In order to cut the ribbon on his U.S. tour -- which begins tonight (May 27) at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. -- singer-songwriter Patrick Watson has just shared a new video, which you can watch above, of his band playing "Hearts" live. The studio version of "Hearts" appears on Watson's new album, Love Songs for Robots, which combines folk, orchestral pop, cabaret, psychedelia and dreamy twang into a potent new blend with shades of science fiction-inspired retro-futurism.

The new performance footage offers a sneak peek at the simple-but-striking lighting props that Watson uses live -- spherical bulb fixtures that reference the vintage "robot" look of the new album's cover art.

Additionally, Watson has just announced new North American and European dates. His tour now runs through mid-December and concludes with appearances at New York's Irving Plaza and Underground Arts in Philadelphia. The Low Anthem, Mini Mansions, Villagers and the Barr Brothers open on select dates, while tUnE-yArDs and Zola Jesus also appear on the bill for the Pygmalion Festival in Urbana, Ill. on Sept. 25.

Watson's full schedule can be found here.

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