The Shins Announce December Australian Tour

US indie-rock outfit The Shins will return to Australia this December in support of their fifth studio full-length, Heartworms.

The album is the band's first self-produced effort since their 2001 debut Oh, Inverted World, and was written by their frontman, acclaimed songwriter James Mercer.

Having somewhat famously dissolved the band's original line-up back in 2009 (and gone through a few other members since), he'll be joined on the upcoming run by relatively new recruits Mark Watrous (guitar/keys), Casey Foubert (guitar), Jon Sortland (drums) and Patti King (keys) — all of whom have joined in the time since the band's last record, 2012's Port Of Morrow — as well as more-seasoned member Yuuki Matthews (bass).

The group will kick off their impending run with a spot at Perth's Fidelity Festival before heading to east-coast theatre headliners in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Before they depart for other pastures, though, they fit in one more event outing at Berry's Fairgrounds Festival on Saturday 9 December.

A ticket presale will be held from 9am AEST this Thursday, 7 September, via Handsome Tours, before opening up to the general public at 9am AEST on Friday 8 September.

See theGuide for a full breakdown of dates, venues and other booking details.