It's been almost ten years since beards officially took over rock music, temporarily at least. In 2003, the quartet of furry Followill brothers rounded off four years of slog by issuing the ballsy country-rock debut-album "Youth and Young Manhood", which earned them numerous gold and platinum awards for sales in the UK and Australia. The album cast the die, soundwise - good ole boys making rock and roll with an ear for a riff and a passion for cutting it live and on record, it's a formula that has worked for fourteen years. And the beards? They disappeared a few years back but, thankfully, the tunes have remained and the anthems have continued to flow from the shaven siblings.

Their last three albums have topped the album charts here, in Ireland and New Zealand, with 2008's stunning stadiumesque "Only by the Night" (featuring "Sex On Fire" and "Use Somebody") reaching a far wider audience and 2010's "Come Around Sundown" hitting #1 in no less than seven countries. Kings of Leon have certainly helped to propel American rock back into British hearts and minds after years of monopoly gained by Oasis, Kasabian et al.

Kings of Leon will perform a handful of arena dates next summer in light of the release of album number six. Dates confirmed so far include two nights at the O2 Arena in London on 12th/13th June, two at Manchester's Arena on 24th/25th June and Birmingham's LG Arena on 9th/10th July. More shows may be added in due course - for now, we'll have these super six on sale from 10am, Friday 9th November, with prices set to start at £45.

Did we mention that these will sell out in seconds? You'd best favourite this page then!

The band will also play Portugal's Optimus Alive festival in July - head-lining the closing night (Sunday 14th). Also playing Optimus Alive are Depeche Mode and Two Door Cinema Club. Tickets on sale now, costing £45 per day or £103 for the full three days (12th - 14th July).