Girls aloud resorts world arena, birmingham

10 SEPTEMBER

With a flurry of hits and a flair for tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, the globetrotting singer has achieved the status of international icon. In-between stops on her whirlwind tour, she reflects on literature, letting love in and the transformative power of live performance

THANKS TO HER ANTHEMIC AND VIRAL HIT ‘MESSY’, THE MUSICIAN IS ONE OF THE MOST DOWNLOADED WOMEN ON THE PLANET TODAY. SHE TELLS NICOLA FAHEY WHY SHE’LL ALWAYS FIND JOY – AND VULNERABILITY – THROUGH MUSIC

Your heads-up on this season’s must-see shows and events

Britpop is having a moment – and it’s not just Oasis and Pulp who are reaping the rewards as many of their 90s peers seem to be enjoying an upswing in fortunes, too, including, notably, Shed Seven. Pa

‘Magnifique’, B-side A B-side cut from the first Scissor Sisters album, this track is a manifesto for the band’s approach to pop music. A high-camp and flirtatious description of a handsome piece of t