The band’s 2006 world tour will mark the touring debut of new lead singer J.D. Fortune, who was selected on the “Rock Star: INXS” television show last month.

The INXS Switched On tour, kicks off January 18 in Vancouver, BC. The North American leg will touch down at casinos and theatres in 20 U.S. cities and make two stops in Canada.

Tickets go on sale the weekend of October 15.

“The TV show ‘Rock Star: INXS’ generated millions of new INXS fans across North America and there is a great deal of excitement to see the band perform live once again,” said tour promoter John Scher of Metropolitan Talent Presents. “Years of touring have earned INXS a massive reputation as a great live band. I have no doubt that this will be a memorable tour.”

INXS recently released the single “Pretty Vegas” and is now working on its Epic Records debut, Switch, which is due in stores November 29th.

The band’s charismatic original frontman, Michael Hutchence died on November 22, 1997, on the eve of an INXS tour. The rest of the group – brothers Andrew, Tim and John Farriss; Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers – continued to tour and perform at special events.

At first, the band utilized the talents of guest singers including Terence Trent D’Arby, Jimmy Barnes of the much loved Australian band Cold Chisel, and former Baby Animals lead singer Suzi Demarchi.

Then INXS brought in Jon Stevens, formerly of the Australian group Noiseworks, as its lead singer. Stevens spent three years touring with the band before announcing his departure in 2003.