Images & Words: Jon Fiala
For many years, Rush fans had come to terms with the idea that their favorite band was finished. The career-spanning R40 tour felt like the perfect conclusion to one of rock’s most celebrated careers. While occasional appearances such as the South Park anniversary concert and the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows provided brief reunions, the prospect of a full-scale tour seemed unlikely. After all, how could Rush continue without the legendary Neil Peart?
That changed last October when Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson shocked the music world with an announcement at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Missing the experience of performing together, the longtime bandmates revealed plans for a limited seven-city tour. For Rush fans, it was the realization of a dream many never expected to see fulfilled. The next question was obvious: who would take on one of the most intimidating jobs in rock history? It has been well documented that Geddy and Alex decided to go with relatively unknown Anika Nilles as the person given the impossible task of taking the seat behind them on stage. Most fans had agreed that if Geddy and Alex trusted her, they would too. The trio’s first performance at the Juno Awards a few weeks ago offered a glimpse of her abilities, though it hardly showcased the complexity of the band’s catalog. How would she perform in a full show playing the most challenging of songs?
What was initially intended as a short run, has since expanded into nearly 50 dates across North and South America and Europe. The tour launched this week with a four-night stand at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, the same venue that hosted Rush’s final concert on August 1, 2015. By the third night, fans had already consumed countless clips from the opening shows and learned that the band had assembled an arsenal of nearly 40 songs. Unlike previous Rush tours, where only a handful of songs rotated in and out of the setlist, this tour has featured dramatic changes from night to night, with as many as 14 songs swapped between performances. The question entering night three was simple: how different would this show be?
Walking into the Forum and seeing the massive wraparound screen surrounding the stage immediately revealed the scale of the production. As with recent Rush appearances, the evening began with a humorous pre-recorded film featuring Geddy and Alex portraying a variety of comedic characters. The video concluded with silhouettes of the two musicians emerging through a cloud of fog, each holding their signature double-neck guitars.
As the screen faded and revealed its inner framework, Geddy and Alex launched into the unmistakable opening of “Xanadu,” which has become, for the first time, the opening song throughout this tour. It is a fitting choice. For a few brief moments, the focus remained solely on the two surviving members before the giant screen lifted to reveal the full stage design, which resembled the rooftop of a downtown building—perhaps even a subtle nod to The Beatles’ ‘Get Back’ rooftop performance.
Both sets featured moving tributes to Neil Peart. The first incorporated archival audio of Neil reflecting on his life and musical journey before leading into “Bravado.” The second came later in the show during “Time Stand Still,” with Aimee Mann once again joining the band onstage, just as she had on the original 1987 recording. Both moments were deeply emotional and served as powerful reminders of Neil’s enduring presence. It was also a welcome touch to see original drummer John Rutsey recognized on the video screens later in the evening.
With two shows already completed, much of the band’s opening-night nervousness appeared to have subsided. While there were still a few minor musical hiccups and an early technical issue at the start of “2112,” the performance felt increasingly confident and relaxed.
Of the songs retained from the first two nights, staples such as “Subdivisons,” “The Spirit of Radio,” and “Tom Sawyer” were expected inclusions. Night three’s unique highlight, however, came at the beginning of the second set, when the band performed Moving Pictures in its entirety and in sequence. For longtime fans, it was a special treat. The addition of “The Camera Eye,” a personal favorite, made the segment even more rewarding. The only other song unique to night three was “New World Man” from Signals. With one Forum show remaining, fans can only wonder what additional surprises might appear before the tour heads to other cities.
Throughout the evening, the most striking aspect of the performance was the visible joy shared by Geddy and Alex. Whether exchanging smiles during songs or simply looking across the stage at one another, it was clear why they chose to return: they genuinely missed playing together. Their frequent interactions with Anika Nilles further reinforced the sense of camaraderie developing onstage.
One of the biggest concerns heading into the tour was the condition of Geddy Lee’s voice. During previous tours, some of the higher notes had become increasingly difficult to reach. On this night, however, he exceeded expectations. Songs such as “Freewill” remain incredibly demanding vocally, yet Geddy delivered them with confidence and remarkable strength.
Anika Nilles answered every question emphatically. Nilles played with confidence, precision, and respect for Neil Peart’s original parts, retaining many of his signature fills while adding touches of her own personality. The audience responded enthusiastically to standout moments during “Subdivisions,” “Tom Sawyer,” and numerous other songs throughout the night. Earning the approval of such a devoted fanbase on a stage of this magnitude is no small accomplishment, and Nilles proved herself more than worthy of the challenge.
The fourth member of the touring lineup, keyboardist and vocalist Loren Gold, deserves recognition as well. While Geddy continued to handle many of the signature keyboard moments, including the “Tom Sawyer” Moog solo and the iconic synthesizer passages in “Subdivisions,” Gold assumed many supporting keyboard responsibilities that allowed Geddy greater freedom to move around the stage. His backing vocals also added depth to the band’s live sound. Seeing four musicians onstage under the Rush banner was initially unusual, but Gold fit seamlessly into the performance and contributed significantly to its success.
Rush has returned in a way few thought possible. More importantly, they have done so with respect for their past while embracing a new chapter. If the first week of the 50 Something Tour is any indication, the road ahead should be fascinating to watch. What comes after April 2027 remains unknown, but for now, Rush fans can simply enjoy the fact that this remarkable band is back onstage once again.
Night 3 Setlist: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/rush/2026/kia-forum-inglewood-ca-534eb799.html
