The Shins: With only three albums out -- the last one released four years ago -- The Shins are surprisingly still one of the hottest indie bands in the US. In addition to acclaimed tour dates, their popularity is due to the increasing success that each album experiences, even with more and more experimentation and musical fusion. The Shins have fused even more styles together on their most recent album and, with yet another album due out in 2012, fans are eager to see what these indie rockers will come up with next. While they wait for the album's release date, they can find The Shins on their few remaining tour dates in 2011 at some of the biggest festivals of the summer.

While The Shins began as a side project for lead singer James Mercer while playing with his band, Flake, the group ended up featuring all of Flake's members after it disbanded. The Shins released their first EP before being hired to open tour dates for Modest Mouse, which lent the group incredible credibility as a talented indie band. This distinction was echoed by critics and audiences upon the release of Oh, Inverted World in 2001, with the single "New Slang" becoming one of the biggest hits of the year. The song became an even bigger indie staple after it and "Caring Is Creepy" were used in the Zach Braff film, Garden State, which boasted other hit indie songs. The exposure paved the way for the success of Chutes Too Narrow in 2003, with indie fans praising The Shins as one of the best new bands in the genre.

The Shins' latest album, Wincing the Night Away, has continued the group's winning streak, despite being recorded almost entirely by Mercer. Its superbness has given fans high expectations for their next album, which is currently in production. In the meantime, audiences can catch The Shins at their handful of remaining tour dates in 2011, including appearances at the Outside Lands Festival, the Popped! Festival, and the Deluna Festival. For all of The Shin's tour date information in 2011, just check Eventful.