Due to health issues, the White Stripes have canceled all remaining tour dates through the end of the year, this includes all dates in the U.K. this Fall.

Fans can obtain refunds for their tickets at point of purchase, except for Austin City Limits Festival which is nonrefundable due to it being a festival. If you purchased your tickets for any of the canceled shows via a fan pre-sale on the band’s web site, please email tix@musictoday.com for refunds.

Jack and Meg thank all their fans their understanding and well wishes. Send good vibes!

I apologised for the lack of timely updates. I’ve gone unbelievably sick since the day I turned 28 on June 11. Trust me, I’ve seen better (and younger) days. Anyhoo, here are some updates that everyone already knew

Sexy photos at the Zenith, Paris show on June 11 can be found at here. You can download the bootleg here too. Thanks to Sodwee a.k.a Ben from www.redcandycane.net.

The White Stripes will be performing a very special show in West Hollywood, CA on June 20. The band will play a live show for fans at a specially constructed “Icky Thump Records” store on Sunset Boulevard. The location of Icky Thump Records is the site of the former Tower Records flagship store at 8801 W. Sunset Blvd. Tickets for this unique performance will be made available to the first 200 fans who purchase the album at this store, which opens at midnight on Monday, June 18th. Tickets are limited and will be given on a first come, first served basis. A handful of tickets will also be available to listeners of KROQ radio from Friday, June 15 - Sunday, June 17. The Icky Thump Records performance will be the band’s first Los Angeles show since December 2005.

Those who can’t make it to the Bonnaroo Festival on June 17 and the special appearance at West Hollywood, CA on June 20, you can log on to AT&T for a special webcast at: www.attblueroom.com/music.

New show at the The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza has been added on June 19.

From the official mailing list:

Hello Children,

This summer The White Stripes will visit their neighbors in the “Great White North” as they embark on a tour of Canada that takes in all 10 provinces, as well as the Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories.

“Having never done a full tour of Canada, Meg and I thought it was high time to go whole hog. We want to take this tour to the far reaches of the Canadian landscape. From the ocean to the permafrost. The best way for us to do that is ensure that we perform in every province and territory in the country, from the Yukon to Prince Edward Island. Another special moment of this tour is the show which will occur in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia on July 14th, The White Stripes’ Tenth Anniversary” - Jack White

Following Canada, the band returns to the United States to play the first leg of the 16 states they have yet to visit during their career, as well as a limited number of performances in other markets, including New York City and Boston. Stay tuned for more confirmed dates and check out their complete routing by visiting the “shows” section of the website.

Presale tickets for the upcoming North American tour will be available by visiting the presale link of the “shows” section beginning April 30 at 10 am local venue time.

In other news, the blistering new single “Icky Thump” is heating up radio waves everywhere! The single is now available iTunes (US and Canada only) and you can read the lyrics for the song at the here.

Big Day Out @ Perth rocked. It was my first time seeing Jack and Meg on the Get Behind Me Satan tour and I’m really amazed by the magnificient set. No setlist as I was just soaking in the show. And rock on forever, candy cane children. You know you are into something really good! More photos and coverage can be found on the Big Day Out official site.

And to a bit of overdue updates:

1. Grammy Awards
Arcade Fire is a strong contender but the award for the Best Alternative Music Album went to our favorite duo. A toast please!

2. Japan Tour Dates
In March 2005, apparently.

3. Blue Orchid - Gondry/Jarmusch Remix

Oops. It’s not a spoof as I previously, thought, but an actual remix LP of “Blue Orchid” by Gondry and Jarmusch and it’s retailing for USD $19 at the official store. Thanks to Nikolas Eleftheriou for the correction!