Brixton Video Shoot, October 2014

The ninth time I met Lewis was when Prides did a video shoot for Microsoft Lumia and invited fans to appear as extras in the video.

The video shoot took place at the Hootananny in Brixton on Wednesday 1st October 2014. When I got there I felt very nervous, as I'd never been to anything like that before and didn't know what to expect. I was sitting outside with the other fan extras, and then Prides came out of the venue to chat with us all. They were standing there and then Lewis smiled at me and I stopped feeling so nervous then. After they'd spent time with other fans, all of Prides came to say hi to me and they each gave me a hug. They were all so nice to me, and I got a lovely photo with Lewis.

Inside it was set up as if we were actually at a gig, Prides were on stage with their instruments. We spent the whole afternoon with Prides playing 'Messiah' again and again, while various different shots were filmed of the crowd and band. I got my hair styled by one of the crew and she actually made it look nice for once. Then she went to do Lewis' hair, and it was exciting to think that I'd had my hair done by the same person as my idol!

It was such an amazing afternoon; imagine getting to watch your favourite band on stage for 5 hours and getting to meet them too! It was my idea of heaven, I never wanted it to end. There was one scene where Lewis had to throw a drum stick for someone to catch; that was my favourite part of the whole thing.

After we'd finished filming, I waited outside to say goodbye to Lewis and I got another photo with him. It was the best afternoon ever of my life!

The finished video turned out really well. You can watch it here:

Underground Festival, September 2014

The eighth time I met Lewis was at Underground Festival on Saturday 27th September 2014.

I met Lewis after he'd arrived at the venue, he waved at me and said hi Greer. Then he went to carry his drum kit inside.  There was an exciting moment when he was standing in front of me lifting equipment up onto the stage, he is so strong!

This was one of my favourite times I saw Prides live, they were so amazing. I think it was the first time I saw them play 'Little Danger', which is now one of my favourite songs of theirs.

I waited to try to meet Lewis after Prides' set, but sadly I was in the wrong place. Time passed, and then I got a tweet from Callum saying they'd already left the venue. So no photo with Lewis this time, but still lots of lovely memories.

Southsea Festival, September 2014

The seventh time I met Lewis was at Southsea music festival on Saturday 20th September 2014.

Prides were playing in Little Johnny Russells, which was a nice intimate venue. I saw Lewis when he arrived and got to quickly say hello. Then later I was standing by the stage and someone walked past me and said hi Greer, and I looked round and it was Lewis! That was a lovely surprise!

Prides were brilliant and the crowd were really enjoying them, but unfortunately their set was cut short.  Although they weren't on for as long as planned, the songs they did play sounded perfect and they were by far the best band I saw at the festival.

After their set, I went to wait outside the venue to try to get a photo with Lewis.  He was busy loading his drum kit into the van, but he kindly took the time to talk to me and some other fans. I asked him to sign my arm so I could get his signature tattooed on me, but he said he wouldn't because he didn't want to be responsible for me getting something done for life. At the time I was upset because I really wanted a Lewis tattoo (also I was very drunk!) but actually I think it was really nice that he cared enough to not want me to have something done that I might later regret.  He said he'd sign anything else I wanted, so I asked him to re-sign my Prides t-shirt (he'd already signed it at Leeds festival but it had faded in the wash).

I got a lovely photo with Lewis and I have such nice memories of my trip to Portsmouth!

Bingley Music Live, August 2014

The sixth time I met Lewis was at Bingley Music Live festival on Friday August 29th 2014.

Before Prides' set, I could see Lewis walking around the backstage area and he waved at me.

Prides did an amazing performance and Lewis' drumming was so brilliant, as always!

Afterwards, there were lots of us fans waiting to try to meet Prides. Although it was raining, they kindly came to the barrier so we could all get to talk to them. Lewis said hi Greer and I got another nice rainy day photo with him.

Then Prides went back to their backstage area, and before they left the festival, Lewis waved goodbye to me.

Leeds Festival, August 2014

The fifth time I met Lewis was at Leeds Festival on Friday 22nd August 2014.

I saw Lewis when he first arrived at the stage and he waved at me, which made me so happy!

Prides were headlining the BBC Introducing Stage, and they were so brilliant! There was a big crowd already gathered to see them, and more people, who had just been walking past the stage, stopped to watch them after hearing how amazing they were.

After their set, Prides came to meet fans at the stage barrier. I had a really nice chat with Lewis and got another photo with him for my collection. He asked me what bands I've seen that day and I couldn't remember what any of them were called, all I could think about was that my idol was talking to me!

Y Not Festival, August 2014

The fourth time I met Lewis was at Y Not festival on Saturday 2nd August 2014.

There was such heavy rain that Prides had to move their equipment further back on the stage to prevent it from getting wet, but they still did such an amazing performance and cheered up the gloomy day!

Afterwards, the nicest thing happened. Even though it was like the worst rain ever, Lewis very kindly came to the backstage entrance so I could get a photo with him and he stayed to chat with me for a bit. He said I'd got all-weather photos with him now!

Wickerman Festival, July 2014

The third time I met Lewis was at Wickerman music festival on Friday 25th July 2014.

Prides had just played an amazing set, and as they were leaving the stage I called out to Lewis and asked if I could meet him. He pointed to the side of the stage, so I went and waited over in that direction, and soon he appeared. He'd come out from backstage just to meet me, how kind was that!

He gave me a hug and said hi Greer and I was so happy that he remembered my name. I got a selfie photo with him and he stayed to chat with me for a bit, which was really lovely and made my day! Then he went backstage to record a session.

Later, I saw all of Prides walking around the festival together. I went to say hello and they were all really nice to me and I got another photo with Lewis.  It was a perfect end to such a wonderful day!