What's on your rider?Sandwiches, water, hummus, celery, chocolate.
What would be on your fantasy rider?Champagne and roses from Brad Pitt.
What's your pre-gig ritual/ routine?Warm up and then make-up.
What's the best gig you've been to?Ella Fitzgerald and Nelson Riddle – it blew my mind.
And the worst?Two eejits who I sang backing vocals for once. They stuffed socks in their pants.
What are your favourite venues?I love old beat-up music halls.
Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?Paul Buchanan from the Blue Nile.
Most embarrassing on-stage moment?Saying it's great to be in France . . . when I was in Belgium. I was very nervous is my excuse.
What's your crowd-pleasing number?An a capella version of Clare.
What's the most you've ever paid for a gig ticket?£200 to see Ella and Nelson. I earned the money by busking.
Chatting between songs – good or bad?Good because we are communicating. And it helps audiences to get the song.
Groupies. Would you?I am not telling on my 18-28 year old self.
How many roadies does it take to change your lightbulbs (ie, how big is your entourage)?We don't have any roadies.
Have you a special stage wardrobe?Yes, one lucky tour dress, black and sparkly.
Any useful stage tips?Don't fall off.
What's the worst thing ever thrown at you?"The bass is too loud!"
If you could be in any other band, which one?The Chick Webb Orchestra.
Who's invited to your aftershow party?Friends and family who've been to the gig.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea. Eddi Reader plays Blanchardstown, Dublin on Monday; Ennis, Co Clare on Tuesday; and Cork on Wednesday
