YELLOWKNIFE - After months of swirling rumours, it's confirmed: the White Stripes are coming North.

As part of their upcoming cross-Canada tour, the Detroit indie-rockers-turned-pop-superstars will perform in Whitehorse's Yukon Arts Centre June 25, in Yellowknife at the Shorty Brown arena at the Multiplex June 26 and in Iqaluit at the Arctic Winter Games Arena June 27.

Meg and Jack White, indie-rock superstars the White Stripes, are preparing for an unprecedented Northern tour, which will bring them to Yellowknife Tuesday, June 26. - photo courtesy of Autumn de Wilde

"Having never done a full tour of Canada, Meg and I thought it was high time to go whole hog," singer/guitarist Jack White wrote in a press release on the band's website. "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."

The tour marks the release of the Grammy-award-winning band's sixth album, Icky Thump, which comes out world-wide June 19. The band will also play dates across the country, from Calgary's Saddledome to the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto, before tackling a series of U.S. dates.

Continuing the tour's completist theme, the band will visit 16 states they have never performed in before.

The initial furore began last month, when the White Stripes website informed fans the band would be touring "all 10 provinces and three territories of Canada."

While a number of media outlets jumped on the story, few were certain it could be taken seriously. Now, it definitely can.

"Everything is done, set, booked and confirmed," said Aurora Productions' Gary Hubert, who is teaming up with House of Blues to bring the duo to Yellowknife.

"This is probably the largest event that Yellowknife has ever seen," he said. "Even larger than George Jones."

With people across the territories ready for their chance to see a world-famous contemporary band at the height of its powers, Hubert said this show would be something special.

"I think this is going to be a unique opportunity for all ages, but especially for the younger generation."

Marc Bauer, an assistant with the Stripes' North American booking agency, said his group was undaunted by the long distances and unique challenges required to cover a Northern tour.

"Jack (White) wants to play everywhere," he said. "There are people everywhere that haven't had a chance to see him."

He said the North poses challenges for the band and fans alike, but hoped that both could bridge the gap.

"It will be a little difficult for everyone to show up, but the idea is how often does a concert come to that neck of the woods?

"There's fans in all stretches of the world and we know they can't always come to a big city," he said. "Sometimes, the big city has to come to them."

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 4. Opening acts could not be confirmed at press time.