The Australian/New Zealand band CROWDED HOUSEВ is set to reform for a world tour 11 years after the groupВ spilt, according to newspaper reports. The tour should be confirmed this week, New Zealand's Dominion Post said.

Singer Neil Finn and bass player Nick Seymour are currently seeking drummers in Australia, with more auditions planned for New Zealand and the USA. Crowded House's original drummer, Paul Hester, committed suicide in 2005.

Julia Connolly, a spokeswoman for Finn's office, told the newspaper that auditions were planned in Auckland and Los Angeles.

"At the moment, they're just working at getting the band together," she said. "Something's formally coming out once the band is in place."

Crowded House, headed by New Zealand-born Finn, formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1986. They had hits with songs such as "Better Be Home Soon", "Weather With You", and "Don't Dream It's Over". In November 1996 the band played their farewell concert in front of 120,000 peopleВ in front ofВ the Sydney Opera House.