At the Quietus we always applaud artists of a certain age who insist on playing the new stuff and refusing to become part of the nostalgia circuit.

Along with The Fall, Gary Numan is famous for showing a commendable lack of interest in his own mighty back catalogue despite howls of protests from casual fans and critics alike.

That said... news that he's undertaking a rare hits tour has sent shivers of anticipation up our collective backbone.

The tour is scheduled to support the release of a 30-track promos DVD Machine Music: The Best Of Gary Numan. We've had a sneak at the set list and it includes: 'That's Too Bad', 'Down In The Park', 'Are 'Friends' Electric?', 'Cars', 'Complex', 'We Are Glass', 'I Die: You Die', 'This Wreckage', 'Warriors', 'Berserker', 'Rip' and 'Crazier' - along with a selection of material from his critically acclaimed new album, Dead Son Rising.

MAY

TUE 22 Leicester O2 Academy (+ Officers)

WED 23 Glasgow O2 ABC (+ Officers)

THU 24 Newcastle O2 Academy (+ Officers)

FRI 25 Sheffield O2 Academy (+ Officers)

SAT 26 Ireland Dublin Button Factory

MON 28 Bournemouth O2 Academy

TUE 29 Bristol O2 Academy (+ Officers)

WED 30 Cambridge Junction (+ Officers)

THU 31 Birmingham HMV Institute (+ Officers)

JUNE

FRI 1 London HMV Forum (+ Officers)

SAT 2 Cardiff Coal Exchange (+ Officers)

SUN 3 Brighton Dome (+ Officers)