I’m glad they gave us this little preview. Annika did great. Really happy they’re doing this. All the pictures of Neil in the background caught me by surprise but I guess this isn’t ’moving on’ so much as ‘carrying on’. Annika had 2 snare drums to use during Finding My Way. Neat!

as much as Geddy clearly wants to continue, it makes sense to end. Neil kinda did it out of the goodness of his heart to meet in the middle. Alex was also starting to have issues in his age. And Geddy had had vocal issues for awhile by that point.

^ the above in bold about Ged's voice is what struck me from that performance. GL can still play his ass off. Alex was on FIRE there and Anika did very, very well. But the vocal issues are there in a one-off, five minute number - thin and toppy, and he's struggling to hit the notes. Needs to think about taking all the songs down a step or two (Jagger and Plant have done this)... but then that depends on him having the range.

Quote
LoveInVain69
as much as Geddy clearly wants to continue, it makes sense to end. Neil kinda did it out of the goodness of his heart to meet in the middle. Alex was also starting to have issues in his age. And Geddy had had vocal issues for awhile by that point.

^ the above in bold about Ged's voice is what struck me from that performance. GL can still play his ass off. Alex was on FIRE there and Anika did very, very well. But the vocal issues are there in a one-off, five minute number - thin and toppy, and he's struggling to hit the notes. Needs to think about taking all the songs down a step or two (Jagger and Plant have done this)... but then that depends on him having the range.

Except for IORR, which other songs did Mick 'take down a step or two'?

Bob Wills Is Still The King?

Long but interesting interview with Geddy and later Alex...

And now his interview with Alex (a lot more technical than Ged's was, but very interesting):

[www.youtube.com]

Alex mentions at one point that they have about 38-39 songs rehearsed and it'll be about 20-22 songs a night. So leaves a lot of room for variety over multiple 4 nights stands, which is very unRush.

This tour as long as it is…is a big money grabber.

Rick Beato continues his Rush journey. Terry Brown, Rush's George Martin:

[www.youtube.com]

Quote
babyblue
This tour as long as it is…is a big money grabber.

This is what ALL tours are in the modern era. That’s no longer got the avaricious connotation it nice had. Many will jump at the opportunity to see 66% of RUSH and they’re lucky for the chance.

Quote
Munichhilton

Quote
babyblue
This tour as long as it is…is a big money grabber.

This is what ALL tours are in the modern era. That’s no longer got the avaricious connotation it nice had. Many will jump at the opportunity to see 66% of RUSH and they’re lucky for the chance.

For many people 66% is better than nothing while others less than 100% is nothing. To each his or her own.

Quote
daspyknows

Quote
Munichhilton

Quote
babyblue
This tour as long as it is…is a big money grabber.

This is what ALL tours are in the modern era. That’s no longer got the avaricious connotation it nice had. Many will jump at the opportunity to see 66% of RUSH and they’re lucky for the chance.

For many people 66% is better than nothing while others less than 100% is nothing. To each his or her own.

I agree to each their own, though its interesting over the years to see the goal posts move. Whatever makes people happy, but what was once 100% or bust is now like 50% or bust. Or "as long as its the official name, I'm happy." Could be one member, legit or not, but people will still just want the opportunity to say "I saw _____" for instagram or bragging purposes. Then when THAT'S no longer an option, its tribute bands where the people will say "these guys are actually REALLY good. Better than when the official band was existing for the last few years." Or the argument that going to see the tribute band is "because I just want to have fun since the original band doesn't exist. Going out and seeing someone play the music is better than listening to a CD at my house."

All of which are valid opinions. But I do find it interesting how perspectives have changed over the years. Mostly just any way to keep one's nostalgia alive. But if it makes you happy, it makes you happy. Those people are right that eventually one day there will be no option to see ANY members of Rush, so now is better than then. Though I completely understand and don't disagree with those that would say without Neil its not Rush.

Quote
daspyknows

Quote
Munichhilton

Quote
babyblue
This tour as long as it is…is a big money grabber.

This is what ALL tours are in the modern era. That’s no longer got the avaricious connotation it nice had. Many will jump at the opportunity to see 66% of RUSH and they’re lucky for the chance.

For many people 66% is better than nothing while others less than 100% is nothing. To each his or her own.

When I would go and see RUSH, I was always locked in on Alex. Paid for tickets to be on his side in the first 10-15 rows. It was a great time with the two other fellas on that stage too…but heck, I was mostly there for 33% of RUSH.

Andy Klein for Rolling Stone

--

Rush reunion becomes a moving tribute to Neil Peart and Anika Nilles’ coronation at Kia Forum

By Joshua Rothkopf
June 8, 2026

[www.latimes.com]

[archive.ph]

--

Rush Returns: Tears, Doublenecks, Monster New Drummer

In Rush's first show without Neil Peart since 1974, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson make grown men cry, and new touring drummer Anika Nilles absolutely kills

By Brian Hiatt
June 8, 2026

[www.rollingstone.com]

--

Rush's comeback shines with Anika Nilles' brilliance

Rush returns with an emotional tour kickoff in L.A. We take you inside opening night with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and dazzling new drummer Anika Nilles.

Melissa Ruggieri
June 8, 2026

[www.usatoday.com]

Great show! Some of the fills sounded awkward but probably not her fault. Only saw them in 1986 and 2015. Basically a balanced retrospective show again but a lot of the songs were different, was happy to get Red Sector A and Vital Signs this time around.

The lot was already hopping when I turned up at 5:15 which never happens anymore, even on weekend shows.

Looks like a great show. Balanced set as you say. 8 songs pre Moving Pictures, 9 songs post Moving Pictures. Opening with Xanadu is very cool. Its never been one of my favorite Rush songs, but I know its a fan favorite and its very Rush to blow fans minds by opening with it. Pure 70s epicness start with the double necks. By Tor in the encore seemed like the only sole "deep cut" thrown in, with the rest of the set being largely (if not fully) culled from their 2011, 2013 and 2015 tours.

Definitely curious what other songs they have rehearsed. If they intend to play them all (maybe not all in this single stand though), we've only gotten half of what they've cooked up. I could guess what the 5 or so rotations could be, but really there are a lot of options. My guess is one in the encore and two in either set. By Tor could be a rotating 70s deep cut, 1 of each set could swap out Clockwork Angels songs with other Angels tracks, and then a 90s rotation slot in set 1 while an 80s rotation slot in set 2. Feels like that would cover the different eras pretty fairly.

Quote
Dan
Great show! Some of the fills sounded awkward but probably not her fault. Only saw them in 1986 and 2015. Basically a balanced retrospective show again but a lot of the songs were different, was happy to get Red Sector A and Vital Signs this time around.

The lot was already hopping when I turned up at 5:15 which never happens anymore, even on weekend shows.

The drum fills did not sound “awkward” whatsoever.

She was/is fantastic

I heard some many that there were some flubs on the drumming side, but by all accounts no one was being too harsh on her. Standard stuff for first show, and that overall she was great. Its not illegal to say there may have been some things she screwed up. Geddy and Alex did the same. Its accurate reporting, not online flaming. Everyone I heard loved her.

Quote
LHS1977

Quote
Dan
Great show! Some of the fills sounded awkward but probably not her fault. Only saw them in 1986 and 2015. Basically a balanced retrospective show again but a lot of the songs were different, was happy to get Red Sector A and Vital Signs this time around.

The lot was already hopping when I turned up at 5:15 which never happens anymore, even on weekend shows.

The drum fills did not sound “awkward” whatsoever.

Where I was some of them were clownishly boosted

Last but not least, Rick Beato with Anika, recorded back in TO during rehearsals.
Never realized just how involved setting up a drum kit can be.

The clip of Tom Sawyer I just saw almost made me cry, she was on fire, Geddy acknowledged it as well as the fans. Seems there was a lot of happiness there.

So far, 4 swaps night 2 during set 1. I'd personally have taken all of the choices from night 1, but cool to see that amount of variety. I'm expecting they'll have some more in set 2. With the swaps so far, we're at 26 songs of the rumored 38 or so they've rehearsed. I'm expecting we'll get to at least 28 tonight, if not 30.

An interesting question is will they have a set Night 1, Night 2, Night 3 set, or will it be totally up in the air each stand? I'm assuming it'll be up in the air, with the tentpoles remaining, but this is set to be the most variety Rush has ever had in their setlists.

Absolutely unbelievable second set. Maybe the best I've seen them play. 10 total swapped songs tonight. They've played 32 different songs in the two nights.

Mindblowing on paper, prepared to kill my best friend for backing out tonight and saying we'll go Thursday or Saturday lol. He and I would have adored this. These guys are absolutely crushing it.