Summer’s approaching. And courtesy of maximumpop.co.uk this one is going to be your best one ever, guaranteed. Over the next 5 weeks, we’ll be creating indispensable idiot-proof guides on how to spend your summer months – all wildly exciting, all new, and not a single moment of thumb twiddling or hiding in your bedroom. We’ve even roped in some of our pop star friends and favourite websites to share their ideas too. Week 1 – let’s meet a pop star.
MEET A POP STAR
This week we’re going to make your life better and grow your social circle quicker than a lottery winners by getting you to hang out with pop stars. You, pop stars, Best Summer Ever.
READ THIS FIRST
Before you get carried away pay attention to the following sentence: meeting pop stars is meant to be about fun, not restraining orders – so be respectful and try not to break any laws.
LOCATE THE POP STAR
Find out where they’re going to be. This isn’t using Google Maps to find their mum’s house – but looking for places they’re visiting on the promotional circuit where they’re likely to be open to chatting to you without calling the police. Places it’s okay to meet pop stars include CD signings, outside TV studios, outside radio studios, before and after gigs and film premieres. To find details of these events you can follow the act on twitter or check their events page on their Facebook or website. You can also follow twitter accounts dedicated to pop star whereabouts, like our friends @cravengossip. Diary still not full? Check the HMV signings web page, and our very own Pop Diary events calendar which is comprehensive, easy to use, and of course we’re saying that ‘cos we made it.
BE PREPARED
Meeting pop stars is tiring work and will inevitably involve hanging around, waiting patiently and screaming. Make sure you take the things you’ll need like water and food to stay alive, pen and paper for an autograph, charged camera for a photo. Gift givers who want to be both generous and loved should take food such as cookies or sweets being on the road is hungry work. Guaranteed to get a thumbs up.
ASK NICELY
When the moment to meet the pop star arrives you’ll want to shake, scream and soil yourself. Don’t. Pop stars are just like you and me, if you and me had actual talent and good looks. Approach politely and smile. Ask nicely for a photo. Don’t expect an extended chitchat or a heart to heart about the hidden lyrical meaning of their most recent number 1 but if you think there will be time to ask a question, think of it before to prevent an awkward extended silence. Take the photo, ask for a kiss, get the signature – in the order most important to you – and then bugger off home more happy than you’ve ever been before. Don’t be a nuisance – respect the band and other fans and they will respect you.
GO HOME
So you told Niall from One Direction that you love his new teeth, or got Cover Drive to perform their cover of Jessie J. Great. This is the moment that normal people behave normally and leave, and the mental people set up a tent or tracking device of some sort. Be one of the normal ones.
OTHER OPTIONS
If you can’t meet a pop star at the events above, there are other environments and ways you can get closer. TV show tapings, video extras and even fan mail are all great ways to get closer to your favourite act.
- Register for shows here.
- Get pop star autographs by following our guide on how to write and post fan mail and, importantly, how to get a reply.
Square-fringed pop star Bianca from Parade took time out of her busy schedule to share her experiences of meeting fans and signing floor tiles:
You’re famous. How do fans normally approach you for an autograph?
It depends. Normally girls just go ‘you’re in parade, can I have a picture?’ but sometimes we get some that are much quieter.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
Any gift from a fan is so lovely to receive but they are always particularly special if they have been made because it means a lot of time and effort has gone in to making it.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
There isn’t one, so far all our gifts from fans have been really nice.
Any funny stories or reactions?
We got asked to sign a floor tile once which was a bit strange. Lol.
Ever been worried about your safety?
Sometimes things can get really manic and slightly out of control but I don’t think we’ve ever been worried about safety because we normally have a TM keeping a close eye on us!
How would you most like fans to approach you?
Just to be themselves. We don’t bite and it’s always so nice to meet the fans and have a chat, so don’t be afraid to come over and say hi!
Have your Best Summer Ever in another time zone. The Camp Rock experience is within your grasp with Camp America Summer Camps which are open to Brits like you. Just ONE DAY could include rock climbing, horse riding, banana boating, go karting, music lessons, camp fires, parties and talent shows. And if you’re very lucky you might even get some time to rest. Request a free brochure here and present it to your parents with a smile.
MP!’s Best Summer Ever is sponsored by Camp America Summer Camps 
