The Rolling Stones [ tickets ] officially unveiled plans for their long-rumored 2005/2006 tour during a brief Tuesday (5/10) performance and press conference in front of hundreds of fans outside New York City's Julliard School of Music.

Proving they've retained their chops after more than four decades in the business, the Stones--Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood--opened the event by playing "Start Me Up," trotted out a new song titled "Oh No Not You Again," and wrapped up with "Brown Sugar" before taking a few questions from the press.

Organizers confirmed previous reports that the North American leg of the tour, sponsored by mortgage company Ameriquest, will launch Aug. 21 at Boston's Fenway Park. The first leg wraps up Dec. 1 in Houston, and about 35 shows are confirmed so far. The itinerary is below; additional North American shows are in the works for early 2006.

Opening acts haven't been announced. "We kinda know [who will open], but we're not gonna say," frontman Mick Jagger said at the press conference.

Though there were pre-announcement rumors that the 2005/2006 tour would be the band's last, Jagger shot them down. "We never say this is the last tour," he said. "We take each tour as it comes."

Like the Stones' 2002/2003 "Licks" tour, the upcoming outing will visit a mix of stadiums, arenas and clubs. But unlike that tour--which visited fewer than 20 North American cities--the band will not play different-sized venues in the same market. Rehearsals will begin in Toronto "sooner than you think," Jagger said.

Tickets for shows in Boston; Washington, DC; Atlanta; Charlotte; and Calgary will go on sale to the general public on May 14; other on-sale dates will be announced.

According to a press release, about 5% of the tickets will be premium "Gold Circle" seats. The remaining tickets will average $99 for stadium shows, $110 for arenas and $50 for clubs and theaters.

Pre-sale tickets will be sold via the Stones' online fan club; details are available at the group's website. American Express cardholders will also have access to a limited number of pre-sale tickets in select markets.

Tour promoter Michael Kohl said that several hundred seats have been built directly into the set that will be used for stadium shows. "The band is redefining the concert experience--there is nothing even comparable to the thrill of being onstage with the Rolling Stones and seeing a stadium show from the band's perspective," he said in a statement.

Besides North America, the trek is expected touch down in Mexico, South America and The Far East (possibly including the band's first-ever performances in mainland China). The outing will end in Europe during the summer of 2006.

The tour will support a new, as-yet untitled album, which Jagger said is about "85 percent done." No release date has been scheduled.