Arctic Monkeys 'not playing summer shows'

Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders says their US tour will end this campaign

Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders has said the band are not planning on playing UK shows this summer.

Following the release of their third album Humbug last August the Sheffield group headlined the Reading and Leeds festivals but say their forthcoming American tour will bring an end to the current campaign.

Speaking to Radio 1's Zane Lowe, Matt Helders says the shows are likely to be the last.

"I think so, yeah," he admitted. "I think we're doing a quick campaign this time around. We're quite eager to record again."

Arctic Monkeys' only UK show currently announced is an appearance at the Teenage Cancer Trust series at London's Royal Albert Hall on 27 March.

Regarding the sound of the new material they're working on the sticksman added: "It's going to be different again. Not necessarily in the same direction as 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 in with the third album - a bit heavier and a bit more upbeat."