KT Tunstall’s performance at Epcot Center in September 2025 was short and to the point, part of the park’s Eat to the Beat music series. Known for her work in the mid-2000s and her skill with looping pedals and percussive guitar, Tunstall brought a concise set that showcased a few hits and newer material. While the show didn’t have the depth or length of her standard concerts, it was enough to remind attendees of her songwriting and live performance skills.
A Compact Performance Space
The amphitheater at Epcot is designed for these festival-style appearances, giving artists a chance to play to an audience that is often a mix of casual listeners and die-hard fans. Tunstall’s setup was minimal: acoustic guitar, foot pedals, and a small sound rig. There was no full band, and the focus was entirely on her playing and vocals. In this context, the set was brief, but her performance felt competent and well-rehearsed, even if it lacked the energy and stagecraft of her usual shows.
The Setlist
Given the short time allotted, Tunstall had only six songs on the bill:
Setlist – KT Tunstall, Epcot Center, September 2025
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It Took Me So Long to Get Here, but Here I Am
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Other Side of the World
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Black Horse and the Cherry Tree (with a snippet of “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes)
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Strange Sight
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Hold On (with a snippet of “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles)
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Suddenly I See
The set leaned heavily on her most recognizable work, with only brief nods to newer songs.
Opening Tracks
The show began with “It Took Me So Long to Get Here, but Here I Am,” which served as a polite but straightforward introduction. The song’s reflective tone and layered guitar loops were executed cleanly, but the short performance window didn’t allow for much buildup. “Other Side of the World” followed, providing a softer moment, though it lacked the intimacy one might expect in a smaller venue.
Hits and Musical References
The set included the familiar “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”, a song designed for live looping. Tunstall incorporated a brief snippet of “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, which added a playful touch, though it was a quick nod rather than a full mash-up. Similarly, during “Hold On,” she referenced “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles, an interpolation that gave the song a lighthearted moment but felt more like filler than a substantial creative choice.
Newer Material
Tunstall included “Strange Sight” as her primary newer track. Its cinematic feel suited the festival environment, but the brevity of the set meant the song didn’t have time to develop fully. For attendees unfamiliar with her recent work, it provided a brief glimpse of her ongoing output without making a lasting impression.
Closing with Familiarity
The set ended with “Suddenly I See,” the career-defining hit that inevitably draws the most attention. The audience response was predictable: people sang along and moved to the rhythm. It served as a safe, crowd-pleasing closer, but also reinforced the sense that the set had relied heavily on familiar material rather than exploring her broader catalog.
Overall Impressions
The main limitation of this performance was its length. At roughly thirty minutes, the show didn’t allow Tunstall to explore her music beyond the highlights. Fans hoping for deep cuts or extended looping sections would have left wanting more. That said, her musicianship and vocal control were solid, and she managed to deliver a competent, if brief, live show.
For the casual audience at Epcot, the set provided a concise dose of KT Tunstall’s music, enough to enjoy her recognizable hits and a couple of newer songs. For dedicated fans, however, it felt more like a sampler than a full performance.
Conclusion
KT Tunstall’s Eat to the Beat performance at Epcot was functional and professional but notably short. Her looping skills, guitar work, and vocal delivery were all on point, and the setlist covered the essentials for fans and casual listeners alike. Still, the show’s brevity and reliance on hits left it feeling limited in scope. It was an adequate festival appearance, but not one that will rank among her more memorable live performances.
The performance was proof that Tunstall can still execute her songs cleanly and efficiently, even in unconventional settings, but it also underscored the limitations of mini-set festival shows: enjoyable, but ultimately unsatisfying for anyone hoping for a full-length KT Tunstall concert experience.