My Perfect Weekend: Katie Melua

It's Friday afternoon, what's on your mind?

I'll be thinking about the night ahead, which will probably involve going out to a venue such as the Ginglick or 12 Bar to listen to some unsigned band and getting excited about hearing something new and fresh.

Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekend?

If I've been working all week then I would see all my friends and family, the family being mum, dad and brother and then best mates and boyfriend. When I was younger, we lived with my extended family, so my grandparents and my uncles as well. I love being with lots of people.

How do you prepare for a big night out?

It used to take me hours and hours to get ready for a big night out, now I'm a lot more chilled about it and 40 minutes of getting made up and dressed will mostly do.

What's your favourite party outfit?

A pair of leather trousers, cowboy boots and a nice Ralph Lauren shirt – that's my comfy party outfit. If I'm going to a more formal occasion then nothing beats a little black dress. I've got about 100 of those and they're all completely different, but my mum thinks they are all the same.

You've just arrived at the bar. What's your first drink?

Jack Daniels and Coke, I think this is a really good drink to set up with, and then I like to drink shots because I like my ratio of fluid intake to be smaller than my alcohol intake.

What's your favourite nightspot and why?

In my bed – I love my sleep. I'm actually quite fascinated by sleep. It's interesting how we have different types of sleep and there's phases that also last throughout the day, so depending on what time you have a catnap determines how beneficial that sleep is.

What tune always gets you on the dance floor?

MGMT – Kids. I heard this song at least six months before it became a huge hit, an old friend played it to me and I loved the video too.

In fact, this is such a favourite song of mine that whilst on tour in South Africa after a big night, I got to my hotel room and had a little mini rave all by myself. So much so that I ended up hyperventilating from jumping around too much.

It's a sunny Saturday, what are you up to?

Probably hanging out in Notting Hill meeting a friend for coffee – there are a lot of Georgians that live in the area, we might go for a picnic in Hyde Park.

What was your most memorable weekend, and why?

When I went as a punter to Glastonbury and I saw Regina Spektor and Lisa Hannigan; but I also loved the whole atmosphere outside of the music.

A festival isn't a festival unless you've got some mud and there were some good mud fights going on, but we also had a bit of sun which was much nicer.

What's the recipe for a perfect night in?

A good book or a good TV programme like Gossip Girl or Lost – sushi takeaway and my boyfriend to cuddle with.

Actually James doesn't like Gossip Girl (surprise surprise).

The best nights in we've had is when we've introduced each other to music, like when I first introduced him to David Bowie, I was so excited he had yet to discover Hunky Dory.

Favourite DVD? And what would you eat while watching it?

The Last Waltz, and I would eat some Georgian food if I was lucky enough that Mum had made it.

I first watched the Last Waltz on a tour bus because my band were horrified that I had never seen it before and they said it was the ultimate music DVD.

I did fall in love with Robbie Robertson (the lead guitarist from the band) after watching it, especially the bit when he has a double solo with Eric Clapton.

Sunday breakfast – cooked or continental?

Cooked – especially if there is a hangover going on. I love sausages, bacon, baked beans, scrambled egg and a bit of Marmite on the toast. Yum.

Sunday lunch – home cooked?

No a nice pub, Like the Crown and Sceptre in Holland Park, they've got great food there. Mostly I have the turkey but sometimes feel like some beef and Yorkshire puddings, and I'm very particular about good Yorkshire puddings!

When and how do you like to relax?

Love relaxing after Sunday lunch with all the newspapers, I especially love looking to see if there are any good plays or exhibitions on in London so that I can plan my week.

You've got a whole weekend off and a wad of money in your back pocket. Which country or city would you head to?

It would have to be the Big Apple, New York – I love the energy and the madness of the city.

I once got stuck there because of a snow storm and it was really magical walking through the streets looking up while the snow was falling, it seemed like the buildings were going to tumble down too.