Speaking of large bands of nice people playing sweet, thoughtful soft rock: Scotland's Belle & Sebastian have announced a tour. It's a small one -- only nine dates, from Sept. 30 in Brooklyn to Oct. 17 in San Francisco.

In between: Oct. 11 at the Chicago Theatre. Tickets are $39.50 plus fees, on sale at 10 a.m. June 12 (800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com).

The still-nebulous group hasn't toured the United States in four years. They're allegedly wrapping up a new album, but we've heard this before.