Arctic Monkeys Say They Won't be Playing Summer Shows

Arctic Monkeys have announced that they will not be playing shows in the UK this summer, ruling out any prospect of festival appearances.

The Sheffield quartet are set to tour the US and Mexico in April, after which they will take a break from performing live as they wind up promotion of their third album 'Humbug,' released last August. Drummer Matt Helders told Zane Lowe on Radio 1, "I think we're doing a quick campaign this time round. We're quite eager to record again."

Helders went on to suggest the nature of the band's new material.

"It's going to be different again. Not necessarily in the same direction of the last record. There are some left overs from the last record -- stuff that we saved because we thought it'd be good enough for another album but didn't fit with the third album -- a bit heavier and more upbeat."

Before they jet off for America, Arctic Monkeys will play at the Royal Albert Hall in London on March. 27 as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust series of concerts.