It's been eight years since former Genesis front man and mainstream avant-garde pop artist Peter Gabriel has performed in Houston, and on June 16 he will remedy that with what is sure to be a sold-out affair at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

Last Saturday on his official Web site, Gabriel released a video updating visitors on his current plans and hinted at touring. This morning a batch of dates including Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Toronto, London, and others was listed, and Pollstar added the June 16 Woodlands date as well.

The setlist for that show seemed to be a greatest hits of sorts, including "Games Without Frontiers," "Solsbury Hill," "Shock The Monkey," and "Sledgehammer." Gabriel's last album was last year's orchestral covers album, Scratch My Back, which included his takes on Radiohead, Magnetic Fields, Arcade Fire, and Bon Iver. On this tour, Gabriel will be touring with his New Blood Orchestra, which should make for an ominously amazing evening.

He also has a new album set for release later in the year bearing the New Blood name. He's also rumored to be on the upcoming Austin City Limits Festival bill, which should be released in the next few weeks.

As his Web site puts it:

Following the success of last year's sell out concerts Peter Gabriel returns to the USA and Canada for a 12 date tour with the New Blood orchestra. On the last outing Gabriel redrew the works of Lou Reed, David Bowie, Radiohead... this time out he applies the orchestral makeover to his own back catalogue.

The stunning musical backdrop leaves Gabriel's vocals centre-stage and bare, stripped of the usual rock'n'roll clothing, no loud guitars or booming drums to hide behind. Raw and soul-baring yet passionate and often joyous, Gabriel's classic songs here take new shape and extra meaning.

Holy awesome. Tickets should be on sale for the Woodlands date in the next couple of weeks.