Rush is finally returning to Cleveland for a highly anticipated two-night stand, breaking a quiet drought that has lingered since the Clockwork Angels tour visited Quicken Loans Arena in the fall of 2012. For a city that holds such a mythical place in the band's history, it is surprising to look at the tour archives and realize they have only performed here 14 times. That is a relatively modest tally when compared to the heavy rotation other major American markets have seen over the years. But anyone reading this knows that raw statistics completely miss the point. A Cleveland gig is never just another stop on the itinerary. It is the ultimate U.S. homecoming. The roots of this relationship run deep into 1974. There is no need to rehash the legend of Donna Halper at WMMS, because that pivotal moment is already etched into the collective memory of this fanbase. Instead, it is worth looking at what that single spark created. Because Cleveland essentially broke the band south of t...

It’s been over a decade since Banger Films gave us Beyond the Lighted Stage, and now directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn are returning to the Rush universe with a deeply personal new project. According to official festival press, Neil Peart: No One's Disciple is an upcoming 106-minute feature documentary that chronicles our beloved Professor's early struggles as a young musician and his meteoric rise with the band. Sourced from archival footage, personal interviews, and remembrances from those closest to him, the film aims to explore the man beyond the drum kit, his life as a loyal friend, his prolific writing, and his profound journey through grief in the late 1990s following the tragic loss of his daughter and wife. Despite the heavy subject matter, early notes from TIFF promise the documentary’s vibe is ultimately "more joyful than mournful," celebrating his legacy with plenty of air-drumming moments. The musical centerpiece of the film is sure to be an em...

Rush touring drummer Anika Nilles is featured on the cover of the September 2026 issue of Modern Drummer . This feature marks her second cover story for the publication, following her first appearance in June 2017. Written by Modern Drummer publisher David Frangioni, the article titled "Putting in The Work and Finding the Feeling of Rush" chronicles her journey from her early days as a YouTube drum artist and touring drummer for Jeff Beck to taking on the drum throne for Rush alongside Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Before her first playing session with Geddy and Alex, Anika had three weeks to prepare an initial list of six songs: "Limelight," "Tom Sawyer," "Caravan," "Subdivisions," "The Spirit of Radio," and "YYZ," with "Red Barchetta" added during their second rehearsal. To learn Neil Peart's parts, Anika muted the drums on stereo track stems so she could focus on locking in with the basslines. She ...

Just when it seemed the schedule for the Fifty Something Tour couldn't hold another single night, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have expanded their anniversary run with four brand-new North American arena stops. Joined on stage by drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold, Lerxst and Dirk are giving fans in Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania another shot to catch this historic celebration live. What makes these additions particularly interesting is how they shake up the tour's established format. Up until now, the Fifty Something run has strictly favored multi-night stands. Most major stops feature either full four-night residencies or back-to-back two-night runs in each venue. These four show dates mark a distinct break from that mold as standalone, single-night arena appearances:    Thursday, October 1, 2026: Toyota Center – Houston, TX    Wednesday, October 21, 2026: Enterprise Center – St. Louis, MO    Friday, October 23, 2...

We are now 25 dates into the Fifty Something tour, and the momentum continues to build with every stop. The band recently wrapped up a packed show in Detroit, adding to a long string of sold out arenas across the country. Fans and critics continue to offer widespread praise for the current run, with reviewers consistently noting Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson's enduring technical skills and stage presence. The production remains as sharp as ever, featuring the new Xanadudes intro film and the familiar South Park introduction for Tom Sawyer. The consensus among the community is that the band is delivering a highly polished and engaging performance every single night. The most actively discussed aspect of the tour remains the highly unpredictable set lists. Over the course of 25 shows, we've documented 14 unique variations. Geddy and Alex previously mentioned they rehearsed a pool of 40 songs, and they are certainly putting that extensive catalog to use right now. While they ori...

Chicago brought the fire. Madison Square Garden brought the history. But Toronto? Toronto is home. Tomorrow night, the "Fifty Something" tour pulls into Scotiabank Arena to kick off a highly anticipated four-night residency in the very city where the magic began. For fifty-plus years, a Rush show in Toronto has been more than just a concert; it’s a family reunion. Looking back through our newly rebuilt Tour Archives , the sheer volume of history the band has in this city is staggering. We’ve tracked their evolution from tearing the roof off Massey Hall in the 1970s, to the legendary multi-night stands at Maple Leaf Gardens, all the way to what we collectively thought was their final hometown bow during the R40 tour in 2015. Every era of Rush is permanently woven into the fabric of Toronto. But as the house lights go down tomorrow night, the emotional weight in the arena will be undeniable. A Toronto homecoming without Neil Peart behind the kit is a reality none of us eve...

When Neil Peart passed away in January 2020, it felt like the closing of a door. For millions of fans, the loss of "The Professor" didn't just mark the end of Rush; it felt like a grim overture for the years that immediately followed. Looking back, it is hard not to draw a parallel between the silencing of his drums and the moment the world seemingly spun off its axis. A pandemic isolated us. The country fractured as we retreated into our own corners, and the simple human decency we used to take for granted seemed to get lost in the shuffle of a chaotic, increasingly angry world. Peart, a lifelong champion of reason and thoughtful connection, would have likely watched the growing divides with a heavy heart. Neil died, Rush ceased to exist, and we collectively slipped into a deep, dark hole. For over a decade, the idea of a Rush tour felt impossible, and after 2020, it became unthinkable. We had accepted that the music was relegated to our stereos and our memories. Bu...

The wait is finally over. Forty-five years after three guys from Willowdale first staked their claim on the world's most famous arena, the boys are back in town (and it's finally my turn to see the return of Rush live!) When Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson take the stage tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden for the first of four sold-out shows on the "Fifty Something" tour, it will be more than just a triumphant return to New York City. It’s the continuation of a 45-year legacy at the venue that mirrors the evolution of the band itself. This week’s four-night stand (July 28, 30, August 1, and 3) will push Rush's total number of MSG performances to 17. But before we look at what Anika Nilles and Loren Gold will bring to the rhythm and synth sections tomorrow night, let's look back at the history Geddy, Alex, and the Professor built in this legendary room. May 18, 1981: Moving Pictures Tour The debut. After years of grinding it out on the road, Rush finall...

Tonight marks the long-awaited kickoff of Rush’s highly anticipated four-night residency in the Windy City. After a stressful few weeks of uncertainty following the brief tour hiatus due to Geddy’s recent illness, word from soundcheck is that the boys are back in rare form, fully recharged, and ready to tear up the stage. Chicago has always held a legendary status in Rush touring lore, and this week’s stand only cements that bond. Tonight’s opener marks the band’s 31st performance in the city. That rich history makes Chicago the third most visited city in Rush’s entire touring career; sitting just behind Atlanta at number two, and, of course, their beloved hometown of Toronto holding down the top spot. For those of you holding tickets to any of these four consecutive dates, expect an absolute masterclass. If the early legs of this tour were any indication, the energy in the room tonight is going to be electric as the community welcomes them back to the stage healthy, loud, and firin...

After a brief, stressful hiccup that forced a temporary pause on the Fifty Something run, Rush officially returns to the road tonight, Saturday, July 11, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. As you all know, the original June 30 date had to be pushed back after Geddy contracted both bronchitis and laryngitis. Thankfully, his recovery was quick, the gears are well-oiled, and the band is ready to resume what has already been an incredibly emotional, triumphant tour. If you’re holding tickets from the June 30 postponement, they are fully valid for tonight’s show. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the magic starts at 7:30 PM sharp. For those of you who haven't caught a show on this tour yet, seeing Geddy and Alex back on stage together is everything we hoped it would be. While no one will ever replace the Professor, the band has done a phenomenal job honoring Neil’s legacy while keeping the sonic power of these tracks alive. The expanded live lineup has been firing on all cylinders, bri...

Rush have just announced that the final two Texas dates that were to take place tonight (June 30th) and July 2nd have now been postponed due to Geddy contracting both laryngitis and bronchitis. Here's the full message from the band: To our fans, We are deeply sorry to share that we must postpone our June 30 and July 2 shows. Geddy has been diagnosed with laryngitis and bronchitis. After being evaluated by his doctors, he has been advised that he needs additional time to rest and recover before returning to the stage. This is incredibly disappointing for all of us. We know many of you have made travel plans and have been counting down the days to these shows. Please know this decision was not made lightly. After more than 50 years of touring, we’ve always believed that if we’re going to step on stage, we owe you the very best performance we can give—and right now, that simply isn’t possible. We’re grateful to everyone involved for helping us quickly find new dates to celebra...

The highly anticipated "Fifty Something" tour has officially launched last week in grand fashion, with Geddy, Alex, drummer Anika Nilles, and keyboardist Loren Gold taking over the Kia Forum in Los Angeles for a massive four-night opening run. It had been 11 years since the band graced that same stage to conclude the R40 tour, and the production pulled no punches for this momentous return. Delivering the kind of visual spectacle fans have come to expect, the light and stage show were truly impressive, proving that the band’s legendary live production remains as sharp as ever. Musically, the opening run kept the faithful constantly guessing. Rather than settling into a static routine, each night presented a significantly different setlist, with less than 50% of the songs repeating across the four shows. Fans were treated to astonishing deep cuts and tour debuts with the sheer variety of the setlists during this LA residency set an exhilarating tone for the rest of the tou...