The rockers plan to extend their solstice trek into the autumn months, moving the show indoors from October until early December. A new album is also set for release in October.

The tour features the return of the Heartbreakers’ original bass player Ron Blair. The band has parted ways with Howie Epstein because of his ongoing personal problems.

Like a lot of artists these days, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers are offering ticket presales through their Web site. Beginning today, May 16, the first six shows will go on sale through www.tompetty.com.

In addition to getting the pick of the seats, fans will also have access to free downloads of songs performed in various cities on the tour. Concert tickets will contain a code, which will then give access to the downloads.

No extra charges will be added for purchases made through the band’s site other than the usual Ticketmaster service charges.

The revered rocker and his band embarked on a similar outing last year, playing sheds over the course of one month before retreating to the studio. Although the effort wasn’t nearly on scale with the band’s 1999 tour – which ranked as one of the 15 top-grossing tours of the year – the group still managed to sell-out many of their shows.