Rarely has a debut-album caused so much critical adoration and fawning than the nearly self-titled launch from London alt-rockers The xx. "xx", released in 2009, appeared in so many end-of-year lists, charts, blogs and polls that the only surprising thing about the entire phenomenon was that it stopped short of being a number one album. Even the popular twice-released single "Islands" stalled at #34, although, at the time, there didn't seem to be a day gone by without hearing it sound-tracking an auction on Bargain Hunt, a news story on local TV or a football ident.

Certainly, "xx" and its creators have received considerable acclaim since its release three years ago, including the Mercury Music Prize in 2010 and countless sold-out shows across the globe. Member Jamie Smith has also established himself as a go-to remixer, with perhaps his most ambitious project being his collaborative remix album with the late Gil Scott-Heron, "We're New Here".

And so to 2012 - what a year! New album "Co-exist" seems to have won most listeners over and there's no shortage of an audience - it earned them their first #1 album last week. Well done The xx. With that exciting event buzzing in their minds, the threesome have finally confirmed a European tour for the end of this year.

After a string of November shows in Spain, France, Belgium and the rest of Northern Europe, The xx will head back to the UK for a handful of dates in December. So far they've confirmed Brighton on the 6th, followed by Newcastle (11th), Wolverhampton (12th), Bristol (14th) and finally (for now) Brixton on 16th December.

We will have tickets on sale at 9AM on Friday 21st September - expect brisk sales from the off.