Angelique Kidjo, Funky Meters and Steve Earle and the Dukes have been tapped to open portions of Dave Matthews Band [ tickets ]’s December tour, which will focus primarily on the northeastern U.S.

Kidjo is scheduled to appear on the tour’s Dec. 3 stop in Minneapolis, as well as its Dec. 4 and 5 shows near Chicago.

Funky Meters will hook up with Matthews and band for its Dec. 7-11 engagements in Cleveland, University Park, Pa., Albany, N.Y., and Boston.

Steve Earle and the Dukes are slated to open on Dec. 12 and 13 in New York, on Dec. 16 in Providence, R.I., and on Dec. 17 in Philadelphia.

Public ticket sales for all December Dave Matthews Band shows will begin on Oct. 28th. Advance ticketing through the band's fan club--subject to a lottery system--is already in effect.