sure you head over soon
Check out the best West End shows plus Elizabeth Debicki joins the cast of My Master Builder and how to get Beyoncé pre-sale tickets
Clueless is the perfect movie to turn into a musical – KT Tunstall explains whyKT Tunstall talks Clueless
'90s nostalgia and that yellow dress moment
The noughties singer songwriter teased the upcoming show would be “hugely different from what people expect,” although this was perhaps better put when she said “they’re gonna feel like they are at the most kick arse 9'0s gig ever!”
Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com
Paramount Pictures“She’s a rich kid who’s telling people what to do
Tunstall said it was a "no brainer"
while also paying tribute to the '90s themselves
“My dream was to make you feel like you were in a '90s jukebox musical no matter what genre of music you’re into,” she said
there is a song in this musical that you’ll love because we are just going to every genre and we’re basing a song on the vibe of those iconic '90s songs.”
Paramount PicturesTunstall teased that song inspiration burst from everything from NSYNC’s It’s Gonna Be Me by to Torn by Natalie Imbruglia
ensuring an “authentically '90s sound”
“So I came back and spoke to the director and said: 'the yellow plaid outfit is our DeLorean ok
Buy Clueless tickets at ATG Tickets
Buy Clueless tickets at London Theatre Direct
Clueless the Musical is coming to the Trafalgar Theatre from 15th February to 14th June 2025
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Acclaimed singer-songwriter KT Tunstall has performed a number from her brand new show Clueless A New Musical
Based on the much-loved 90s movie starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd
Clueless is coming to the West End’s Trafalgar Theatre in London
best known for hit songs including “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See”
alongside lyricist Glenn Slater (Sister Act
At a launch for the show this week in London
KT Tunstall also confirmed that she will release a six-song EP of numbers from Clueless
Clueless A New Musical has a book by writer of the original screenplay Amy Heckerling
who based the story on Jane Austen’s Emma
The production is directed by award-winning Rachel Kavanaugh, known for hit shows Half a Sixpence, The Great British Bake Off Musical, The Wind in the Willows, and forthcoming musical A Knight’s Tale; and choreography will be by Olivier Award winner Kelly Devine (Come From Away)
a wealthy and popular high school student who spends much of her time matchmaking — only to realise that she might not understand love as well as she thinks
Clueless A New Musical is playing the Trafalgar Theatre from 15 February 2025
KT Tunstall invited her inspirational former St Andrews drama teacher to a night at the theatre after a chance reunion
Alan Tricker was queuing to get into a production of Oliver in London on February 27 when he spotted his former pupil
The 75-year-old spent years at the Byre Theatre in St Andrews
One of the kids involved was KT, who grew up in the Fife town and recently returned to The Byre for a sold out gig
has credited Alan and Carol for her love of performing on stage
She recently told The Courier: “I have a very vivid memory of going on stage for the first time there and thinking
and me enjoying myself is making other people enjoy themselves.’
“That’s the core of what I do and always have done since then.”
Alan described his “pure chance” meeting with KT in London and how the star has come full circle after producing the score for the musical comedy Clueless
The former Dundee University lecturer said: “The meeting was pure chance
I’ve not talked to KT for around 15 years
“I tapped her on the shoulder and we got chatting; it was one of those where you don’t expect to bump into someone you know
“She asked if I wished to join her the following evening at Clueless – which was fantastic
I thoroughly enjoyed it and she’s done a really great job and the music was lovely.”
The Suddenly I See singer
who shot to fame with her 2004 album Eye to the Telescope
posted on her Instagram Story following their chance meeting
she said Alan is a “big part of why she loves performing on stage”
who moved from St Andrews to Edinburgh six months ago
added: “Carol would write one or two shows every year and KT was in them all for a while
she played Anne Frank as a 16-year-old in a superb production of Anne Frank’s Diary
“I always thought she might go on to do something – and although she gravitated towards music – when I saw Clueless in London
“She was always very good to work with; she always took on suggestions and had an innate feeling for her character
“To hear I was a big part of why she loves performing on stage is really nice
“It’s actually lovely to hear that Carol and I contributed to her development as an artist.”
The stage adaptation of the much-loved 1995 film is now officially open
Tom Millward
When it comes to covering West End opening nights
would WhatsOnStage let you down?… As if
Last night, VIPs, industry guests and fans alike gathered at the Trafalgar Theatre for the West End premiere of Clueless, which was hailed as “irresistible” by our critic Alun Hood in his glowing review
The new musical adaptation of the hit 1995 Paramount film
features a book by original screenplay writer Amy Heckerling
music by multi-platinum singer-songwriter KT Tunstall and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Glenn Slater
Find out what they had to say in the video below:
Clueless features choreography by Lizzi Gee
music supervision and arrangements by Carmel Dean
costumes by Tony Award winner Paloma Young
lighting by Ben Cracknell sound by Rob Bettle and Sam Clarkson for Sound Quiet Time
orchestrations by Simon Hale and casting by Olivia Laydon for Jill Green Casting
Get the best deals and latest updates on theatre and shows by signing up for WhatsOnStage newsletter today
It’s not every day you pogo in front of a miming KT Tunstall
But that’s what happened when I found myself standing next to the West Sands in St Andrews on a freezing cold February afternoon
miming to KT’s hit “Suddenly I See” while she “sang” along
she spent her days strumming her guitar in the overpass between Dundee city centre and the old Olympia leisure centre
But in an exclusive chat while filming an advert for The Courier’s Local Stories Make Us campaign
she revealed a juicy titbit: she never busked in her hometown of St Andrews
recalling her less-than-glamorous busking days in Dundee
It was my most unsuccessful day busking ever!”
KT’s career skyrocketed after those early days
But here’s where my own busking adventure comes in
It all started when KT agreed to feature in The Courier’s Local Stories Make Us campaign ahead of performing at the Byre Theatre
I didn’t expect my day to include miming to KT’s songs
and – of course – pogoing in a crowd on a freezing cold St Andrews afternoon
However, just an hour before the shoot, the word came down: KT wouldn’t be singing live, as she had to preserve her voice ahead of her Tae Sup Wi’ a Fifer appearance at the Byre that night and a mini-US tour
this change of plans raised anxiety levels
they scrambled to figure out how to make a busking scene work without actual busking
meaning it wasn’t certain where we’d be filming
they decided it would either be the bandstand by St Andrews Aquarium or the Bruce Embankment near the public toilets
However, as we waited to meet KT at the Hotel du Vin on The Scores
it emerged that she didn’t have a guitar to use as a prop
while we tried to act like this was all part of a normal Saturday afternoon…
By the time someone returned with the guitar
and KT had already sought shelter inside the entrance to the public toilets
the crew quickly gave KT her instructions: she had to walk in
and mime the song as it played from a Bluetooth speaker
I found myself standing in front of KT Tunstall
watching her mime “Suddenly I See,” while I and other members of the quickly-assembled crowd – including my teenage daughter who’d come along to be nosy – started singing
hopping around in the cold as KT mimed and laughed
I’m wearing gloves!” The amusing side of it all was not lost on anyone
KT put her coat back on – only to be told to take it off again
Now it was time for my moment in the sun (or
I had to interview KT briefly on camera, knowing that my features colleague Gayle Ritchie had interviewed her for far longer by phone the day before
I asked her about her busking experiences in St Andrews
making it clear that she was more than willing to poke fun at the situation
After a minute of awkward banter and camera buzzing
KT was whisked off for a soundcheck at the Byre Theatre
leaving me to reflect on what had just happened
I had just pretended to pogo in front of KT Tunstall
then pretended to interview her about busking
all for a split second appearance on screen
I’ll always have the memory of that frozen day
hopping around like a mad person in front of a rock star
If that’s not a bizarre yet memorable experience
KT is fronting The Courier’s new campaign – Local Stories Make Us – which launched on March 10
Her ‘busking’ session in St Andrews features on promotional STV and Sky adverts – and is also being hosted on The Courier’s website and social media channels
The campaign celebrates the people and moments that shape Tayside and Fife
He took the opportunity to show the celebrated Transylvanian virtuoso Cornwall
But Végh was most excited by his visit to Porth-en-Alls
an Arts and Crafts house built into the cliffs at Prussia Cove near Penzance."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Végh — once described as “a wild man of music” — was excited by the rough-hewn Cornish coast and the coconut-scented gorse and pink-flowered thrift that lined the paths around Porth-en-Alls
He was further delighted by the local new potatoes
plentiful seafood and the ever-changing sound and shape of the waves."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Végh was steeped in the"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":200})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In 1971 Hilary Tunstall-Behrens invited his violin teacher Sándor Végh to play the Beethoven concerto at Truro Cathedral
The TimesHilary Tunstall-Behrens hosted generations of young musicians at his family home of Porth-en-Alls
near PenzanceCLIVE BARDA/ARENAPALThe TimesThursday December 05 2024
The TimesIn 1971 Hilary Tunstall-Behrens invited his violin teacher Sándor Végh to play the Beethoven concerto at Truro Cathedral
an Arts and Crafts house built into the cliffs at Prussia Cove near Penzance
Végh — once described as “a wild man of music” — was excited by the rough-hewn Cornish coast and the coconut-scented gorse and pink-flowered thrift that lined the paths around Porth-en-Alls
plentiful seafood and the ever-changing sound and shape of the waves
Bedale businesswoman jailed over harassment of former partner
Author Antony Masterman acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots
Why should solar panel farms be controversial in today’s world
Author PatriciaF acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots
Author Roy Heap acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots
When the human race has destroyed itself by destroying the environment it won’t matter
Author J.D.Bell acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots
When are the powers that be going to see that in the dales area the most powerful asset we have is the water as it flows down the hillsides which can be used over and over again to provide clean power and will not dry up the rivers but could also possibly let man control some of the flows in flood conditions with small reservoirs
We only need to look back a very short time before electric arrived in the dales when they used many many water wheels to put water power into good use
almost every village in Wensleydale had a water wheel and many of them the same water would drive two or three water wheels on its way to the main river
Askrigg for one used water to provide early clean electric into it’s village
This water as it came down from the hills at Askrigg powered at least four water wheels before it finally joined the main river
The advantage of water power is it can be stored and controlled by man as wind and sun power can’t be stored and controlled by man
The only reason the flat areas of county used wind power is because they didn’t have any powerful water coming down any hillsides as we have here in the dales
This is where the money needs to be invested in reliable CLEAN WATER POWER
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To mark the 20th anniversary of her debut album
KT Tunstall chose to grace Glasgow twice as part of the Celtic Connections festival
This first gig at Royal Concert Hall was supposed to showcase the Scot’s coffee-table side with a seated audience
The following night she was headed to the Barrowland Ballroom to rock out — “definitely not in this suit,” she said
had never played her folk-rock debut in full before and had only met the other musicians 48 hours earlier — she’s been busy composing the score for the musical Clueless
which opens in the West End in London in a fortnight
Dan Cain
Senior Showbiz ReporterPublished: Invalid Date
HER debut album is considered an early noughties classic
And fans of the 2004 release Eye to the Telescope can't quite believe it's two decades old after its creator appeared on The One Show this week
The Scottish star has an undercut which she showed off with her hair tied back
The bubbly musician wore a slick of pink lipstick that matched her jumper and nails
Viewers couldn't believe how much time had passed since the hit album
which contained singles Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
Suddenly I See and Other Side of the World
One person commented on Instagram: "What
A third posted: "That whole album was amazing and she’s looking very cool."
The success of the record, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2005, wasn't lost on KT.
She said: "I have people coming up to me going 'I've listened to you my whole life.
She continued: "It was amazing because the song ended up much better known than me
I remember going to a party and someone went 'oh
"I said it was the song at the beginning of Devil Wears Prada and she went 'oh my God
"I was so lucky to have a song that connected with people like that."
The Devil Wears Prada starred Meryl Streep as ice queen fashion magazine boss Miranda Priestly, who is said to be based on Vogue editor Anna Wintour
Anne Hathaway played overwhelmed intern Andy Sachs who
with help from Stanley Tucci's character Nigel
received a high fashion glow up and won favour with Priestly
Tunstall has gone on to release seven more albums
her latest being a 2003 collaborative effort
which she wrote and performed with Suzi Quatro
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
Here’s a compliment to return to during moments of wintry self-doubt: the writer and director of Clueless
telling me “I love your outfit” when I walk into the rehearsals for the new West End musical adaptation of her film
Given that she set the blueprint for mid-Nineties escapist fashion — think the plaid yellow two-piece worn by the main character
Cher — Heckerling’s approval of my green cord skirt and pleather loafers is one to cherish
despite the fact that I wasn’t alive when it came out in 1995
I first watched it on VHS when I was about ten and spotted the glamorous cover image of the three stars (Alicia Silverstone
the crowds are feral – and the bands are right in your face
musicians talk about their most cherished concert sweatboxes
KT Tunstall and more pick their favourite small gig venuesThis article is more than 3 months oldThe drinks are thrown
so he reimagines the gig by standing on the footprint
He writes about how concerts can have such a powerful effect when you’re young that years later you feel the vibrations
even after the building has been knocked down
For anyone who has experienced that feeling
I remember the Square Club and Nero’s in Cardiff or the New Ocean Club where I saw the Hoodoo Gurus and Siouxsie and the Banshees
while St David’s Hall where I saw the Waterboys and Gary Numan is now closed because of deteriorating concrete
View image in fullscreen‘I’ve got a lot of memories there’ … music fans outside Tramshed
Photograph: Wales News ServiceI want to support the Tramshed because it’s replaced so many places which closed down
It is literally a former tramshed on the fringes of Tiger Bay
but I’ve got a lot of memories there already
It is on the larger side of intimate – usually 400-500 people – but it’s well run
We’ve used it as a rehearsal space for our tour and I’d love to play there at some point
We hear so many stories of failure or destruction around venues – it’s brilliant when something comes along and works
View image in fullscreenThe place that Oasis got signed ..
Photograph: Radharc Images/AlamyWhen musicians start out striving to get somewhere
they’re not thinking of the O2 or Glasgow’s SECC
My experience would be: “Imagine if we got a gig at the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh or Stereo in Glasgow.” King Tut’s was the holy grail
It is famously the place that Oasis got signed
so it gives you hope that someone will discover you
it will often start in a legendary little venue such as King Tut’s
it has all the names of people who’ve played there and I’m very proud to be listed
I first played there in the 90s in King Creosote’s band the Skuobhie Dubh Orchestra and my first gig there as a solo artist was in 2004
View image in fullscreenThe stairs at King Tut’s Wah Wah HutI remember being nervous because you want to have one of those amazing gigs that everyone remembers
It was so hot that after the show I looked like I’d just come out the shower
but when you can see the eyes of every single person in the room you learn your craft
Nobody runs a small venue to make pots of money
trying to keep the thing open or to stop it being bought by developers
They do it to give bands and musicians a chance
There are no bells and whistles or LED screens
and you’ve got to be humble enough to receive feedback
It’s: “Are your songs any fucking good?” If they are
but in 2014 we supported the Pop Group and after that we just took off
Two months ago we did a tour of small venues and played the Bodega for the first time in a decade
with not a lot of space between the audience and the stage
which really threw me when we got to the Bodega because there were a lot of people I knew
It was like playing your parent’s birthday party
We didn’t earn any money from that tour because it was so small but we wanted to give the venues some attention
If bigger bands than us did a tour every couple of years in small venues
A lot of people that work there are in bands
and it gives people the opportunity to experience the thrill of live music
So if someone isn’t interested in being in a band and goes to the Bodega
I wouldn’t be in Fat Dog if it wasn’t for the Windmill
I went to see Fat Dog there three years ago before I was in the band
and after the gig I mentioned that I could play the viola
I bought a viola and my neighbour who was in the Penguin Cafe Orchestra hurriedly showed me the ropes
but when they needed a synth player they asked me back
Since then we must have played the Windmill 20 times
our booking agent suggested we shouldn’t play there as much because we needed other shows so we started playing under secret names
One time we played the new music night as three different bands: Yes Sir
After a while people started to realise that if there was a daft name on the events list it would probably be us
The place is always packed and with capacity for 150 people it feels personal
which means that artists have to interact with people and everyone pays their way
A rapper called Danny – not the D4nny on YouTube – turned up in a fur coat and did karate moves outside
left without talking to anyone and for ages afterwards the room
Someone brought a cake out and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday”
View image in fullscreen‘You really earn your stripes here’ … the Camden Assembly in London
Photograph: Alena Kravchenko/AlamyGeorgia South (bass): I first played the Barfly when I was 15 and in a school band who played the underage night
It was so inspiring to see other bands there and think: “We could do this too.” You would have to lug the gear up lots of stairs but you really earn your stripes
There’s capacity for 200 people on each floor and it’s got a really high stage
so you feel elevated – empowered – when you play there
Amy Love (vocals/guitar): We’ve known each other since we were 11
When we started Nova Twins our first gig was at the Barfly
Seeing our name on a poster was such a big thing
Eventually we were able to put on our own night
It’s a very diverse place so there were women and girls in the mosh pit
That was the first time I didn’t straighten my hair
It was the biggest show we’d done at that point and seeing a capacity audience in front of us was a turning point: the moment we realised we could have an impact
View image in fullscreen‘I saw my first ever gig there aged six’ … Clwb Ifor Bach
Photograph: © Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales
All rights reserved.“Little Ivor’s club” started years ago as a Welsh language social club
I saw my first ever gig there aged six – my mum took me to see [singer-songwriter] Meic Stevens
I could never have dreamed that one day I would play my first gig there
and I’ve since been in that exact spot again in different points in my life
The list of artists that have been through there is incredible [including the Killers
LCD Soundsystem and George Ezra] but we’re not engaging with live artists like that as much any more
New artists are breaking through from their bedrooms to social media profile to a billion streams
which puts live venues in a precarious position
Yet people have been coming together to make and listen to music since neolithic times
and there’s something about a community of people committed to music that enriches it
I’ve never been to Clwb Ifor Bach and not known almost everybody there
won the Welsh Music prize for my first album [Y Dydd Olaf] and a week afterwards Clwb Ifor Bach unveiled a mural of me on the side of the building
I was in a complete daze of early motherhood thinking: “Oh my goodness.”
View image in fullscreen‘I was far more nervous singing to a hundred people than I was at the O2’ … Alphabet
BrightonAll I ever wanted was to make a living doing music
I played my first gig in a “pub idol” competition when I wasn’t old enough to be in there
I was working as a dinner lady when things started happening for me as a singer [winning the 2022 BBC Radio 1 dance vocalist of the year award and scoring hits with Sonny Fodera and Chase & Status.] I’ve played countless small venues and had incidents such as scraping the hired van on the way in
Small venues teach you the value of persistence
For my first solo tour last year I wanted to do something different
It’s a really old school [established in 1867 as the Swan Downer school for poor girls] with no windows because putting them in was too expensive
The new owner has renovated it into a quirky hidden gem with an incredible sound system
two scousers drove down from Liverpool and slept in their car to see me
I sang at the O2 for the first time – a night with Sonny Fodera
then two with Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics – and soon afterwards played a small venue with [production duo] Parisi
I was far more nervous singing to a hundred people than I was at the O2
View image in fullscreenIt’s tiny but iconic … the George Tavern
Photograph: Richard Barnes/AlamyThe George Tavern is one of the oldest pubs in London
It’s a listed building and the vertical staircase down to the cellar from behind the bar indicates just how old it is [700 years old]
It’s very dark – even the furniture – dimly lit and moody
I first saw a friend’s band there five years ago and have since been many times as a punter and in various bands including a five-piece that felt very intense because we were all crammed on to the tiny stage
Last year Wunderhorse played a gig there to road test our album
I always bump into people and the George’s music goes across the board so you can see great stuff in its rawest form
For anyone with the the courage to start a band
Independent Venue Week shows feature in various venues nationally until 2 February.