Hi guys and gals, if anyone remembers from my "KT Week in the UK!!!" posts a few years ago, my “reviews” are pretty much random thoughts. So if you want a play-by-play of everything KT played and said…I’m not your guy.
The first thing that surprised me about Ulster Hall in Belfast was that it was NOT sold out. I don’t know how many people Ulster Hall can hold but there were at least 100 empty seats including the balcony. How is this possible?
One of the cool things about Ulster Hall, however, was that the lighting projected a huge shadow of KT against the far wall so human-height KT watched giant-height KT play all night! I thought about taking a photo of the shadow but I decided that turning around and taking a flash photo would annoy (and confuse) the people behind me so I passed.
A bunch of people were dressed up for Halloween but not KT. She applauded those who made an effort and explained that she didn’t think dressing up "with a knife coming out of her head" fit with playing songs from the heart. But then her stage crew, Dave, tossed her a rubber horse head! It wasn't scary-looking (more cartoon-ish) but she told the crowd that she was one the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" and this was their chance to take a photo and tell people she wore a horse head all night. Sure enough, she put it on and posed for pictures.
Having seen KT a zillion times, I (and all of you) could predict what song was coming next.
Later, she played a new cover song for the first time…“Default” by Atoms for Peace. Google it and you’ll see why this is a ridiculously complicated song to cover. Even after hearing the original, I have no idea whether KT got it right! She warned the crowd that they wouldn’t be able to sing along and she was most definitely correct.
At the end, the crowd cheered for an encore but didn’t stand up. Is this a Northern Ireland tradition? I’ve never seen an audience cheer for an encore while seated! Despite the mixed message, KT clearly understood the intent and played a terrific encore ending with Chimes as she did in the US. On to Dublin tonight.
Last, the most random thought of all. Does anyone else listen to the music KT has playing before she comes on stage? It's usually something catchy and this tour she doesn't disappoint. Do you know "That's Not My Name" by the Ting Tings? It really gets in your head!