Flaming Nora

To the Tyne Theatre last night in Newcastle to see Madness front man Suggs talk and sing his way through his life in Suggs, My Life Story In Words & Music. It's the first time I've ever been to an autobiographical show like this, and I guess Suggs is telling his life story his way while many famous people write it down in a book. It was a great night, an intimate show, highly recommended. You can read a review of his show at York online here . And the official Suggs tour website is here.

To Victoria Park in East London this week week for an afternoon of dancing, drinking and soaking up the tunes. I honestly can't think of a better way to spend time and wish I could do this every week. Beer, banter and music in the outdoors, what more does a girl need? Anyway, it was Madstock 2009 and a great time was had by all despite forking out £4.10 for a cheese and onion pasty and a "Golden Circle" area so large in front of the stage it stretched all the way back to the sound-desk. This meant that those of us not prepared to pay extra to get Golden Circle tickets were shunted to the sidelines. It was like being invited to a party and told to dance in the hallway, not the living room. But I digress, the gig was fab. Madness were wonderful, many of the audience were in full fancy-dress and with kids under 12 getting in free, there was a wonderful family atmosphere too. We danced and sang along to The Pogues, The Blockheads, Jerry Dammners' Spatial AKA orchestra and...

I had a rant at the telly last night when I saw Suggs advertising fish fingers. Nothing wrong with fish fingers, I love 'em and I'm quite fond of Suggs too. But I ranted away when I saw him selling his soul to the adman. Why couldn't he have been advertising something trendy, Doc Marten shoes, Brylcreem - anything but fish fingers? And when I finished my rant my boyfriend said he couldn't understand what I was going on about... and that's when it hit me. I was ranting because seeing Suggs on TV doing an advert, for something as mundane as fish fingers, meant the end of era as I knew it. It reminded me I'm not the 17 year old Madness fan I was once. I'm grown up and so is Suggs. It took a while for the realisation of the rant to hit home but when it did, a lump welled up in my throat and I had a bit of a moment. If you haven't yet had your youth pulled to pieces by watching Suggs advertising fish fingers, it's online right here.