The last time I met Lewis and The Way Back Up!

I said I wouldn't post again and I said I wouldn't go to see Prides again, but here I am and the promises I never kept...

After Live At Leeds, I did stay away from Prides.  I had tickets for all 3 dates of Dot To Dot festival and to see Prides at the Lighthouse in Glasgow, but I didn't go to any of these events.

However, I did still go to Barn On The Farm festival, at which Prides were playing, as I had arranged to go with my friend and also my favourite artist was also playing there. I didn't plan to actually watch Prides, but my friend obviously wanted to see them as they are still her favourite band, and when it came to their set I stayed with her and I saw them play and it was all good. It did feel a bit weird watching a band who I knew had blocked and hated me. But I was enjoying the festival so much it didn't really matter at the time. (By the way, Barn On The Farm is such a lovely festival, I recommend it to everyone!)

The Monday after Barn On The Farm, Prides were doing a live session at XFM in Manchester.  XFM had done a competition for people to win tickets to this, and I was one of the lucky winners...

I hadn't entered this competition for myself; my friend was desperate to go to this, so I entered with the intention of giving her my ticket if I won and she didn't.  But then we both ended up winning tickets - and each ticket came with a plus one too! I did feel excited to have actually won something and to have the chance to visit the XFM studio, and as I couldn't find anyone to give my tickets to, I decided to go.

When we walked into the XFM session room, Prides said hi to my friends but didn't even look at me. We sat and watched them do several songs and I enjoyed the set, they sounded lovely.  Lewis never looked in my direction, but that was fine, I was just enjoying the music.

After they had finished playing, we got told that we could all have a photo with the band on the way out.  I wasn't sure I would be allowed one, but I queued up anyway. When it came to my turn, I asked if it was ok for me to have a photo, and Stewart said 'Of course, that's what we're here for'. So I walked forward and stood between Stewart and Lewis.  Lewis stared straight ahead and didn't acknowledge I was there. Stewart asked how I was, I said I was good and asked how they were, he and Callum were both friendly and replied, but Lewis remained silent. I asked him 'are you ok Lewis?' He continued staring straight ahead and gruffly said 'yeah'.

We had a couple of photos taken, and I thanked them and started to walk off, but then much to my surprise Stewart said 'thanks for coming!' I know he had to be nice to me because there were people from XFM present, but I was still touched that he thanked me, and it did mean a lot to me. When I got home I tweeted him and thanked him for being so nice and I apologised for the negative things I had said about him in the past, but he ignored me and I still remain twitter blocked by the band.  So yeah I know it was all fake niceness from him so he wouldn't look bad in the presence of people from XFM, but still it made me happy at the time and I am grateful for that.

I wasn't surprised that Lewis was so unfriendly towards me, but at least he did let me have these photos with him. I don't know if he was deliberately looking away on the second picture or had just got distracted?!

I did feel quite humiliated that he wouldn't even look at me and did his best to ignore the fact I was there, it felt a bit dehumanizing, especially seeing how friendly he was with everyone else, chatting to them and smiling on their photos.  But it was my own fault for putting myself in that situation, what did I expect to happen?!

I know I said it before, but now I really have learned my lesson and I definitely will not go to meet Lewis ever again. He's made it clear that he can't bear to even look at me, and now he will never have to again! I had bought a ticket to Prides' album launch in London (mainly because I thought a member of their team would be there who I wanted to thank, although it doesn't seem that he was) but after what happened at XFM I didn't go. I've heard all about it from my friend though and it sounds an interesting night to say the least..!

A few people have told me that they didn't buy Prides' album 'The Way Back Up' because of how the band had treated me.  It's so sweet that people care so much, but honestly, I don't want anyone changing their opinion of Prides because of me. They are a very talented band and I have never known of them to be unkind to any other fans.  So please don't stop being a Prides fan because of me.  If you read all my posts about the times I met Lewis in the past, you can see what a lovely person he really is and how he made me so happy for many months.  Back then, he always made such an effort to be kind to me and he did some special things for me and I will never forget that.

I actually did buy 'The Way Back Up' myself, which some people said I was crazy to do after what had happened.  But as I've said before, I still enjoy Prides' music and although I am yet to listen to the full album, I love the songs on it that I already I know and I'm sure I will like the others too.  Also, I wanted a copy of the 'fanified' poster and to get my name on it.  As I was Prides' 'number 1 fan' (their words not mine) for several months, it seemed only right that I should be a part of it!

Finally I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who read my last post, I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response I got, I have received kind messages from all over the world! Thank you all, I am so grateful and the kind words mean so much to me.  What happened with Prides in February and May did have a very negative effect on me and my mental health, but I feel much happier again now and I am moving on with my life in a positive way.  I guess that writing this post might seem like a negative backward step, but it helps me to deal with things by writing them and sharing them, and I wanted to finish my blog anyway as it felt incomplete.  I hope I am ending it on a more positive note than my previous post.

Thank you for reading and this really is my final post! No more 'Lewis Prides Fan', just me now. Goodbye!

Greer x

P.S.  Please check out my new blog! http://corvidlady.blogspot.co.uk/

Chloe Black

Since I saw Prides in London, I have become a huge fan of CHLØË BLACK, who was also supporting Kiesza that night as I wrote in an earlier post.

Now I listen to Chloe's music as much as I listen to Prides. I never thought I would love another artist so much, but Chloe has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard and her music is so captivating.

Chloe is such an amazing performer and singer. She is also a very nice person who is kind to her fans and spends a lot of time interacting on twitter and talking to fans at her shows.

When I met her at London she was so lovely and friendly, and it was one of the happiest moments of my life.

I think meeting Lewis and Chloe at the same time was actually the best thing that's ever happened to me!

I'm going to see Chloe again at Live At Leeds and Barn On the Farm festivals, which I am so excited about! I had this dress printed for when I see her at Leeds:

Chloe's '27 Club' EP and single are available now to buy. Here is the link for iTunes:-
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/27-club-ep/id971835400

I suggest you buy the EP so you also get her wonderful song 'Cruel Intentions' and a remix of '27 Club'.

I also recommend you watch the video for '27 Club'. It is the most beautiful video I have ever seen and is like a mini movie in itself:-

Chloe's newest song is 'Professional', which was inspired by the film 'Leon'. It is my very favourite of her songs; I especially love the lyrics 'Give me love or give me death'.
You can listen to 'Professional' here:-
https://soundcloud.com/chloeblackofficial/professional

To keep up to date with all Chloe Black's news:-

Sign up to Chloe's official mailing list via her website: http://www.chloeblack.com

Follow Chloe on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chloeblackmusic

Like Chloe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chloeblackmusic

Listen to Chloe on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/chloeblackofficial

Also make sure you check out Chloe's Instagram which she updates almost daily and has the most gorgeous pictures and video clips you will ever see:-
https://instagram.com/chloeblackmusic

Prides DJ Party, April 2015

This post is about the most amazing thing I've ever done...

I hired Prides to DJ at my friend, Tracey Faye's, 25th birthday party!

To be honest, when I first made email inquiries to try to arrange this, I never thought it would be possible. It was actually when I was in the queue to see Prides at Manchester last month that I got email confirmation that they'd agreed to do the party, it was the most incredible moment of my life!

My free time during the rest of the tour was spent getting the contract confirmed, which was not very easy when reliant on a slow hotel computer, and I had to go to an appointment at the bank wearing my tour clothes (a Prides sweater) but I managed to get it all done!

After the tour, the next week and a half of my life was spent planning the party and getting everything organised. I had to hire some very specific DJ equipment which I knew nothing about except what it was called, but a very helpful company got it all booked and arranged for me.

I even got a dress specially for the party. I don't usually wear dresses, but I wanted to fit in with everyone else and look the part, so I bought a plain black dress and had 'I heart Lewis Prides' printed on it.  The people at the printing shop remembered me from when I'd had my Lewis t-shirts made!

Tracey's party was on Saturday 4th April, but I went up to Glasgow on the Thursday beforehand to get everything ready. I wanted to keep Prides DJ'ing a secret from Tracey, so it would be a lovely surprise for her. Of course I had to tell her some things and that I was planning something big, in order for me to get everything in place, but I managed to keep the most important things a surprise.

Thursday was a fun day spent with Tracey and her friends in Glasgow.  I gave Tracey her birthday present, which was a triangle, because a while ago on Twitter, Prides said that she could be their triangle player! She said it was the best present ever!

Then on Friday I spent the day at Tracey's house, getting everything ready.  She was busy cleaning the house, while I was having a last minute panic about things getting stuck in closed depots and other such worries!

That evening we went to Asda to buy essentials for the party, ie lots of alcohol! Also I'd been asked to provide some specific stuff for Prides.

On Saturday, I got up early to go to Tracey's house. I couldn't believe the day was finally here! I was so stressed, expecting everything to go wrong. And in my heart, I already feared the worst, and the worst did happen.  But I was the only person upset by it, and as it was a party for Tracey, not me, the party was not ruined.

Basically, when I first had the plan to hire Prides, the main reason I wanted to do it was to make Tracey happy and to thank her for being there for me when I was at my lowest.  But I am not going to lie and make myself out to be some saintly character that I'm not. I was equally motivated by selfish reasons, I wanted to see Lewis DJ. Also, as I had caused a lot of stress to Prides in February, I thought that by hiring them and obviously paying them, it could maybe be a way to try to make things up to them. I know the money is a small amount to members of a famous band, but it was a lot to me, and I hoped they would see that I was trying to say sorry for what I'd done.

But I found out on the afternoon of the party that Lewis would not be DJ'ing. I had already suspected this would happen, as ten minutes after I arrived in Glasgow he tweeted that he was sick, so it was not a huge surprise, but it just broke me and I burst into tears. It was explained to me that Prides usually only DJ as a pair, so there was no guarantee Lewis would even have been there if he'd been well. But I was so devastated. I had spent several thousand, including the hiring of all the equipment. But I have only myself to blame. I knew the risks and craziness of spending so much money on a couple of hours. I just thought it would be once in a lifetime and would be so worth it.

Also, I am at fault because I did not check with the agency exactly which members of Prides would attend.  It had crossed my mind that I should do this, but I was trying to keep my correspondence with the agency professional sounding, so they wouldn't realise I was just a fan. They probably knew this anyway, and of course Prides knew who I am. I really should have checked and been less concerned about what people thought of me. That is something I can only learn from.

So please, do not think I am in any way criticising Prides or the agency for what happened. And I am certainly not criticising Lewis. It is not his fault he was ill, and I really hope he is ok now.

Once I got the news about Lewis, I had a complete meltdown.  It was then that there was a knock at the door and it was the delivery of all the DJ equipment.  So I had to meet the delivery driver in floods of tears which was really embarrassing, but he was really nice and it was all ok.

After that, the rest of the preparations went really well and everything fell into place. The marquee got assembled, the equipment was set up, people started arriving and everyone was so excited. I was really happy for Tracey and everyone, I just couldn't stop crying and I felt so bad because I didn't want to bring anyone else down.

Tracey and her friends were all so kind to me and tried to make me feel better. They are such lovely people. And I'd invited 3 of my own friends to the party; when they arrived they were all so sweet to me and looked after me. Such lovely kind people, I will never forget what any of them did for me.

We weren't sure what time exactly Prides would arrive, but we knew it would be sometime between 6.30 and 7.15pm. So me and my friends went out into the street to wait for them. And then a car drove round the corner and I could see Stewart and Callum, and it all felt so surreal. They both gave me a hug. Callum's lovely girlfriend, Claire, was with them and she gave me a hug and said she liked my dress. There was also someone else with them, Scott, who used to play bass in Lewis and Stewart's old band, Midnight Lion. I'd met him a couple of times before at gigs and festivals, but I'd never known who he was, although he had taken lovely photos of me with Lewis before!

Anyway, we went inside with Callum and Stewart, and I gave Tracey's friends the code word 'pug' so they knew to get Tracey downstairs. When she came downstairs and saw Stewart in her house, I think she nearly died of shock!! As soon as I saw her happy face, at that moment I knew it was all worthwhile, despite Lewis not being there.

Everyone went out into the garden and to the marquee and the party stated.  I went and hid upstairs and had a bit of a cry, but it was still lovely to look outside and see everyone having so much fun! My friends kept trying to get me to come and join them, nobody wanted me to be left out, but it was difficult for me. I was so happy to see everyone else so happy, and it was so amazing to have 2 members of my favourite band there and to know that it was because of me that they were there! But I just couldn't get past the fact that Lewis wasn't there. Any of you who've read my blog, will know how much he means to me. This should have been the best night of my life, but it was the opposite and I didn't think I'd be able to get over it.

Later, I did go down to the party for a bit, and it was lovely to see Stewart and Callum DJ'ing.

Then they played a song by Foster The People, and my heart broke. The second time I ever met Lewis was when Prides supported Foster The People at Manchester, and it was one of the best times I ever had with Lewis. I had stood with him for most of Foster The People's set, and we'd spent so much time talking. So it was all too much, and I went back upstairs again. The next song that came on was a song that Lewis had tweeted about liking recently, so that made me cry even more.

Then one of my friends came upstairs and she stayed up there with me for like half an hour. I felt so bad that she was missing the party because of me, but she was so kind and just wanted to make sure I was ok. Sophie if you read this, I will never forget you were there for me.

We did go back down eventually and it was fun.  Tracey's friends kept trying to get me to dance, and it was so sweet of them, I just didn't feel like it though. Then Callum's girlfriend, Claire, came over to me and gave me a hug. She asked if I wanted to talk and we went inside and she was so kind to me. I won't repeat a private conversation, but she said some really nice things, and the fact that the girlfriend of a member of my favourite band would take the time to care about me and look after me, it means the world. Then we went back to the marquee and Callum came over to talk to me and he gave me lots of hugs and he said some nice things too.

Shannon and Callum

Claire and Callum

Me with Claire and Callum

Me with Claire and Callum (and Stewart and Scott photobomb!)

Then I was sitting by myself, and Scott came over to talk to me.  He was really kind too and reassured me, and I found it really easy to talk to him about stuff like my mental health problems. He gave me some really good advice and was really nice and understanding and it meant so much to me.

I actually am so overwhelmed by the kindness of so many people at the party, I don't think I have ever felt so loved and appreciated by so many people in all my life.

And most importantly, Tracey was having the time of her life! It made my heart so happy to see her dancing and smiling so much and having the party of her dreams!

And it was so lovely to see everyone there having such a lovely time. So many people said to me it was the best party ever, which it was!

Here are a few short videos I filmed of the party...

When it was time for Prides to finish DJ'ing, Stewart made a speech and wished Tracey a happy birthday. He thanked me too, which was nice. Then Tracey got everyone to chant 'we love Greer' and it was so sweet and meant so much to me.

I videoed this speech too...

I got a photo with Stewart before he left.

And I said goodbye to Callum and thanked him for always being so kind to me. He said 'I always am', which is true, he was really nice to me on the recent tour when I felt so nervous about everything.

I had bought Easter eggs for all of Prides. Tracey had given Callum and Stewart theirs, and I gave Lewis' egg to them to give to him. Unfortunately I was unable to get him his favourite chocolate, but I hope he liked it anyway.

The night didn't end there. Several of us went on to O2 ABC for the club night there, which was good and I enjoyed the music and had fun with Tracey and friends.

We spent most of the evening in the upstairs room, then I noticed a man wearing a certain very distinctive hat and it was Callum! Tracey went and said hi to him and he said we could come and drink with him and Stewart! I thanked him for being so kind to me again and asked if I could be 'Callum Prides Fan' now and he said yes! I'm not really going to be though, I love Callum so much, he really is a genuinely kind person, but Lewis will always be my idol.

So Tracey and I went to the downstairs room, and Stewart was there and so was lovely Emily and Claire, and it was so nice to see them all.

I didn't try to drink with them though or anything. I don't think that would be appropriate. I'm just a fangirl, I'm not trying to be friends with anyone, and I think if you see your favourite band in their private time, it's lovely if they say hi and let you have a photo, but you have to know and respect the boundaries.

I must say, when I heard we were going out in Glasgow, my first thought was, I hope Neil from The Wild Curve is there, and yes he was! Always so lovely to see him, he is the nicest guy ever! He asked me if I was ok and I was like no! I told him what had happened and he was so nice about it all, and gave me a hug.

And much to my happiness, someone else very lovely was there, Alice Bentley who I saw support Prides in Inverness on their February headline tour.  I couldn't believe that she actually recognised me! She gave me a hug and she said it was so nice to actually meet me this time! She is lovely and beautiful and such a sweet kind person, I was so excited to get to talk to her!

And then I couldn't believe it, there was KLOË too! She gave me a hug and I said it made my night to see her and she said it made hers to see me! She is so lovely and so stunning and it was so exciting to meet her again!

So I think everyone I love from the Glasgow music scene was in that room, except Kieran from The WildCurve and of course Lewis!

Tracey had a nice time too. We stayed till nearly the end of the night and I said goodbye to Callum and Stewart and thanked them again for the party.

As we were leaving we saw Neil and Alice again! I had another chat with them, and I thanked Alice for still following me on twitter despite some recent things, and she was so kind and understanding about it all. Neil gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and I asked him to release my favourite Wild Curve song 'Foreverever' and he said they will do. I ask him this every time I see him and I tweet it to Kieran all the time too! I just need those trumpets in my life!

Then me and Tracey left, and waited for a taxi at what we thought was a taxi rank but was actually a disabled parking bay! But we got home eventually, tired and emotional but we'd had an amazing time!

Although the party was not what I'd hoped for, and for me personally, it was the biggest and most expensive disappointment of my life, I am still glad it happened. I am so happy that I made my best friend and other friends and so many Prides fans happy. I also heard that Callum and Stewart enjoyed the party too, and that makes me happy.  The money was a lot, but it's gone now, and it brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people. What more could I hope to achieve? And I do have fond memories and I spoke to so many lovely people, and it was such a big event that I managed to organise, so I do feel quite proud of that.

London, March 2015

The 34th time I met Lewis was at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on Tuesday 24th March 2015.

This was the fifth date of Prides UK tour supporting Kiesza.

I got to the venue at just after 1pm to queue. I thought I was going to have a long lonely wait by myself, but soon afterwards a fan of Kiesza arrived and I spent the afternoon talking to him.  He felt sorry for me because I was so cold (and inadequately dressed because I'm an idiot) and he offered me his coat. I wore it all afternoon and it made such a difference. It was really kind of him. Thank you Andy, if you ever read this.

While we were queuing, something really exciting happened! Ljuba was walking past and she came over to say hi to me and Andy! She knew him from other times he'd seen Kiesza and she actually remembered me from Glasgow! I couldn't believe it! I got a photo with her and she stayed outside to talk to us for ages.

She is such a lovely friendly person and so beautiful! I told her I'd been to the whole tour and that I was a really big fan of Prides and I asked if she'd spent much time with them yet. But she said because of their busy schedule and sound check times they kept missing each other. I told her how much I like Lewis and she said she liked listening to him drumming because he hits the drums so hard and is so loud.  She said she was going to speak to him today.  I asked if it would be possible for me to have a photo with her and Lewis, and she said she'd ask him! I was so happy!

A while later Prides arrived. They got out of a car and I said hi Lewis and he said hi Greer and gave me a wave! He really is the kindest loveliest person ever, it's moments like that which make my life!

Although I was queuing for such a long time, it was fun! I made friends with other fans and I met some people who knew people I knew and they were lovely.  There were several fans who travel round the country to meet their favourites, like I do, which was really nice. Also, my lovely friends from Czech were there too, I was so happy to see them again! So the time actually passed really quickly.

Tracey Faye had travelled all the way from Glasgow that day. She joined me in the queue just after 6pm. I was so happy to be reunited with her again!

We got to the front centre barrier inside the venue and we were so excited!

Tonight there was an extra support act, Chloe Black. I had never heard any of Chloe's music before and I didn't know what to expect. She was absolutely amazing! She has a very beautiful voice and her songs are so lovely. She is also quite possibly the most beautiful person I have ever seen.  She has the most stunning figure ever and the most amazing hair and beautiful eyes. She is a goddess!

After she played she came to the front barrier to talk to fans. I got a photo with her and she was so lovely.

Then it was nearly time for Prides, so me and Tracey put our glow sticks on and were feeling very excited!

Prides were absolutely awesome and it was one of my favourite times of seeing them! Lewis looked even more handsome than ever and was doing the most gorgeous drumface and his arm moves and I love him so much! He really is a god!

It was really nice during the gig when Stewart saw Tracey and he smiled at her. That made her night!

After they'd played, me and Tracey headed to the back of the venue, where we met Mel, who I knew from online! She is so lovely and it was so wonderful to meet her in person at last!

Mel writes a lovely blog, please check it out here: https://melsjukebox.wordpress.com/

I really enjoyed watching Kiesza again. Although we were at the back of the venue, I found there was a brilliant view from the bar, so I got to see lovely Ljuba dancing which made me very happy! She really is the most amazing dancer I have ever seen! And even when I couldn't see so well, I was just enjoying myself dancing in the corner of the venue! By now I had got to know Kiesza's songs and I really liked them, and there was such a happy atmosphere!

After Kiesza had finished, Prides came to the merchandise stand.  Lewis gave me a hug and it was the happiest moment of the whole tour for me!! It made my life!! I asked him if he'd met Ljuba and he said yes and that she'd told him I wanted a photo and he said he'd make sure we got one tomorrow. (Unfortunately however the Nottingham gig got cancelled so I never got the photo, but it doesn't matter cos I'm just so happy that they both had agreed to it!)

I did get a lovely photo with Lewis, which is one of my favourites from the tour.

Tracey spent a lot of time talking to Stewart and he gave her a hug and 2 kisses on the cheek, which made her very happy!

I got a great photo of Tracey and Stewart posing!

Ally was there and he gave me a hug and high five, which made me so happy! He is so lovely and it was really nice to see him again!

I got a photo with one of my lovely friends Zdeňka, from the Czech Republic!

Then me, Tracey and Mel got a funny photo with Lewis! After we'd had it taken he said that was a lovely one!

Then I saw Chloe Black had come out to meet fans again, so I got a photo with her and some of my friends from the queue, Ash, Natalie, and Becky.

Then Chloe attempted to belly bump Lewis! But neither of them have beer bellies so it looked a bit weird, but that doesn't matter because they are the 2 most beautiful people in the whole world!

I got a lovely photo with Lewis and Chloe, which made my life! They are both so gorgeous and lovely and this is one of my favourite photos ever! I felt like I'd had my photo taken with a real life god and goddess!!

Then it was time for us to leave the venue, and Tracey sang Prides songs all the way back to our hotel! I think this was my favourite night ever of seeing Prides, it was so much fun!