Howie Day [ tickets ], whose sophomore set arrived in stores last fall, mounts a headlining run in February that features Stereophonics [ tickets ] in the opening slot.

The outing gets underway in Washington, DC, on Feb. 4, and touches down at theaters and clubs throughout the U.S.; a lone Canadian stop is also planned in Toronto.

Day, a 22-year-old native of Maine who got his start on the Boston coffeehouse circuit, is touring behind his October release, "Stop All the World Now." He recorded the 11-song set at Olympic Studios in London with producer Youth (The Verve, Dido). Michael Brauer (Coldplay, David Gray), Chris Lord-Alge (Goo Goo Dolls, Eric Clapton) and Clive Goddard (Sneaker Pimps, Marianne Faithful) mixed the album.

Backing Day in the studio were guitarist Jay Clifford (Jump Little Children), bassist Simon Jones (ex-Verve), keyboardist Les Hall and drummer Laurie Jenkins.

Streaming samples from the album are posted at Day's official website.

"Stop All the World Now" is the follow-up to Day's 2000 debut, "Australia," a self-financed album that he released independently before signing with Epic, which then reissued the album. The album earned Day wins in the Debut Album of the Year and Outstanding Male Vocalist categories at the 2003 Boston Music Awards.

Stereophonics are backing their latest set, "You Gotta Go There to Come Back," which surfaced on Sept. 9.