IT'S a sign of how far they've come that one of Britain's most exciting rock insurgents can describe a return to Southampton Guildhall as intimate.

But Foals now play to large enough crowds that their newly announced UK tour counts as a return to their roots.

The Oxford indie outfit's last 'club date' in Southampton saw them pack the tiny Soul Cellar, as it was then known, as a treat for the 120 fans lucky enough to get tickets.

But they play the O2 Guildhall for the third time on Friday, November 13, with critics tipping fourth LP What Went Down to propel them to superstardom.

The album, boasting a song of the summer in its lead single and title track, is released on August 28.

Long tipped as a future Glastonbury headliner, Foals have been climbing festival bills since 2008, headlining their first major event at Latitude Festival this summer.

Their 14-date UK tour, announced on Monday, will see them tour venues a quarter of the size of their last stint, where they played to 15,000 people over two nights at London's Alexandra Palace.

Foals play O2 Guildhall Southampton on November 13, with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets cost £27.50 and go on sale at 9am on Friday. (August 21)