The Black Keys Cancel Tour Dates

The group broke the news to fans on Friday with a statement posted to the band’s official website.

“An arduous year of touring and promotion has drained the band and necessitated time off,” the statement said. “Dan and Patrick wish to thank all of you who have shown such incredible support since the release of Brothers and have helped make the album a success.”

The Australian/New Zealand tour was set to kick off on Thursday with a gig at The Opera House in Wellington, New Zealand. Canceled shows include all of the band’s appearances at Australia’s Big Day Out festival. Dates down under are called off through Feb. 6.

Canceled European dates include four shows in Germany (March 19-20, March 22-23), a gig in Switzerland (March 24) and a show in Lille, France (March 25).

According to The Black Keys’ website, the following dates are still good to go:

The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas (Feb. 19-20), Olympia in Paris (March 15), Olympic in Nantes, France (March 16), Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands (March 18) and Mesa Amphitheatre in Mesa, Ariz. (April 14).

The Black Keys released Brothers, their sixth full-length album, in March 2010. Brothers is up for a 2011 Grammy for best alternative music album. Two tunes from the album have also been nominated for Grammys. “Tighten Up” was nominated for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals in addition to best rock song. “Black Mud” was nominated for best rock instrumental performance.

For more information, click here for The Black Keys’ official website.