Some weekends don’t quite feel real, and this was definitely one of them.
I had the absolute pleasure of being invited to Rock in Rio Lisboa to watch the legendary Rod Stewart headline. It was my first time in Portugal, and I honestly couldn’t have imagined a better introduction. The atmosphere was incredible, the crowd were amazing, and there was such an infectious energy from the moment we arrived.
Watching Rod Stewart perform live was nothing short of inspiring. After such an extraordinary career, he still walks on stage with the same charisma, energy and presence that have made him one of the greatest performers of all time. It was one of those shows you don’t just watch, you experience.
One of the biggest highlights for me was catching up with David Palmer, Rod’s incredible drummer and a great friend and collaborator of mine. Seeing David doing what he does best on such an iconic stage made the whole weekend even more special.
Then came one of those pinch-me moments. I had the opportunity to meet the wonderful Cyndi Lauper, who was every bit as kind, warm and funny as you’d hope. Growing up listening to artists like Rod and Cyndi, meeting them both backstage was something I’ll never forget. We even ended up watching the football backstage with Rod before the show, which definitely wasn’t on my bingo card! Those are the moments you simply can’t plan.
For the festival, I wore a vintage 1993 Versace set that I’d sourced myself online through pre-loved apps. Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely love the thrill of hunting down pieces with a bit of history. I get far more excited about finding something special for a bargain than I ever do about the price tag. It must be the Geordie in me. 💋
The trousers were actually a purchase from about a year ago that didn’t fit at the time (the classic “I’ll slim into them” gamble!). Then, by complete chance, I came across the matching shirt on the very same app months later. It felt like it was meant to be, and Rock in Rio seemed like the perfect place to finally wear them together.
One of my favourite things about buying pre-loved is giving beautiful pieces a second life. It’s a more sustainable way to shop, and you end up wearing something that has a story of its own rather than something everyone else has.
What an unforgettable weekend. Incredible music, incredible people, and memories I’ll treasure forever. Thank you, Portugal! I’ll definitely be back. 🇵🇹❤️
