With Phil Collins now retired, a Collins/Peter Gabriel Genesis reunion looks about as likely as Virginia Commonwealth taking home the NCAA Men’s Basketball title in 2011. But all is not lost as Gabriel will be taking to the road in 2011 with his newest outfit, the 46-piece New Blood orchestra.

Unlike Gabriel’s 2010 “New Blood Tour”, which primarily re-envisioned works by Lou Reed, David Bowie, and Radiohead, the upcoming summer tour will apply the orchestral makeover to Gabriel’s extensive back catalogue. Lacking an electric guitar, electric bass, and a modern rock-and-roll drum set-up, the orchestral backdrop leaves Gabriel’s vocals center stage and bare, giving classic songs like “Rain”, “San Jacinto”, “Digging in the Dirt” and “Don’t Give Up” a new shape with extra meaning.

Before hitting the states in June, Gabriel and the orchestra will perform at London’s Hammersmith Apollo March 23rd and 24th, with both performances being filmed in 3D for a forthcoming release. The North American run beins June 10th in Berkeley, CA and continues through June 27th. Due to the epic nature of the performances, the tour will be rolling through fairly large venues, including Colorado’s Red Rocks, Chicago’s United Center, the Comcast Center outside of Boston, and the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey.

All dates can be found below, and for all up-to-date ticket information please visit Gabriel’s website. While no release date has been announced, according to Gabriel’s website, expect a New Blood album release by the end of 2011.

Peter Gabriel 2011 Tour Dates:
03/23 – London, UK @ The Hammersmith Apollo
03/24 – London, UK @ The Hammersmith Apollo
06/10 – Berkeley, CA @ U.C. Berkeley
06/11 – Santa, Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
06/13 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheater
06/15 – Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theater
06/16 – Spring, TX @ Cynthia Woods Pavilion
06/18 – Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theater
06/20 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
06/22 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheatre
06/24 – Mansfield, MA @ Comcast Center
06/25 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
06/27 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga PAC