THE Proclaimers will play Newcastle City Hall on October 16 and York Barbican on October 25 as part of their 26-date autumn tour in the wake of the spring release of their tenth studio album.

Leith twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid will issue Let's Hear It For The Dogs through Cooking Vinyl on April 27, after taking a year out from touring to focus on writing songs before heading into the studio last December.

The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales and produced by Dave Eringa, who has worked with The Who, Wilko Johnson and Roger Daltrey, The Manic Street Preachers and Idlewild.

The album features the live band, Stevie Christie (keyboards), Garry John Kane (bass), Zac Ware (electric guitar) and Clive Jenner (drums). Additional guitars by Sean Genockey. The Vulcan String Quartet also appear.

"It was a joy working with Dave; he understood what the songs were about and let the band describe them. He's also one of the funniest people we’ve ever met,” says Craig.

Brother Charlie says “We had loved the work he’d done with the Manics and thought the Johnson and Daltrey record brilliantly produced. The recording was a great experience, everything went more smoothly than any other record we’ve made. It was great to be back at Rockfield. The band all played beautifully and we’re really proud of the album and hope that people enjoy it too.”

* Newcastle tickets are available on newcastlecityhall.org and 0191-277-8030

* York tickets 0844-854 2757 or yorkbarbican.co.uk