Relient K tour plans concerts, new album for summer 2009

Alt-rock quintet Relient K is getting in tune for a new tour of the U.S. for 20 concerts over the coming months. The main leg of the jaunt kicks off May 26 at Class House in Pomona, CA, and wraps July 3 at Slowdown in Omaha, NE.

Highlights for the summer tour include a May 30 show at Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR, a June 4 gig at Murray Theater in Murray, UT, and a June 22 concert at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC.

After completing the primary concert dates, Relient K is booked for a few special engagements to close out the summer. The band’s itinerary currently closes with a September 5 performance at the Revelation Generation music festival at Revelation Farms in Frenchtown, NJ.

Over the course of the tour, several bands will step in to provide opening support. Owl City will perform at a total of seven shows from May 26 through June 4, with Runner Runner and The Classic Crime jumping on for extra support on select dates.

Relient K most recently released the compilation “The Bird and the Bee Sides” in July 2008. Comprised of a mix of new material as well as previously released rarities and B-sides, the EP debuted at No. 25 on the Billboard 200. The group’s last studio album, 2007’s “Five Score and Seven Years Ago,” debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.

The Ohio-based group spent the final months of 2008 touring the U.S. on two separate outings. Since then, the band has been completing work on its sixth studio album, currently untitled, which has a projected summer release date.

Relient K itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)