RUSH is back in the “Limelight.”
After 11 years away from the road, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will return to center stage in summer 2026 on their North American ‘Fifty Something Tour.’
While out and about on the short 11-concert run, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and co. are slated to headline two nights at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. They’ll be at the Knicks and Rangers’ home on:
Tuesday, July 28
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 30
7:30 p.m.
In addition to being the Canadian group’s first set of gigs since 2015, these arena shows will also be RUSH’s first since legendary drummer Neil Peart passed in January 2020.
According to Consequence, “since Peart’s passing, Lee has been more open to touring as RUSH again, while Lifeson has been resistant. However, the two reached a mutual decision to tour again with the blessing of Peart’s family.”
German drummer Anika Nilles will step into Peart’s sizable shoes. She first made a splash online in the early ’10s and has put together a solid resume touring with Jeff Beck and releasing solo albums with Nevell following her breakout.
“…life is full of surprises, and we’ve…been introduced to another remarkable person; an incredible drummer and musician who is adding another chapter to our story while continuing her own fascinating musical journey,” Lee, 72, shared. “Her name is Anika Nilles, and we could not be more excited to introduce her to our loyal and dedicated RUSH fanbase, whom, we know, will give her every chance to live up to that near impossible role. 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.
Lerxst, Anika and myself, along with many of our longstanding crew members have been hard at work rehearsing and designing the kind of RUSH show you’ve grown accustomed to expect from us. We dearly hope you will come along and help us celebrate our history together.”
Prior to this tour, Lee went on a brief jaunt promoting his 2023 memoir “My Effin’ Life.”
“Lee (came) off as a really sweet, humble and thoughtful individual — sensitive. He held back some tears speaking about the death of Neil Peart, which was really touching,” The Post reported about his stop at NYC’s Beacon Theatre.
Fans Rats can purchase tickets for all upcoming RUSH shows on sites like Vivid Seats; the official on-sale for the ‘Fifty Something Tour’ is Friday, Oct. 17.
Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.
RUSH tour schedule 2025
A complete calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below.
RUSH set list
Lee and Lifeson’s most recent gig went down on Aug. 1, 2015 at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. According to Set List FM, here’s what the prog rockers took to the stage that evening.
Set I
01.) “The Anarchist”
02.) “Headlong Flight”
03.) “Far Cry”
04.) “The Main Monkey Business”
05.) “One Little Victory”
06.) “Animate”
07.) “Roll the Bones”
08.) “Distant Early Warning”
09.) “Losing It”
10.) “Subdivisions”
Set II
11.) “Tom Sawyer”
12.) “Red Barchetta”
13.) “The Spirit of Radio”
14.) “Jacob’s Ladder”
15.) “Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres Part I: Prelude”
16.) “Cygnus X-1”
17.) “Closer to the Heart”
18.) “Xanadu”
19.) “2112 Part I: Overture”
20.) “2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx”
21.) “2112 Part IV: Presentation”
22.) “2112 Part VII: Grand Finale”
Encore
23.) “Lakeside Park”
24.) “Anthem”
25.) “What You’re Doing”
26.) “Working Man”
About this tour, Lee released this statement:
“It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of RUSH alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil. 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 f—ing miss it, and that it’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of RUSH music. So in 2026 my BFF Lerxst (aka Alex Lifeson) and I are going to hit the road once again to pay tribute to our past and to Neil by performing a vast selection of RUSH songs in a handful of cities. No small task, because as we all know Neil was irreplaceable.”
Geddy Lee memoir
As noted above, Lee embarked on a fall 2023 tour in support of his memoir “My Effin’ Life.”
“I’ve never lived my life looking anywhere but forward, which is why I resisted doing this kind of thing for so long,” Lee shared in a statement ahead of the trek.
“But you need a lot more determination to proceed in the world of music without the comfort of your bandmates, and I can only hope that finishing this book will release me to return to what I do and love best.”
If you’d like to read his humorous and heartfelt look back, click here to find “My Effin’ Life.”
Anika Nilles
Nilles, 42, hails from Aschaffenburg and began drumming at six.
Her first original compositions “Wild Boy” (2013) and “Alter Ego” (2014) led to a tour, debut album and a 2022 European run alongside Jeff Beck.
To get a taste of her jazzy and refined yet explosive sound, you can find her discography here.
Carrie Nuttall-Peart statement
Ahead of the tour, Peart’s widow Carrie Nuttall-Peart and his daughter OIivia released a statement regarding the ‘Fifty Something Tour.’ Here’s what the two shared:
“We are thrilled to support the ‘Fifty Something’ tour, celebrating a band whose music has resonated and inspired fans for generations, and to honor Neil’s extraordinary legacy as both a drummer and lyricist. Neil’s musicianship was singular. Compositions of intricacy and power that expanded what rhythm itself could express. As both drummer and lyricist, he was irreplaceable. Inimitable in his artistry, and unmatched in the depth and imagination he brought to the lyrics that inspired and moved so many, he profoundly shaped how fans connected with him and the band, giving voice and meaning to their own lives. As the band enters this new chapter, it promises to be truly unforgettable. We are excited to see how their new vision unfolds, and to hear this legendary music played live once again.”
Huge rockers on tour in 2025-26
If summer 2026 seems like a lifetime away, here are five epic acts you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• Yes
• Styx
Who else is pounding the pavement? Take a look at our list of all the biggest classic rockers on tour in 2025 to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
