Having garnered a year's worth of accolades on both sides of the pond for their debut album, Up the Bracket, U.K. buzz band the Libertines will return to the U.S. on August 1st for another round of tour dates.

The mop-topped four-piece has already enjoyed six-figure sales success for the Mick Jones (Clash, not Foreigner)-produced Bracket in England. Its thirteen-date itinerary starts with a pair of shows in San Francisco and wraps on August 19th in New Orleans.

The tour will find the band performing without guitarist Peter Doherty. "Peter is unwell and the band are very concerned for his wellbeing," a statement reads. "They have told him out of concern for his health that he needs to get better before he can rejoin them."

An interim guitarist, referenced only as Nick, will be sitting in for Doherty for the time being. The statement maintains that, contrary to reports, the band is not splitting up and that "their future is secure."

Libertines tour dates:

8/1: San Francisco, Popscene
8/3: San Francisco, Slim's
8/4: Los Angeles, El Rey Theater
8/5: Las Vegas, Huntridge Theater
8/7: Denver, Bluebird Theater
8/9: Minneapolis, 7th Street Entry
8/10: Chicago, Double Door
8/12: Toronto, Opera House
8/13: Montreal, Caf? Campus
8/15: New York, Irving Plaza
8/16: Washington, DC, Black Cat
8/18: Atlanta, Cotton Club
8/19: New Orleans, The Parish

ANDREW DANSBY
(July 11, 2003)