Bronagh Gallagher
What’s on your rider? Honey, throat tea, propolis lozenges and Ryan Gosling.
What would be on your fantasy rider?
Michael Fassbender and Ryan Gosling.
What’s the best gig you’ve been to?
I’ve seen a lot of shows that have blown my mind, but my mates Duchess and Steve Iredale gave me a ticket to Led Zeppelin in The 02 in London and that blew my head apart. Jimmy Page was a wonder to behold and Jason Bonham was his own man. Stunning gig.
And the worst?
My own last night.
What are your favourite and least favourite venues?
Favourites are the Royal Albert Hall in London, Largo in LA, and The Playhouse in Derry – that’s a beautiful old convent building I used to sing in as a child. Now it’s been completely rebuilt and restored and it’s the most beautiful theatre! Love it. Least favourite? Ah, it’s not fair to say, as I’m sure the owners think it’s great. I guess it’s more to do with sound being bad that makes a venue unpopular to me.
Who is the most famous person to show up at one of your gigs?
There are hordes of them always trying to get backstage for advice. I’m like, lads, please, find your own way. Hah-ha!
What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a gig ticket?
£50 to see Sly Stone in London about seven years ago? I didn’t know anyone who could sneak me in, but I just had to see him. Insane it was! He only showed at the last minute out of nowhere on stage, unbeknownst to his own band, who had announced that he would not be showing up and began playing without him! There was a few of the original Family Stone, and Sly – he played for maybe 25 minutes, and then he disappeared again.But he was fantastic.
Chatting between songs – good or bad?
I watched old footage of Patrick Kavanagh recently and he said, “The self is only interesting as an illustration”, so if you’re good at banter do it. But people are there to be entertained, not to hear you bang on about how great you are or how hard it’s been. Just play the music, man.
Groupies. Would you?
Please, I’m a professional! (Er, where are they?)
Any useful stage tips?
Yes — make sure the band are on it!
What’s the worst thing ever thrown at you?
My bar bill.
* In conversation with TONY CLAYTON-LEA. Bronagh Gallagher plays Limerick on Thursday
