TOUR DATES: The Black Keys Add 2012 Arena Dates, Play SNL Again

The Black Keys @ Music Midtown, Atlanta 9/24/11

In prep for the release of their new album, El Camino, The Black Keys have announced a slew of North American arena dates for 2012, and they return to Saturday Night Live for a performance this weekend (Steve Buscemi hosts). Following their SNL appearance, they’re also confirmed for a more intimate show at NYC’s Webster Hall on Monday, Dec 5th (details on tickets are still forthcoming, but the show will be streamed via MTV Hive). In other Black Keys news, frontman Dan Auerbach is reportedly recording an LP with NOLA legend Dr. John for a 2012 release…which is pretty damn rad.

With this tour, the band appears to finally be making the big leap to the arena circuit, with the Artic Monkeys filling out the opening slot for the dates announced thus far.

The Black Keys – 2012 North American Tour Dates:
3/2/12 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena
3/3/12 Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena
3/4/12 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
3/6/12 Portland, ME Cumberland County Civic Center
3/7/12 Boston, MA TD Garden
3/9/12 Washington, DC Verizon Center
3/10/12 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
3/12/12 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
3/13/12 Montreal Bell Centre
3/14/12 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
3/16/12 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse
3/18/12 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
3/19/12 Chicago, IL United Center**
3/20/12 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
3/23/12 Norfolk, VA Constant Convocation Center

**fan presale for this show will be 12/13

Fans on the official mailing list will get the first crack at tickets on 12/6 at 10am (local time). Public on-sales start on 12/9. Hit up their official site for more deets.

They also recently released a video for “Lonely Boy,” their first single off of El Camino. Check it:

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy [Official Music Video]