As the Sundance Film Festival flows into its second week, natives and newbies congested the Rich Haines Gallery for another evening of ASCAP Music Café on Wednesday. Itching for an intimate and booze-accompanied acoustic series of new and established talent, Wednesday’s audience was thrilled with a Country Music Association Songwriter Spotlight and a strong ending from Scotland native KT Tunstall.
Dedicated to showcasing exceptional live performances from all ends of the musical spectrum, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers bring a series of acoustic sets to Sundance every year. The focus on the musical aspect of Sundance films is what brings together old and new voices each year. Spotlighted at the ASCAP Music Café is a variety of works from those featured in the festival films to original songs.
Wednesday’s Music Café audience was met with an alternative Nashville feel when artists Escondido and Matthew Perryman Jones opened the evening of the CMA Songwriter Spotlight. Lee Ann Womack, Brett James, Brandy Clark, and Chris Stapleton performed a round set that emphasized the soulful and extraordinary music hailing from Tennessee.
“Rules of the round, there are no rehearsals,” Brett James said as the foursome started tuning in. Chris Stapleton’s cover of “Drink a Beer” by Luke Bryan got the audience moving. Also, Brandy Clark’s solid performances of Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Mr. Know-It-All” kept us on our toes.
But it was Lee Ann Womack’s emotional and original songs that left the crowd silent. Steering clear of the probable “I Hope You Dance” performance, Womack chose to sing a song written for her by the man to her left — Brett James. After leaving tears in her eyes and the gallery in silence, the CMA Songwriter Spotlight seemed to fill the void many patrons didn’t even know they possessed.

Just as the room seemed to be winding down, the raspy vocal sound of KT Tunstall echoed from the stage. As anticipated, she gave quite the show, incorporating rain stick and bass beats into the sounds of her newest album “Invisible Empire// Crescent Moon” and the gentler “Other Side of the World.” Listeners questioned whether she would steer clear of an old favorite — that is until Tunstall jokingly exclaimed, “Now comes the part where most of you say, ‘Oh that’s who she is.’ ” With cheers flooding the gallery, “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” had an entire crowd of backup singers. To end the set, Tunstall gave a stimulating rendition of “Boys of Summer” that Don Henley himself would swoon over.
As everyone broke away for further festival happenings, the tunes from the night were heard mumbled through the dispersing crowd.
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