Rush Kicks Off Fifty Something Reunion Tour With 1st Full Show Since 2015

Rush returned to the stage on Sunday to launch their Fifty Something Tour at Kia Forum near Los Angeles. Founding members bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson were joined by drummer Anika Nilles for a 24-song performance heavy on songs from the ’80s.

The concert marked Rush’s first headlining show since they completed their R40 Tour at the same venue on August 1, 2015. Nilles stood in for legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart, who who died of brain cancer in January of 2020. “We’re here to celebrate over 50 years of music that [Alex Lifeson], myself and the great Neil Peart made together. We’re here to pay tribute to Neil,” Lee told the crowd early in the night in reference to the late drummer.

After a lengthy “Where’s Rush?” video starring actors Jason Segel and Paul Rudd greeted fans, the band tore into “Xanadu.” The performance was the first time the track from A Farewell To Kings was used to open. “Limelight” and “Far Cry” followed, with the latter including introductions of Nilles and touring keyboardist Loren Gold. Next up were “Subdivisions” and “Freewill” to lead into a video montage honoring Neil Peart.

Geddy Lee dedicated the ensuing “Bravado” to Peart. Rush then rolled through “Caravan,” “La Villa Strangiato” and “Vital Signs” before punctuating the first half of the show with the beloved “The Spirit Of Radio.”

Rush resumed the show with “2112: Overture / The Temples of Syrinx / Grand Finale” to get the second set underway. The band then pulled “Distant Early Warning” from 1984’s Grace Under Pressure, “Red Barchetta” off 1981’s Moving Pictures and “Dreamline” from 1991’s Roll The Bones.

“Natural Science” was then surrounded on both sides by videos. The post-song footage consisted of another collage in tribute to Neil Peart. From there, Rush welcomed Aimee Mann to sing her part in “Time Stand Still,” a song she recorded with the band for 1987’s Hold Your Fire. Last night was the first time Mann performed the song live with Rush.

After Mann’s appearance, Rush delivered performances of “Red Sector A,” “YYZ” and “The Garden.” Next, a video featuring the South Park cast was played to introduce the “Tom Sawyer” that closed the main set. Rush dusted off early number “By-Tor And The Snow Dog” for the first time since 2004 to begin the encore. Another song from the band’s formative years, “Working Man,” was tacked on to close out the concert.

Rush has over 87 additional Fifty Something Tour dates confirmed through 2027. The run crosses North America through the end of the year before hitting cities in South America and Europe next year.

Watch fan-shot video from Rush’s Fifty Something Tour opener at Kia Forum below: