What's on your rider?A make-up mirror and decent lighting is the most important thing to a queen like me. If I can get some Carlsberg, some water and some gum as well, all the better. I should put eyelash glue on my rider; I can never find mine.
What would be on your fantasy rider?A MAC counter, a mixologist and a great DJ.
What's your pre-gig ritual/ routine?I start by shaving twice, all the way down to the waistline, a shower, and then 40 minutes of warpaint to create my drag illusion. Then I do the set list, have a pint and sing along to the radio, often changing the lyrics to super-childish, off-colour rhymes, much to the amusement of my ever-present tranny mates.
What's the best gig you've been to?Scissor Sisters at the Olympia, at the start of their Night Work Tour. I just adore them, I'm completely in love with Ana Matronic – she knows how to host a party and if you want to kick up your heels and throw a few gay shapes, you can't get a better band.
And the worst?I once very foolishly surprised Westlife during their Uptown Girl routine, on stage in The Point Theatre. I got a very frosty reception from all of them apart from Brian McFadden, who kept me on stage till the end of the song and rewarded me with a kiss. Even now, I'm scarlet thinking about it.
Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?There have been quite a few over the years, but I'll go with Morrissey. He's been to my show in The George a few times. I'd be lying if I said it didn't rattle my nerves – performing for your idols is mind-blowing.
What's your crowd-pleasing number?Spanish Train by Chris De Burgh has kept me in good grace over the years. I won the Alternative Miss Ireland in 1999 performing that song and one of my own, Supermarche.
Groupies. Would you?No, not anymore. I'm head-over-high-heels in love.
Have you a special stage wardrobe?Have I what? Yes, two wardrobes and a trunk full of custom-made tranny wear and various vintage pieces.
Do you like to meet and greet fans after the gig?Love to. I always pose for lots of photos, it's part of the gig as far as I'm concerned. I'd really have to be in a pretty bad mood to shy away.
Any useful stage tips?Don't move around too much – it makes you hard to light, and after you've trotted around a few times, there's really nowhere left to go. Make it count, one or two walks per track. When in doubt, swing that mic around like a crazy person, but be sure to practice first or you might take someone out.
What's the worst thing ever thrown at you?I find money particularly offensive.
Who's invited to your aftershow party?My boyfriend, my dog, my family and all the camp kids. I love to have banter and a camp laugh after a show.
What's your best tour story?I did a few shows with Scissor Sisters in big venues. Being a Dubliner, I was hyper-excited and of course invited way too many people. It was Christmas, so everyone wanted to party.
After one show there was a drinks party happening and I was up and down the stairs countless times smuggling “guests” into the party.
Security were annoyed by my bad behavior, and one of them was getting quite shirty with me when Colin Farrell rocked up. He put the security gent in his place for a homophobic term he had used and he ushered me and my friends into the party.
Not only that, he pinched my bum as I passed! Sadly, I was wearing foam-padded knickers so I couldn’t quite feel it.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea. Veda plays The George in Dublin on Wednesday
