Interview: The Celebrations In Lotto HQ

Music
21 Sep 18

An inside look at Lotto HQ with the band that never sleeps and how you can be in with a chance of getting to see them.

Not many bands who play the same cover of the same song over and over (you guessed it, 'Celebration') can have the kind of longevity The Celebrations have had. With a career spanning 30 years, they've played for so many Lotto winners that they've lost count. Frontman Phil "not that one" Collins discusses the bands gruelling schedule.

“Look, we’ve always been a busy band, and we’re honestly happy for the winners, but
there’s just so many coming through the doors these days. Like you think you’re going to get
a ve-minute break to have a quick rice cake orsomething and then the winners’ siren goes off. It’s relentless.”

The band reside for the most part in their green room in Lotto HQ, which looks more like a glorified storage room than anything else. It's the polar opposite to the extravagant Lotto winners room which has been the bands main venue for their entire career. Between performances they try to relax.Empty cans of the heavily caffeinated ‘Energy Power’ lie strewn across the coffee table and in the bins; evidence that the musicians are doing whatever they can to keep going.

Seeing them live is an experience to say the least. With rhythm section Jerry 'no strings' Johnson on bass and Kim Ni Quattro whose punk sensibilities seem at odds with the office setting of the band, their set (which again, consists of one song), sounds more like "when will this end?" instead of "Celebration".

Most surprising is the band’s decision to still feature a keytar in their set. Maybe it’s an attempt to hold on to their glory days, but while Keytar Karl shows skill on the digital ivories, his lack of stage presence makes one think he’d be better off having a nice sit behind a regular, stationary keyboard. The musician explains:

“I used to be known for having the fastest ngersin Ireland, but the digits have gone a bit gammy now from all the playing. I have to wear a velcro dickie bow now due to severe loss of dexterity. It’s actually quite serious.”

So, what does the future hold for The Celebrations? Kim takes a rare break to comment:

"We're honestly delighted for the winners but there's so many coming through the doors these days"

You can catch The Celebrations at Lotto HQ on Abbey Street. But they don’t just play for anyone. For your chance to see them, pick up a Lotto with NEW Lotto Plus ticket.The latest Lotto Plus game change means even more winners and more millionaires than ever, so it could be you watching them live in the winners’ room.