Show Alert: Radiohead @ HP Pavilion 4/11 & Santa Barbara Bowl 4/12

Radiohead fans, rejoice! Amidst the flurry and hubbub surrounding Coachella and related announcements, Radiohead quietly announced their return to the United States on a short tour leading up to the festival. Although the band members have appeared Stateside individually, this will be the first time Radiohead visits more than one city as a band in nearly four years. Will the celestial quintet be coming near you?

Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Phil Selway will only hit 11 cities leading up to their headlining performances at Coachella. Luckily, Yorke has taken to Los Angeles, with his recent project Atoms for Peace, and his spontaneous DJ appearances at local clubs. Two of the band’s stops include San Jose, at the HP Pavilion on April 11, and Santa Barbara, at the Santa Barbara Bowl on April 12.

Radiohead are no strangers to the Santa Barbara Bowl, as they often hit this 4,500 capacity venue on their way down the California coast. The intimate and well-worn venue is a stark difference from the 19,000 capacity HP Pavilion, a first for the group. Outside of the Santa Barbara Bowl, Radiohead’s 2012 US tour runs exclusively through stadiums. Don’t miss your opportunity to see Radiohead perform in this low-key setting, as they seem to really be in their element each time they grace the stage in this sleepy beach town.

Having seen Radiohead in venues from large, sold out stadiums, to sold out festivals, to intimate, outdoor venues, I can confidently say no matter which setting you find yourself for Radiohead, you’ll love it. With over a decade of touring experience under their belts, the band knows how to play to any crowd, in any atmosphere.

Tickets for HP Pavilion go on sale to the public on Saturday at 10 am over at Ticketmaster. No word net on when tickets to Santa Barbara Bowl hit market, or whether there will be the usual fan presale for either date through Radiohead’s fan community and webstore, W.A.S.T.E.