Rush Returns to the Stage: A Triumphant Tour Kick-Off Honoring Neil Peart's Legacy
After years of anticipation and profound reflection, progressive rock titans Rush have embarked on their first tour since the passing of legendary drummer Neil Peart. With Anika Nilles stepping into the formidable role, the band, led by *...
Last October, Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson announced their first tour since prog-rock legend Neil Peart passed away in 2020. It had been over a decade since Lee and Lifeson played music from Rush's catalog. After some "serious soul-searching," they decided it was time to celebrate their band's 50-plus-year history and pay tribute to Peart.
The formidable task of filling those legendary shoes falls to Anika Nilles, formerly of Jeff Beck's band. Her live debut with Rush occurred at the Juno Awards in March. However, the true kick-off of their North American tour unfolded last night at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Rush delivered a sprawling 24-song set across two acts, punctuated by heartfelt collage tributes to Peart.
The evening commenced with a hilarious introductory video, a whimsical quest by fans to locate Rush. Along their journey, they encountered a parade of peculiar and significant figures from the band's lore: Lee as a sausage vendor, animated birds embodying Lee and Lifeson, and Lifeson as a donut-distributing military officer. A standout moment saw Paul Rudd and Jason Segel reprising their roles from 2009's I Love You, Man, portraying their classic Rush-loving characters, reportedly "trapped" in the "Rush house" for 15 years. The South Park cast also made a cameo, seen rehearsing as "Lil' Rush."
The music officially began with "Xanadu" from 1977's A Farewell to Kings, marking the first time this epic track had ever opened a Rush concert. The meticulously crafted setlist spanned 13 albums, resurrecting several fan favorites for the first time since the early 2010s, including "Limelight," "Bravado," "Freewill," "Caravan," "La Villa Strangiato," "Vital Signs," "Dreamline," "Red Sector A," "The Garden," and "Time Stand Still." For the latter, the acclaimed Aimee Mann joined them onstage, a poignant first live performance of her vocal contribution.
The encore delivered "By-Tor & The Snow Dog," unheard live since 2004, before culminating with the enduring "Working Man." The night concluded, as it began, with a final, resonant tribute to Peart.
Check out moments from the show below:
Some moments from Rush tonight... They opened with Xanadu!!!! You could feel the love and I am still in a daze.... Rush is back to save Rock n Roll.. pic.twitter.com/bPImNvlSJz — Brian James (@VoodooHipster)
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