New York rock-poet Lou Reed has followed his performance at the Knitting Factory with the announcement of a North American tour in support of his recently released album, Ecstasy (April 4).

Beginning June 2 in Seattle, the 15-city excursion will swing north into Vancouver, British Columbia, down the coast of California and across the Midwest before heading back east to wrap up at Boston's Fleet Pavilion on June 23.

Ecstasy is Reed's first album of new material since 1996's Set The Twilight Reeling. The album explores various characters' search for the fleeting ability to step outside themselves. As Reed pointed out in a recent interview, "Everybody's trying for their own form of ecstasy. And something in the real world interferes."

The gritty, emotional landscape of New York that has informed Reed's writings since his factory days as auteur of the Velvet Underground create the familiar backdrop for these fictional examinations.

The cinematic quality of Ecstasy (RealAudio excerpt of title track) and the power of imagery are things Reed is inclined to emphasize: "You should be able to visualize it, quickly. Because of the images being given and the way it's being said and the setup and the focus. You ought to be able to see it."

Lou Reed tour dates:

June 2; Seattle, Wash.; Benaroya Concert Hall

June 3; Vancouver, British Columbia; Queen Elizabeth Theatre

June 4; Portland, Ore.; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

June 6; Berkeley, Calif.; Berkeley Community Theatre

June 7; Universal City, Calif.; Universal Amphitheatre

June 9; Salt Lake City, Utah; Abravanel Hall

June 10; Denver, Colo.; Paramount Theatre

June 12; Minneapolis, Minn.; Orpheum Theatre

June 13; Chicago, Ill.; Chicago Theatre

June 15; Detroit, Mich.; State Theatre

June 16; Toronto, Ontario; Hummingbird Centre

June 17; Baltimore, Md.; Pier 6 Concert Pavilion

June 19–20; New York, N.Y.; Beacon Theatre

June 21; Glenside, Pa.; Kennwick Theatre

June 23; Boston, Mass.; Fleet Boston Pavilion