The Dave Matthews [ tickets ] Band has announced plans for a 17-city U.S. tour that is set to open in Columbus, Ohio on June 19. The band's growing fan base is evidenced by a schedule that features appearances at many stadiums as well as several two-day amphitheater stands.

The itinerary, released Wednesday (3/7) via the official Dave Matthews Band website, concludes with Aug. 4 and 5 appearances at The Gorge in George, Wash. Tickets for most shows are scheduled to go on sale through traditional outlets on April 8. No opening act has been announced.

A limited number of advance tickets will be available to members of the band's official fan club, who pay a $30 annual membership fee. Under the arrangement, members can attempt to purchase seats from a ticket allotment set aside for the club by entering a lottery system prior to the public onsale date. Further details about the program, which was unveiled prior to the band's spring 1999 tour, are available through the band's official fan club website.

Because of the band's large U.S. fan base, tickets for most shows tend to sell out quickly, often to the benefit of ticket brokers who take advantage of venue subscription sales offers or hire people to buy tickets over the counter at box offices and ticket outlets. Those tickets are then marked up in price and resold.

Under the fan club's policy, fan club orders found to be placed by brokers will be voided without return of the $30 membership fee.

The Dave Matthews Band is recording follow up to the band's last studio album, 1998's "Before These Crowded Streets," with producer Steve Lillywhite. The as-yet-untitled album should be released before the tour begins.