Sarah Cracknell of St Etienne
What's on your rider?Champagne and lots of it!
What would be on your fantasy rider?More Champagne and Mint Cracknels.
What's your pre-gig ritual/ routine?A big lunch; steak normally.
How do you get to the gig – limo, taxi, walking?Normally I get there in a taxi. A limo is a bit too obvious and may cause a commotion. To walk would be foolhardy.
What's the best gig you've been to?I used to love going to Felt gigs a long, long time ago. A whole gang of us used to travel from Windsor to wherever they were playing. I remember Brighton being particularly good. They were my favourite band at the time, but it was also a lot to do with the people I was with.
And the worst?I try to avoid going to see crappy bands.
What are your favourite and least favourite venues?Love playing The Fillmore in San Francisco. Hate toilets!
Most embarrassing on-stage moment?Once I said goodnight and left the stage halfway through a song, thinking it was the end. Luckily I realised, and hadn't caught a cab back to the hotel!
Groupies. Would you?Never have, never would. They only fancy you 'cos you're in a band, anyway. Get a life!
How many roadies does it take to change your lightbulbs (ie, how big is your entourage)?We keep it pretty small, and have a loyal team of lovely people. Especially Pep, who has been with us for 18 years!
Have you a special stage wardrobe?Sometimes I manage a costume change, and I always have a number of feather boas in my bag.
Any useful stage tips?Don't fall down a hole like I did in Sweden!
What's the worst thing ever thrown at you?A champagne flute. It smashed on my head. Silly toff!
Who's invited to your aftershow party?I don't know, I never make it myself.
What's your best tour story?Losing a backing singer called Siobhan after a gig in Athens. She woke up in a park underneath a statue being guarded by a pack of wild dogs.
- In conversation with TONY CLAYTON-LEA. St Etienne play Kilkenny on Saturday
