Animal Collective is an enigmatic band to say the least. In fact, they're not even technically a band. The group is just a version of the full lineup (sometimes presented in full form) that collaborates to make seemingly extraterrestrial music. This is where the second word in the band name comes from. They are not a group with members whose contributions are integral to the sound, because the sound is always changing and the project is always evolving. If a certain member cannot play on an album, the collective compensates and creates something fans have never heard. This is especially true on their new single "FloriDada" from their upcoming album Painting With. The song and album do not feature guitarist Deakin, forcing the band to make a more electronic sounding album, with less guitar sounds. This was also the case in the recording and composition of the bands magnum opus Merriweather Post Pavilion. Now, the remaining collective members, Avey Tare, Panda Bear, and Geologist, are embarking on a world tour to support their upcoming album without the help of their longtime friend and band member Deakin.

As previously reported, the band will be supported by Ratking, GFOTY and Kaitlyn Smith for select shows. From Paste, the tour's schedule is as follows:

February
19 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ Union Transfer $
20 - Portsmouth, N.H. @ 3S Artspace $
22 - Boston, Mass. @ Royale Boston $
23 - New York, N.Y. @ Irving Plaza $
26 - Columbus, Ohio @ Newport Music Hall $
27 - Chicago, Ill. @ Concord Music Hall $
28 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ First Avenue $

March
1 - Denver, Colo. @ Ogden Theatre $
2 - Salt Lake City, Utah @ The Depot $
4 - Seattle, Wash. @ Neptune $
5 - Portland, Ore. @ Roseland Theater $
7 - Oakland, Calif. @ Fox Theater $
8 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Fonda Theatre $
11-13 - Phoenix, Ariz. @ McDowell Mountain Music Festival

April
1 - Brussels, Belgium @ Le Botanique Orangerie %%
2 - The Hague, Netherlands @ Rewire Festival
4 - Hamburg, Germany @ Uebel & Gefahrlich %%
5 - Berlin, Germany @ Postbahnhof
7 - Milan, Italy @ C2C Festival %%
8 - Stans, Switzerland @ Stanser Musiktage Festival
9 - Paris, France @ La Cigale %%
11 - London, England @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire %%
13 - Manchester, England @ Manchester Academy %%
28 - Fayetteville, Ark. @ George's Majestic Lounge +

April/May
29-1 - Austin, Texas @ Levitation

May
1 - Tulsa, Okla. @ Cain's Ballroom ~~
3 - St. Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant ~~
4 - Royal Oak, Mich. @ Royal Oak Music Theatre ~~
6 - Nashville, Tenn. @ Marathon Music Works ~~
7 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Buckhead Theatre ~~
8 - Asheville, N.C. @ Orange Peel ~~
10 - District of Columbia @ 9:30 Club ~~
13 - Wilmington, Del. @ World Café Live at the Queen ~~
14 - Sayreville, N.J. @ Starland Ballroom ~~

$ with Ratking
%% with GFOTY
~~ with Kaitlyn Smith

Join the Discussion