A Festival Diary: Suede at Medimex 2026

What is it like to spend an entire day waiting for Suede at a summer festival? Our reporter on the ground, Consuela Torelli, shares her personal diary from Medimex in Taranto (Italy). From a lovely surprise to a powerful headline performance that left fans exhausted, emotional and already longing for the next show.

Way Too Many Hours to Suede: A Feverish Countdown

Finding out two days after their Milan concert at the end of March that Suede would be returning to Italy on June 21st this year for a summer date at Medimex in Taranto was such exciting news for me. I was thrilled to see them again so soon. I bought tickets the same day they went on sale.

The anticipation quickly became a feverish countdown. I couldn't wait to experience what I knew would be a wonderful experience.

11 Hours to Suede: the Beautiful Ones Arrive

Most of us fans who aren't residents of Taranto had been there since Friday, but Sunday came soon. The day started very early. We met in the morning with Andrea Grasso, Pietro Galluzzi, Andrea D. Keaton, Becky d’Ugo, Marika Fanciello, Enrico Enriquez and Purdey Fava at the Rotonda del Lungomare in Taranto, the venue for the event, with the beautiful blue backdrop of the Ionian Sea.

There were already some other fans there. I was number 6, and Katja Pönkkä, Simon Lemcke, Stefanie Mohr and Britta Burmester were already there, as was Anna Cassano, who was number 1. Then Mike Jackson arrived with Daisy Edwards and other girls. Sorry if I've missed someone.

When such an emotional synergy is created among fans, it lays the perfect foundation for experiencing the concert not as mere spectators, but as one big family

That morning was incredible: an explosion of joy, sincere hugs, welcome kisses, and laughter among us. It was wonderful to be there among old friends and new faces united by the same passion for Suede.

It's this total harmony that makes the difference: when such an emotional synergy is created among fans, it lays the perfect foundation for experiencing the concert not as mere spectators, but as one big family. There was a sense of positivity and joy that accompanied us throughout the day.

And this is the magic that only Suede can create. Plus, there was a wonderful surprise waiting for us...

8 Hours to Suede: Security Said No, We Said: I Can't Hear You!

The area around the stage was visible, but far away, almost completely cordoned off, forcing us to initially stay at a considerable distance from the stage. From afar, we could see technicians testing the instruments, while videos and images related to Suede songs were being projected.

Security had disappointed us by telling us not to stand near the barrier, claiming that the band had already done their soundcheck before we arrived and had therefore left. As we turned the corner, suddenly the space around us was torn apart by the unmistakable opening chords of Animal Nitrate and Brett's magnetic voice. The boys were doing soundcheck!!! It was beautiful; it was like a little show just for us.

We gave security a hard time for preventing us from moving forward. We are unstoppable!

At that exact moment, we rushed forward in unison, trying to gain every single metre possible towards the stage. Even though the distance was still vast, the joy and pure excitement of that moment were simply inexpressible. Their music erased the metres that divided us from them.

There were moments of hilarity and pure fun as well, as we gave security a hard time for preventing us from moving forward. We only wanted to see the boys a little bit closer ☹, but we, who are unstoppable, insisted on getting as close to the stage as possible, under the sun and the scorching heat typical of an Italian summer in Puglia.

7 Hours to Suede: An Endless Afternoon

Afternoon. Security began to set up more barriers to control the crowd. Like everyone else, I was starting to get a little nervous. It felt like time had stopped and would never pass. We all wanted to be in the front row, of course. The line kept growing longer and longer, and when the gates opened, unfortunately, there were some tense moments.

Despite everything, after a long run, I managed to reach the barrier along with the others. I was overjoyed. Mission accomplished.

Suede were the headliners, and before them, NYCR and Slowdive performed. During Slowdive's performance, I noticed Richard hiding backstage, while next to me was a group of very young kids from Taranto who couldn't wait to see Suede on stage... the new generation of Suede fans <3

0 Hours to Suede: FINALLY!

Despite it being evening, the heat hadn't eased, but we were still standing firm at the barriers.

At 11:00 PM, the explosion: Suede's entrance onto the stage to the first notes of "Disintegrate" swept away every hour of waiting.

My heart was in my throat with joy. I couldn't help but jump. You all know that feeling.

From the very first moment on stage, Brett was a force of nature, as always: a primal and extraordinary energy that literally overwhelmed us all.

It's time to release the Animal!!!

This was followed by "Trash," "Animal Nitrate" ("It's time to release the Animal!!!" Brett shouted), and "The Drowners" during which Brett, even managing to find a way through the barrier, came down among the eagerly waiting crowd to sing with them and be showered with hugs.

"Personality Disorder" raised the adrenaline levels even higher, and the crowd was completely fired up.

Watch Consuela's video

30 minutes of Suede: Pure Poetry

Then Brett returned to the stage and lay down to sing a stunning version of "The 2 of Us," a moment of pure romance in its literary sense, of art within art that only a lead singer like Brett Anderson can bring to the stage.

Here Brett and the band gave us another wonderful surprise. During the intro to "The 2 of Us," Brett recited some lines from Christina Rossetti's poem "Song" (Rossetti was a Victorian poet associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement)

...When I am dead, my dearest, Sing no sad songs for me; Plant thou no roses at my head, Nor shady cypress tree: Be the green grass above me With showers and dewdrops wet; And if thou wilt, remember, And if thou wilt, forget. I shall not see the shadows, I shall not feel the rain; I shall not hear the nightingale Sing on, as if in pain: And dreaming through the twilight That doth not rise nor set, Haply I may remember, And happily may forget….

Then it started again with the crowd dancing to the rhythm of “Dancing with the Europeans.” Brett was smiling, pacing the stage from right to left and engaging the crowd. It was an incredible exchange of energy, which continued with “Filmstar” and “Can’t Get Enough.” No one could stay still; the rhythm was overwhelming.

Then it was time for “June Rain,” during which Brett stepped off the stage again and hugged some fans at the barrier. It was a very sweet and intense moment, full of warmth and empathy. It was a wonderful performance under the starry sky of a summer night.

When the first notes of “Everything Will Flow” began, I couldn’t keep my arms still, moving to its sweet rhythm as so many beautiful memories came flooding back to me.

Immediately after that came the lovely “She Still Leads Me On,” which Brett dedicated to all the mothers in the audience and to his own mother <3, raising his arms to the sky. This was followed by the energetic rush of “Shadow Self” and the unmissable “She’s in Fashion,” which marked its 27th anniversary. My goodness, it feels like only yesterday that it came out!

“So Young,” “Metal Mickey,” and “Beautiful Ones” sent the crowd into raptures, and then came the finale, “Saturday Night,” introduced by Brett, who joked with the crowd by asking, “What day is it today? It’s not Sunday, it’s Saturday!”

The concert finale was accompanied by a beautiful outpouring of affection from the crowd, with Brett showered with hugs and kisses.

The aftermath: See You Soon!

Even though it was quite late, the band was available after the concert for a quick greeting and some autographs.

An unforgettable, magical night. I could barely feel my legs and arms because I'd been jumping and dancing the whole time (thanks to my husband, who somehow managed to take some short videos and photos while jumping and singing himself). My voice was weak because I'd been singing at the top of my lungs all night, but my heart was filled with the joy that Suede are known for.

Thank you, Suede, forever <3

Are you lucky enough to be seeing Suede this summer? We're seeking fans who'd like to contribute something from the shows they attend.

The format is entirely up to you. Write a gig review, collect reactions from fans in the crowd, moan about the setlist like a seasoned music journalist, put together a photo diary, create a video recap, document your Suede travel curse, make a riderwatch quiz or come up with something completely original.

Interested? Send us your proposal and your contribution could find its way onto The Insatiable Ones website.