James Ferraro's Far Side Virtual was one of the more bracing, divisive and fascinating albums of last year. Released through Hippos In Tanks, it found the former Skater exploring razor sharp, overly digital textures, as opposed to the swampy murk of his earlier records. A hip-hop mixtape under the name Bebetunes followed right at the end of December, setting Ferraro up for a potentially busy 2012.

He's now announced a tour of the UK and Europe for February, which will offer a chance to see him play his music in the live setting. It's always hard to know what to expect with Ferraro but it's always value for money - his gig a year ago in London, where he performed tracks from thrashy, trashy pop odyssey Night Dolls With Hairspray, lasted barely 20 minutes and featured dry ice, glammed-up backing musicians and some very fetching leather jackets.

Ferraro's tour dates are as follows.

FEBRUARY
1st - London, The Dome
2nd - Berlin, Transmediale [talk]
3rd - Berlin, Transmediale [show]
4th - Milan, O'Artoteca
5th - Geneva, Ecurie de L'Ilot
7th - Nantes, Stakhanov
8th - Brussels, Les Ateliers Claus
9th - Lisbon, Kolovrat 79
10th - Guimaracs, Centro Cultural Vila Flor
11th - Paris, Barofar