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Duchess Says canceled Hopscotch Fest appearance, but are playing other US shows (Public Assembly included)

by Bill Pearis

Duchess Says at BVSXSW 2010 (more by Tim Griffin)
Duchess Says

If you’re looking to put a little excitement into your showgoing life, you might want to hit Public Assembly on Thursday, August 23 to catch Montreal electropunks Duchess Says who are playing with Minneapolis’ The Blind Shake (who also play Brookyn Fireproof the day before [8/22]). Advance tickets for the Public Assembly show are on sale.

Going to see Duchess Says is an interactive experience, due entirely to firebrand singer Annie-Claude whose onstage persona recalls Linda Blair in The Exorcist… in a fun way, and minus the vomit. Duchess Says’ appearance at Pianos during CMJ 2009 (and Austin during SXSW 2010) are amongst the most memorable BV festival day show performances I’ve personally witnessed:

Another set I knew would be fun was Montreal’s Duchess Says who played one of our CMJ day parties last year. While their more aggressive take on Devo-style protopunk is fun, it’s all about singer Annie Claude who looks very cute and innocent… until the music starts. She shrieks, jumps in the audience, tackles people, pulls them to the floor, and causes general mayhem. It’s more mischief than menace though. There are lots of other singers who do similar things, but never anything quite like her. After you’ve seen them once, part of the fun is watching other people experience them for the first time.

The band were supposed to have been in the States for the Hopscotch Festival but have since pulled out of that but will also play Chicago on August 26 at City Build with The Blind Shake. The band’s latest album is In a Fung Day T, which came out last fall, which you can stream via a Spotify player below, along with a list of all The Blind Shake dates.

The Blind Shake — 2012 Tour Dates
Sunday, August 19 Minneapolis, MN Hexagon Bar
Wednesday, August 22 Brooklyn, NY Fireproof
Thursday, August 23 Brooklyn, NY Public Assembly w/ Duchess Says
Friday, August 24 Columbus OH Double Happiness
Sunday, August 26 Chicago, IL Citybuild w/ Duchess Says
Monday, August 27 Detroit MI Lager House
Tuesday, August 28 Toronto ON Lee’s Palace
Wednesday, August 29 Dekcuf Ottawa
Saturday, September 22 Minneapolis Ritz Theater
Friday, September 28 Nashville TN The End
Sunday, September 30 New Orleans LA Siberia
Tuesday, October 2 Pensacola FL Sluggo’s
Wednesday, October 3 Orlando FL Will’s Pub
Thursday, October 4 Tampa FL The Hub
Friday, October 5 Tallahassee Fl Club Down Under
Saturday, October 6 Atlanta GA E.A.R.L.
Sunday, October 7 Raleigh NC King’s
Monday, October 8 Richmond VA Strange Matter
Wednesday, October 10 New York NY Cake Shop
Thursday, October 11 Brooklyn NY Death By Audio
Friday, October 12 Bridgeport CT
Saturday, October 13 Providence RI
Tuesday, October 16 Moncton NS Plan B
Thursday, October 18 Halifax Pop Explosion Halifax NS
Friday, October 19 Quebec City QC L’Agitee
Saturday, October 20 Ottawa ON
Sunday, October 21 Toronto ON Parts and Labour
Monday, October, 22 Detroit MI Lager House
Tuesday, October 23 Milwaukee WI Cactus Club
Wednesday, October 31 Chicago IL Empty Bottle w/ Football, Outerminds, Paul Cary
Thursday, November 1 St. Louis MO
Saturday, Novermber 3 Austin TX Fun Fun Fun After Party