Since returning to the fire service after winning TV glory and recording his debut album, Stevie McCrorie has been at pains to point out he is far from finished with the music business.
His decision to return to the “day job” and ensure family security against the fickleness of showbiz is understandable but, on his showing as support act for KT Tunstall at Perth Festival of the Arts, possibly unnecessary.
The modest Fifer appeared for a stripped back solo half hour set with nothing but a guitar for support.
Good as his guitar playing is, McCrorie’s main asset is his powerful voice and he used it to good effect to win over a crowd which, by his own admission, was not his own.
He whipped through his best-known songs including the cover version of Kodaline’s All I Want which won him backing on the talent show in which he made his name.
Chart topping single Lost Stars was another highlight, while a cover of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire was a particular highlight, showcasing a terrific vocal range.
The rest of the set was made up of album tracks from his post-Voice release, Big World.
McCrorie spent the night referring to the BBC show as the “V-word which we don’t speak about” but he may be right to think he no longer needs its profile to carve out a niche for himself.
