Rush Announces 2026 Tour, Marking First Performances Since Neil Peart’s Death
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A celebration of over five decades of progressive rock is on the horizon as Rush prepares to return to the stage for a limited tour in 2026, the first since the passing of legendary drummer Neil Peart in 2020. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, both 72, will embark on a seven-city run across the US, Canada, and Mexico, kicking off June 7th in Los Angeles.
A Difficult Decision, Driven by Passion
The decision to tour again was not taken lightly, according to Lee. “It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil,” he stated. “A lifetime’s worth of songs that we had put our cumulative hearts and souls into writing, recording and playing together onstage. And so, after all that has gone down since that last show, Alex and I have done some serious soul searching and come to the decision that we fucking miss it, and that it’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of Rush music.”
The band’s last performances were during a 40th-anniversary tour in 2015, a period marked by internal division regarding the band’s future. Lee previously expressed a desire to continue touring, while Peart reportedly felt a sense of completion after fulfilling a commitment to 30 shows. “Neil was getting happier and Alex and I were getting sadder,” Lee recalled in a 2023 interview, “because we really wanted to bring the tour to fans around the world, but Neil had agreed to do 30 shows. He felt as if he was approaching liberation, so we were quite divided by the end.”
Honoring Peart’s Legacy with a New Percussionist
Acknowledging Peart’s “irreplaceable” role, the band has announced Anika Nilles as their new drummer. Lee previously lauded Nilles’ talent, noting her work on the final tour with Jeff Beck. “I heard this drummer the other day, I think her name is Anika [Nilles]. She played on the last Jeff Beck tour and I thought was she was terrific.”
The selection process was unconventional. Lee explained that Nilles was brought to Canada for an “experiment,” not a formal audition, as the band wasn’t initially certain about touring. “No matter who the drummer is, they all have their own perception of what it’s like to play a Rush song, and they may not line up with the way we play Rush,” Lee said. “So whoever we were going to choose was going to be difficult, and there was going to be like a translation.” He affirmed that Nilles has successfully navigated that challenge, capturing both the technical precision and the emotional depth of Rush’s music. “A lot of drummers can play Neil’s drum fills, but to combine that with the feel of those songs so that it feels the way you guys want to hear those songs – that’s work, that requires work. So she’s winning.”
A Vast Repertoire and Expanded Sound
Fans can anticipate a comprehensive setlist spanning the band’s 19 studio albums, including classics and deeper cuts. Rush originally formed in Toronto in 1968, achieving significant commercial success with 11 albums reaching the Top 10 in the US, culminating in 2012’s Clockwork Angels, which peaked at No. 2.
The duo also plans to incorporate additional musicians to enhance their live sound. “Before we hit the stage, we also hope to add another musician or two to expand our sound a wee bit and free up Alex and I, in order to show off some of our new fancy dance steps,” Lee quipped.
Despite previously dismissing the possibility of performing Rush material without Peart – stating in 2020, “That’s finished, right? That’s over” – Lee’s perspective evolved. This tour represents a poignant tribute to Peart’s enduring legacy while allowing Lee and Lifeson to reconnect with their music and their devoted fanbase. The 2026 tour is poised to be a momentous occasion for Rush enthusiasts worldwide, a celebration of a remarkable musical journey and a testament to the enduring power of their artistry.
