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Robyn Gives First Look at U.S. Tour

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Robyn has just come off the biggest 12 months of her 17-year career: Her Body Talk album cracked just about every best-of list, while her smash single “Dancing on My Own” earned her a Grammy nod. The Swedish pop star plans to keep the momentum going in 2011, with a 17-date U.S. tour that kicks off Saturday night in Portland, Maine – plus, top billed slots at festivals including Coachella in April and an opening gig on Katy Perry’s Spring jaunt.

Robyn’s reputation as one of pop’s hottest and most energetic performers is well deserved. Her shows put an emphasis on musical performance over theatrical gimmicks: She’s backed by a robust band that features two drummers and two keyboardists, and she can hit all the notes she puts on her records.

“My band and I are trying to connect to the audience, with the intention of doing our best show ever,” Robyn tells SPIN. “I don’t focus on surprises, covers, or guests – I just want to make the song that I recorded and released sound as good and genuine as possible live.”

In addition to crowd favorites like “Dancing on My Own,” “Hang With Me,” and “Indestructible,” highlights of the tour will include a ballad version of “Show Me Love,” revamped takes on her Snoop Dogg collaboration “You Should Know Better,” and an a cappella cover of “Dancing Queen,” made famous by fellow Swedes Abba.

Robyn’s eclectic approach to pop music – mixing tender, heartfelt lyrics with thumping club grooves – has helped her build one of the most diverse audiences in years, from teen girls to bespectacled music snobs and hip-hop fans. Or, as she once put it: “[It’s] 35-year-old white males, hipsters, badonkadonk girls from Brooklyn, Goths, and nerdy kids.”

Robyn says she’s also looking forward to opening for Katy Perry’s California Dreams Tour later this spring. (Robyn’s dates have yet to be announced.) “She has a huge fanbase, so I’m excited to play for a whole new audience…. I don’t think that Katy asks you to come on tour with her to change. She likes what we’re doing.”

When that’s done, Robyn will hit the studio with her songwriting partner Klas Åhlund and hopes to put out EP-length releases at a quick pace similar to last year’s Body Talk trilogy. “I like doing shorter formats,” she explains. “I can get music out much quicker rather than having to wait years for album cycles.”

Robyn U.S. Tour Dates:
1/29, Portland, ME (State Theater)
1/31, South Burlington, VT (Higher Ground)
2/1, Baltimore, MD (Ram’s Head Live)
2/3, Philadelphia, PA (Electric Factory)
2/4, Boston, MA (House of Blues)
2/5, New York, NY (Radio City Music Hall)
2/7, Cleveland, OH (House of Blues)
2/8, Columbus, OH (The LC Pavilion)
2/9, Detroit, MI (Royal Oak Music Theatre
2/11, Chicago, IL (Riviera Theatre)
2/12, Milwaukee, WI (Rave Ballroom)
2/13, Minneapolis, MN (First Avenue)
2/15, Urbana, IL (Canopy Club)
2/17, Austin, TX (ACL Live @ The Moody Theater)
2/18, Dallas, TX (South Side Music Hall)
2/19, Houston, TX (Warehouse Live)
4/15, Indio, CA (Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival)