Of course, all of this tour talk is to back the release of the band’s long-awaited new album, Hail To The Thief. Political assumptions and controversy aside, the disc already looks to be a smash hit, if previous album sales are any indication of Radiohead’s rabid fanbase.

Since Hail To The Thief doesn’t hit shelves until June and the band’s tour doesn’t start until May 17 in Dublin, there’s time for fans to twiddle their thumbs. Thankfully, Radiohead are the thinking person’s band and have come up with a way to keep kids entertained.

The group has proposed a short film contest. The object is to take an MP3 of a live Radiohead track; make some moving picture to it – anything from live action to animation is cool – and send it in to the band. Check out radiohead.com for the skinny.