Tag: The Duchess

Tap Talk – In Conversation with John Keenan: Leeds Kirkgate Market [23.7.21]

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Artist: John Keenan

Interviewer: Amanda Burns

Venue: Leeds Kirkgate Market

Date: 23.7.21

The Duchess is back (in spirit and pop-up form).

Leeds Kirkgate Market temporarily played host to a mini ‘pop-up’ pub in tribute to the legendary Leeds venue; The Duchess.

Artist, Amanda Burns hosted a conversation with John Keenan – recollecting tales of his days as the band promoter for Leeds’ much loved and lost music venue.

The Duchess was at the heart of my formative gig-going years. Back in the late 80s and early 90s you rarely needed a ticket for a Duchess gig. We’d check out the monthly flyers which acted as a who’s who of up and coming bands, simply queue outside the venue on Vicar Lane and pay a few quid on the door to get in. If there was a buzz about a band it would be packed to the rafters and support acts often became superstars.

Shoppers in the Hugo Boss store that now occupies the site may be catwalk savvy but they’re probably oblivious of the footsteps in which they walk. One day there’ll be a blue heritage plaque to recognise the importance of what went before.

112. Naomi / Dragster: The Duchess, Leeds [1.7.98]

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Artist: Naomi

Support: Dragster

Venue: The Duchess of York, Leeds

Date: 1.7.98

This was the last gig I attended at the legendary Leeds venue. Following the demise of The Duchess there was a void of equally intimate live venues on the Leeds music scene for a number of years. As we neared the Millennium, the building was converted into a Hugo Boss store. A sad sign of the times, as bands were replaced by brands.

076. Supergrass / The Bluetones: The Duchess, Leeds [25.2.95]

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Artist: Supergrass

Support: The Bluetones

Venue: The Duchess of York, Leeds

Date: 25.2.95

At the time, Supergrass and The Bluetones were making their names on the Britpop scene. Both bands attracted something of a 90s mod revival following. The Bluetones played a great support slot, after which roughly a third of the audience left. Those who stayed did so wisely and saw an excellent (very loud) set from Supergrass, who would excel to stardom over subsequent years. No ticket stub for this gig, as in those days you could still queue and pay a few quid on the door.