The Black Keys tour drives ‘El Camino’ to U.S. arenas

With the release of the hotly anticipated “El Camino” just around the bend, The Black Keys have confirmed their first headlining arena tour of North America.

The blues-rock duo has so far outlined a 16-date routing for March 2012 with support from Arctic Monkeys. The arena romp kicks off March 2 at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH, and continues through March 24 at Bonjangles Arena in Charlotte, NC.

Public onsales start December 9 for currently confirmed dates. Ticket prices vary between venues, but according to current Ticketmaster.com listings, most markets’ tickets fall within the $29.50 to $59.50 range.

Also confirmed with upcoming onsales are shows on March 7 at TD Garden in Boston, MA; March 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY; and March 19 at United Center in Chicago, IL. More U.S. tour dates may soon be added, since the present itinerary largely skips the South, Midwest and West Coast.

The Black Keys, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerback and drummer Patrick Carney, release their seventh studio album this week. The duo hopes to replicate the breakthrough success of 2010’s “Brothers” with the new release “El Camino,” due on store shelves tomorrow, December 6.

While the upcoming venture marks the band’s first major string of arena dates, the Keys are no strangers to playing major stages.

While touring the U.S. festival circuit in 2011, the Keys most notably headlined Bonnaroo 2011 alongside Eminem and Arcade Fire. The duo also supplemented their festival dates with scattered Canadian arena shows, according to tour archives on the Keys’ official Web site.

The Black Keys itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)