SUSAN HEDGES has carved out a successful career in a demanding world, that of singer, songwriter and performer. She is a writer and a fighter, someone who, in her own words, operates firmly on her own terms. One of her songs is called Ain't Looking For Your Sympathy. Susan, 20, who is blind, says: "I was born three weeks premature and the doctors said I wouldn't survive. They told my mum and dad to go to the register office and not to wait, as they'd probably be going to register a birth and a death at the same time. When my parents got back to the ward all the nurses were saying 'We can tell she's a fighter'." Today, the Liverpudlian star, who counts Alan Bleasdale as one of her biggest fans, is loving every moment of her career. This week she is appearing at the Mathew Street Festival. It will be her biggest audience to date - and she can't wait. She says: "The festivals I've done so far have had audiences of four to five thousand, but the main stage at the Pier Head should be more than twice that. "I am looking forward to performing mainly my own material from my new album, called Faces Without Names. "We will probably do two to three cover versions of songs by Led Zeppelin, Police, and maybe right back to the 50s, by doing a rock 'n' roll song such as Great Balls Of Fire." Susan, a student at Liverpool community college, says it is a massive thrill to be doing the festival. "If you are a music fan you have to like The Beatles. You cannot overestimate their influence on modern pop music. There wouldn't be any Mathew Street Festival if there'd been no Beatles." Susan appeared at the mini Mathew Street Festival back in May. "We performed at the Cavern and I got invited to take the band to festivals in America and Barcelona - but this is my first time at the big one." In addition to the Mathew Street Festival, Susan and her band The Other Kind will be going to London a week later. "We're playing at the Liberty Festival in Trafalgar Square. It's organised by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. We played there last year and went down so well that they've invited me back to close the show this year." Even at such a young age she says there have been many highlights, such as winning awards like Merseyside Woman of the Year's Best Newcomer. There have been the festivals, the critically acclaimed albums and appearing on Breakfast TV. She is also Susan Hedges by royal appointment, having performed for Prince Charles and Prince Edward. "My music has given me so many great moments," says Susan, whose proud parents support her in every way. "The biggest thrill for me is walking into HMV and hearing my album over the PA and thinking 'My God, that's me'." But, says Susan: "My one regret is that I can't SEE my audience - but at least I can hear and feel the response." * Susan Hedges and her band The Other Kind, 4pm, Saturday August 27, on the south stage, Liverpool Pier Head. | 
