Coyne of The Realm

In photographic terms, this is probably my Greatest Hit. It was taken on July 13, 2003, while Wayne Coyne was hanging out backstage at the Witnness Festival, Punchestown. About an hour later, he would take to the stage with The Flaming Lips, deputising for The White Stripes, who were recuperating back home.

Coyne had the demeanour of a trainee cult leader, with the inscrutable smile, the crisp jacket and the ecliptic sentences. He was also rather keen to sample the pint of stout in the bottom left of the frame. But he patiently held on until some media people got their moment and this amateur snapper stole an off-duty shot.

It was an almighty show, dosed with wonder and magic and impeccable tunes. Wayne pumped up the huge balloons, bombed us with confetti and poured fake blood over his head. He sang 'Seven Nation Army' and a barmy song about a fibre optic Jesus. Some media pals and even Neil Hannon were dancing on stage, dressed in furry costumes. It was a perfect ceremony.

Three years later when Rigsy was interviewing Wayne for ATL, I got him to autograph my photo. He looked at it for a moment, announced that his wife would really like it, and put his name beside a drawing of a grinning sun. I was elated, and I will be equally joyous when he headlines Belsonic, Custom House Square, August 11.